Hong Kong’s Mark Six lottery is an integral part of life here. Its fervent fans queue for hours before biweekly draws, dreaming of escaping their punishing living costs and yawning inequality with a jackpot payout. Understanding both sides of this national fixation illuminates a complex social role that the lottery plays in society.
Players choose six numbers from 1 to 49 in a seven-box grid. If they hit all six, they win the first prize, which can reach a staggering HK$100 million. There are also smaller prizes in the secondary, third, fourth and sixth divisions. The winnings are paid as tax-free lump sums and can be claimed at HKJC branches or online, depending on where the ticket was bought.
Those who have won the main prize will be contacted by HKJC to arrange for the prize money collection process. The claiming procedure will depend on the size of the winnings, and it is important to keep your tickets safe so you can prove that you are the winner if necessary.
To be eligible to claim a prize, your ticket must have been validated by HKJC before the draw date. Only then will your entry be deemed to have been a valid and correct one, and the amount you win will be reflected in the official record. The HKJC reserves the right to make enquiries and may refuse to award any prize to a person who does not produce proof of identity or a contract address.
