The Chinese city of Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province made headlines on social media when it announced a new campaign offering free scratch-off lottery tickets to newlyweds as a form of blessing. Joked about by many online users as a shortcut to instant wealth, the tickets were seen by many as a practical wedding gift.

According to media reports, starting from March 1, the civil affairs bureaus across the city will offer every couple who obtains a marriage certificate in Xi’an a free scratch-card lottery ticket worth 10 yuan (about US$1.4) as a gift.

A staff member of the Xi'an Civil Affairs Bureau said the aim of the joint venture was to offer blessings to the newlywed couples while promoting the welfare lottery, since the local welfare lottery center and the civil affairs bureau are part of the same system. Every county and district in Xi'an has been allocated a certain number of lottery tickets.

Similar activities have been held in other cities in China and have been welcomed by online users.