A man from Dezhou, Shandong province has captured the attention of social media and news outlets across China after winning a 10.17 million yuan (US$1.4 million) lottery in December 2024 and reportedly spending a large portion of his winnings on gambling and female live-streamers, leaving his wife with nothing. The scandal has sparked outrage online, drawn legal attention, and led to the wife filing for divorce, highlighting the ethical and social consequences of sudden wealth.
Who is the Dezhou lottery winner sparking outrage by tipping millions to live-streamers
The man, whose identity remains undisclosed, initially shared his winnings with his wife, surnamed Yuan, giving her a bank card alleged to contain 3 million yuan (US$420,000). Out of trust, Yuan did not check the account balance, keeping the card in a drawer. Soon after, the man’s behavior changed drastically: he stopped sharing money with his wife, spent his days gambling, and tipped female live-streamers millions of yuan, including a single tip of 1.2 million yuan (US$168,000).In July, he was discovered taking one live-streamer on a four-day trip, exposing the extent of his spending and personal involvement. Chat records obtained by Yuan revealed he addressed the streamer as “honey” while referring to himself as “hubby.” Yuan later found the bank card had no funds, prompting her to file for divorce and publicly reveal the situation to Henan TV. Social media users have expressed widespread outrage, criticizing his irresponsible behavior and ethical misconduct.
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Legal and social implications of lottery mismanagementUnder Chinese law, lottery winnings acquired during marriage are considered joint marital assets. According to lawyer Xi Junqi of Henan Zhongdi Law Firm, if tipping to live-streamers far exceeds normal family spending, the wife can petition the court to exclude him from sharing common assets. If the tipping is linked to an immoral relationship, she may also request the return of the money.The incident has sparked broader discussions online about the influence of sudden wealth on relationships, the ethics of excessive tipping in online streaming culture, and the responsibilities of lottery winners to their families. As the legal proceedings continue, the Dezhou man’s identity remains private, but the scandal serves as a cautionary tale for the consequences of reckless financial behavior.The Dezhou lottery scandal highlights how sudden financial windfalls can disrupt personal relationships and attract public scrutiny. While the man’s identity remains unknown, his actions, lavishing millions on live-streamers while neglecting his marital obligations, have made him the focus of national attention, legal debate, and social media outrage, illustrating the ethical responsibilities that come with significant wealth.
