Beijing: A peculiar incident has been reported from China in which a workplace lottery gone wrong has resurfaced online. In 2019, during a year-end company party in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, an employee won a jackpot of over 6 million yuan (approximately Rs 7 crore) through a lottery organized by the company. However, the joy was short-lived as the company demanded that the winner return the prize money to distribute it equally among all attendees.
The annual event, organized to celebrate the year’s achievements, saw the company distributing over 500 lottery tickets to employees to enhance the festive atmosphere. When one of the employees struck gold by winning the top prize, it created a buzz within the workplace, with some employees joking about the unexpected windfall on social media. “Come join our company, six million lottery wins are just a regular perk!” one employee quipped online.
However, the festive mood quickly soured. The company claimed that the jackpot amount was too large to be handed to a single person and insisted that the prize should be shared among all attendees. When the employee refused to comply, the dispute escalated and local police had to step in.
Shocking revelations
Authorities from Yinzhou district described the issue as a civil dispute and recommended that both parties resolve the matter through legal channels. However, the situation became even more controversial when details of the lottery process came to light.
It was revealed that the company had held the lottery draw two days before the tickets were distributed to employees, as reported by South China Morning Post. The finance department was reportedly instructed to ensure no winning ticket was included in the batch handed out. Due to an oversight, however, the winning ticket accidentally made its way into circulation.
Reactions on social media
As the incident resurfaced on Chinese social media platforms ahead of the Spring Festival—a time when companies in China host similar events—it has sparked widespread outrage. Many users criticized the company’s actions as unethical and unfair.
“Once a gift is given, there is no taking it back. That is common sense,” commented one user. Another called out the company’s behavior, saying, “The boss pretends to be generous by distributing tickets and then tries to cash in when someone wins. So shameless.”
Some speculated that the renewed interest in the story might be an attempt to boost lottery ticket sales ahead of the festive season, while others mocked the company, predicting its downfall. “Treating employees this way? Bankruptcy must be just around the corner,” one person stated.
