BEIJING - China's lottery sales fell for a fifth straight month in June, slumping 40.7 percent year on year, official data showed.

Lottery sales totaled 34.77 billion yuan ($5.05 billion) last month, down from 35.52 billion yuan in May, according to a statement from the Ministry of Finance.

The drastic fall in lottery sales last month was largely due to a high comparison base, as the 21st FIFA World Cup drove up sales of sports lottery last year.

Sales of welfare lottery tickets declined 16.6 percent from one year earlier to 15.92 billion yuan, while sports lottery sales dove 52.3 percent to 18.85 billion yuan.

Lottery sales fell 13.3 percent year on year to 212.6 billion yuan during the first half, the statement said.

Under China's lottery management rules, money from lottery ticket sales is used for administrative expenses, public welfare projects and prize money.