Hong Kong Lottery Rules

Hong Kong lottery is one of the most popular lotteries in the world. Every week the draw sees millions of people spend HK$1 to try and win a huge prize. While some people find the game addictive and can’t stop playing, most people play responsibly and only spend a small amount each time. The city’s lottery has a reputation for being incredibly lucrative and there are many stories of people winning big amounts. Nevertheless, it’s important to know the rules of the lottery before you play.

Last week a Mark Six jackpot reached a record HK$100 million (£5.8 million) after three winning tickets were drawn in Friday night’s draw. This would be a huge sum in any country, but especially in a city that’s so densely populated. Casino gambling is outlawed in the city, but punters can still place bets on Mark Six and other sports and horse racing events through the Jockey Club outlets scattered across the territory.

HKJC’s employees are trained in the proper handling and storage of the balls used to conduct each draw, and they are meticulously checked for quality on a regular basis. The balls are weighed, measured, and examined by X-rays before each draw. Additionally, the drawing machine is locked away after each draw to ensure its security.

The first prize for each drawing consists of a percentage of the total turnover, with the remainder of the proceeds allocated to various taxes and causes. The minimum First Division prize fund is HK$8 million, and other allocations are fixed at specific amounts. For example, the fourth to sixth division prizes are HK$9600, HK$640 and HK$320 respectively.

While some downplay the addiction risks of lottery play, there is no doubt that Hong Kong’s obsession with the game is widespread. Annual per capita lottery spending in the city is nearly HK$3000, six times the amount of Singapore. And while horror stories of bankruptcies and family turmoil are inevitable, supporters say that such extremes shouldn’t define a hobby that brings mostly innocent joy to millions.

A Filipina domestic worker claimed the HK$100m prize in Friday’s Mark Six lottery draw, according to reports online. The Facebook page “It’s All About HK” posted a photo of the winning ticket alongside the result, but did not disclose any other details. Its creators denied responsibility for the post, but multiple commenters confirmed that it was genuine. It is also not the first time that a winner has walked away with a multimillion-dollar jackpot in Hong Kong, which boasts some of the highest per capita lottery spending in the world.