As skeptics decry the scheme, others point to its potential to boost tourism. The South China Morning Post reported on July 7 that 1.71 million tickets had been sold before sales ended the previous day, and City Hall was filled with a “breathless audience.” However, the impact on Hong Kong’s travel industry remains to be seen. While mandatory quarantine for visitors was dropped early last year, and the border opened in January, the recovery from a sluggish economy will depend on whether travelers find the territory to be an enticing destination.
In the hongkong lottery, players select six numbers from 1 to 49 in each of the seven boxes and a bonus ball. A ticket costs HK$10. The jackpot is not capped and rolls over to the next draw if no one wins. The draw is held every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, unless it falls on a horse racing day. A special “snowball” draw is also conducted on certain public holidays and unique festivals to add more money to the jackpot.
While some downplay addiction risks, hongkong lottery enthusiasts acknowledge that there is a strong culture of daring to dream, and that the massive prizes are appealing. But John Tse Wing-ling, an associate professor from the Department of Applied Social Studies at the City University, warned that excessive advertising and hype of the prize amounts could fuel pathological gambling. He suggested that responsible betting organizations should play down the prize amounts to avoid inflaming people’s hopes and triggering a vicious cycle.