Hong Kong Lottery is a 6/49 lottery game operated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). The HKJC is best known for horse racing, but it has been authorized by the government to run a lottery alongside its primary business. Its first prize is usually between HKD$8 million and HKD$100 million, though there are special ‘Snowball Draws’ throughout the year that add to the top prize.
The fervor for the lottery in Hong Kong borders on obsession for many citizens, with long queues forming hours before biweekly draws. The lottery frenzy sparks debate about whether it is a sign of unhealthy addiction or harmless escapist fantasy, as punishing living costs and yawning inequality leave many dreaming of quick riches.
Last week, customs officers found nearly 600 tickets in a shipment from Macau and mainland China that were worth about HK$70,000 each. The smugglers were arrested and will face prosecution. The tickets will remain in the hands of customs until authorities decide how to handle them.
The smuggling operation is believed to have been carried out in part because of a change to the top prize that occurred this year. The new top prize was increased to HK$100 million, which made the winnings more desirable. It is also possible that the smuggled tickets were sold elsewhere in Southeast Asia and mainland China before they were discovered by officials. Regardless of what happens to the smuggled tickets, customs officers are still reviewing the shipment to see if there are any other undeclared goods that should be confiscated.