Includes video report
To pick up his giant check worth 520 million yuan (US$84.8 million) in lottery winnings, a Shanxi man disguised himself in a silly cartoon bear costume yesterday morning, providing perhaps the most delightful-looking press conference of the year.
The 520 million RMB issued by Shanxi province's welfare lottery is the third largest jackpot handed out in Chinese history (though not the highest handed to a bear). The winner said that he spent between 20,000 to 30,000 RMB (US$3,250 - US$4,900) each year on lottery tickets. Hopefully, he will spend at least some of his winnings on honey.
Dressing up in ridiculous costumes in order to conceal one's identity while receiving over-sized lottery checks is actually a Chinese tradition dating back 25 or so years. The lottery winner's image is typically broadcast on local TV, reaching a bunch of nearby people who could really use some cash, including: family, friends, enemies, and the government. So, winners take the proper precaution of hiding themselves inside furry costumes, and the style of the costume has become a thing.
In August, Mickey Mouse took home a cool 398 million yuan. A panda hit it big in 2011 with a 565 million yuan jackpot.
Last month in Shanghai, 7.8 million yuan went unclaimed when the winner presumably spent too much time debating what costume to wear to his press conference.
VIDEO: Watch raw footage from the bear's press conference
PHOTOS: The bear did a nice job claiming the jackpot
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That is a scary looking bear costume. Looks like something from American Horror story.
Scary or not, this guy is shrewd, get up there looking like a clown and people were probably more interested in his disguise than focusing on how much he was walking away with. What l see are sucker reporters being taken for a ride.
Congratulations Panda. .
I could think of a scarier bear costume. I'm sure anybody would wear anything to collect their prize in peace
Can one wear a costume to collect their jackpot prize in America?
Wow!!! GReat idea!!! Nice Win Sir!!! hmmm Maybe I would go as Jason (Halloween movies)!!! lol
Great question, The Professor! The answer depends on what the back of each lottery headquarter's on-line ticket print-out reads. For example, in Illinois, there is a sentence that reads winner "Grants permission to use her/his name and likeness in Lottery Advertising." Thus, if ticket purchased in Illinois no clown nose, big dark sun glasses, obvious wig, or costume allowed if prize win ticket holder wants the $$$!
Journalism/Reporting is a career for many people in many countries. These particular reporters in China understand that what is allowed in their country isn't always allowed in other countries. However, this understanding/following the rules doesn't make a journalist/reporter a sucker or having been 'taken for a ride.'
That's funny. I wonder if they make a fortune cookie costume.
I'd like to see someone show up in a Maneki-neko costume
Awesome story
l am well aware that reporters & journalists do this for a living..What you fail to notice is my statement " what l see!"
** meaning it's an opinion or my pov.
I understand,Mr. Bear, I understand. Congrats.
noise-gate, I thought this reply would have explained "what you see" since I don't know what that is (this time or perhaps all times). Is it something that you see within the pictures?
What do l see? Well looking up at the sky at this present moment l " see" rain clouds forming, l could be right or it may not rain at all this evening.
What l am saying is that l do not want to get into a pissing match with you. Is that definitive enough for you?