BEIJING, April 3 -- China has banned unauthorized online lottery sales, citing risks to lottery players' interests

The Ministry of Finance pointed to "rampant irregularities" in online lottery sales and said that lottery sales organizations have also entrusted Internet companies with sales services without official authorization.

According to a statement, some Internet companies have even sold fraudulent lottery tickets.

Online lottery sales must now be officially approved by authorities including the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the General Administration of Sport and the Ministry of Finance.