Apple has said it removed the lottery apps in order to comply with tightening regulation and criticism from state media.

Apple said: “We have already removed many apps and developers for trying to distribute illegal gambling apps on our App Store, and we are vigilant in our efforts to find these and stop them from being on the App Store.”

The company has yet to confirm just how many apps it has removed from its store.

According to Chinese broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), Apple removed 500 apps that had the key word “lottery” in their names between 31 July and 13 August. On 9 August, Apple removed 4,000 apps that relate to gambling.

On Sunday, CCTV said: “Apple established the rules for allowing apps onto its store but it did not follow them, which has resulted in a proliferation of fake lottery apps and gambling apps.”

It was also reported on Sunday that police in Eastern China busted a ¥7.8bn ($1.14bn) online gambling ring.

According to the police, at least 56 suspects were arrested and are accused of making an illegal profit of ¥650m from the online platform.