(Yicai Global) Sept. 4 -- China has outlawed sales of online lotteries with the release of revised rules on the market, which take effect from next month.

Authorities have made it illegal for the first time to sell welfare or sports lotteries online, the finance ministry said in a statement. The government is unlikely to allow such sales again any time soon.

A representative of the ministry indicated that neither companies nor individuals should take part in any internet lottery sales without ministry approval, and none has received any such endorsement to date.

China's lottery sector is a state monopoly. The civil affairs ministry and sports administration sell such products in brick-and-mortar outlets with the approval and supervision of the finance ministry.

Internet lottery sales used to grow exponentially, doubling in 2014 to CNY85 billion (USD12.5 billion). But sales were suspended with a carpet ban in early 2015. Online platforms and apps have still cashed in at certain times such as during major sports events like this year's World Cup.

Some businesses have embraced online sales as a new business model, but the new rule makes clear that unauthorized internet lottery sales are illegal and must be stopped, Su Guojing, founder of China Lottery Industry Salon told Yicai Global.

Editor: William Clegg