Punters hoping for happy Easter by winning HK$80 million Mark Six snowball draw

he outlet on Stanley Street is considered one of the luckiest by Mark Six players.

Photo: Jonathan Wong Heavy rain failed to put a dampener on the hopes of punters trying their luck on Hong Kong’s Mark Six lottery on Saturday, with the estimated first prize of HK$80 million in an Easter snowball draw.

According to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, as Saturday night’s draw will carry a snowball of HK$63 million (US$8 million), the estimated first division prize fund is HK$80 million.

Domestic helpers Gigi and Leila were among dozens placing bets at the Stanley Street betting outlet in Central.

They together bought three bets for HK$30 and were trying the Mark Six for the first time.

They said that if they won, they planned to go back to the Philippines for good and bring the prize back to their families.

Resident Isaacson Ng, a public service worker, said he had spent HK$20 on two bets for the draw. “I want to win during Easter, to win good luck,” Ng said. “Knowing there is HK$80 million, I want to take a gamble, to buy hope.” He added that he would save the money and travel if he won. “This is the main wish of every Hongkonger, to win the Mark Six,” Ng said. “So whenever it comes to a sense of ritual, during certain festivals, I treat it as a lucky thing to buy the Mark Six, hoping to win.” Sales and marketing worker Wong Chun-hung said he also spent HK$20 on two bets for the Easter draw. “As there is a snowball, with the estimated first prize being HK$80 million, of course I have to try my luck,” Wong said. “If I win, I will take 10 per cent of the prize money to do charity.” Tutor Wayne Rhodes said he would place bets worth HK$100. “I am happy to take a chance,” Rhodes said.

The total turnover for the draw had reached HK$109.2 million by 3.10pm on Saturday, falling short of the HK$270.6 million turnover recorded at about the same time during the record-breaking Chinese New Year draw on February 21.

The Stanley Street branch is widely considered by punters to be one of the luckiest in the city, having historically produced 47 first-prize winners since 1994, second only to 48 at the Tuen Mun Town Plaza outlet.

The draw will be held at 9.15pm.

A standard Mark Six entry – in which punters pick six numbers between one and 49 – costs HK$10 and counts as one full unit.

Partial unit bets of HK$5 are available for certain types of entries.

原文链接: 南华早报