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Stephy Zhang

A gambler in mainland China has turned US$7 into nearly US$270,000 after predicting the correct scores for four World Cup matches, including Turkey’s dramatic last-second win over the USA.
The unnamed punter in Guilin, who was taking part in the country’s sports lottery, had selected group matches for the bet, but needed the dramatic finish in the final game to win the prize.
Having chosen Ecuador to beat Germany 2-1, the Netherlands to down Tunisia 3-1 and Japan and Sweden to draw 1-1, everything was riding on Turkey’s clash with the co-hosts in Los Angeles.
And eight minutes into time added on, substitute Kaan Ayhan scored with the last kick of the game to make it 3-2, exactly as the gambler had guessed.
Images of the redeemed ticket, worth 1.827 million yuan (US$268,896), circulated on Chinese social media, drawing widespread envy among netizens.
According to the local China Sports Lottery centre, the Guangxi-based bettor hit the maximum possible fixed payout using a popular accumulator system known as “M-chuan-1”.
The rules of this multi-bet system dictate that all selected match outcomes must be predicted correctly to win, and a single incorrect guess invalidates the ticket.
The winning ticket was a 25-fold wager with a total stake of 50 yuan, predicting four World Cup matches played on June 26.
The winner reportedly claimed the prize at the local sports lottery centre earlier this week.
Launched in 1994, the China Sports Lottery offers betting options across all 104 matches during this World Cup, serving as a legal form of gambling on the mainland that funds public welfare, sports development, and social causes.


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Ozan Kabak (right) celebrates as Kaan Ayhan’s goal seals a famous 3-2 win over the United States.  Photo: Getty Images

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Football

Punter correctly predicted outcome of four matches on June 26, including Turkey’s remarkable victory over the USA


Punter correctly predicted outcome of four matches on June 26, including Turkey’s remarkable victory over the USA.


Turkey winner against USA helps World Cup fan in China turn US$7 bet into US$270,000

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Punter correctly predicted outcome of four matches on June 26, including Turkey’s remarkable victory over the USA

Punter correctly predicted outcome of four matches on June 26, including Turkey’s remarkable victory over the USA