The Hong Kong lottery is a popular game that offers many prizes. You can play by choosing six numbers between 1 and 49, or you can purchase multiple or banker entries to increase your chances of winning. Prizes range from HK$40 for matching three of the winning numbers to the HK$8 million jackpot, which is not capped and rolls over until it is won. Tickets can be purchased from any of the 102 betting branches located throughout the city, as well as at the racecourses in Happy Valley and Sha Tin. The HKJC website provides information on all the different ways to play the lottery and also has an overview of the odds.
While lottery proponents downplay addiction risks, the sheer volume of spending on the game reflects an obsessive embrace of gambling. Stories of bankruptcies and family turmoil due to destructive lottery addiction are common, but critics argue that such extremes shouldn’t define a pastime that brings mostly innocent joy to millions.
Mark Six is a popular lottery operated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. It has been in operation since 1975 and draws take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (unless there is a race meet scheduled on that day). The jackpot is not capped and the minimum first prize is HK$8 million. Tickets cost HK$10 for a single entry and you can choose from several types of entries, including multiples and bankers. You can find more details on how to play the lottery and what prizes are available on the How to Play page.
In addition to the standard prizes for matching six numbers, HKJC Lotteries also offers an optional Snowball pool. The club says it will adjust the Snowball pool arrangement with the aim of increasing its reserve to facilitate a higher number of Snowball draws in the future. The first division prize for some Snowball draws will also be increased to a maximum of HK$100 million.
The HKJC operates on a not-for-profit basis and returns all operating surplus to society. The proceeds are distributed to 107 charities and community projects. The organization is one of the largest single taxpayers in the territory and contributes around 6.5% of Hong Kong’s federal taxes.
The HKJC’s Lottery Fund provides financial support to organisations providing elderly services, social work and family welfare in the community. In the 2009-2010 financial year, it donated HK$1.52 billion to these organisations. The Fund also supports a wide range of other charitable and community activities, such as sports and recreational facilities, youth services, educational and cultural programmes. It is supported by a variety of government duties, including the 5% Sports Development Levy and the 7% General Revenue Tax. In addition, it receives support from private donors and the government. In total, the HKJC Lottery Fund has donated over HK$14.6 billion to the community.
