With no first-prize winner for several consecutive draws, Saturday evening’s Mark Six lottery is expected to carry a jackpot of around HK$120 million if won by a single ticket, sending long queues snaking outside betting shops across the city on Friday.
At the popular betting station on Hankow Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, crowds poured in throughout the day, from regular players to curious newcomers tempted by the eight-figure prize.
Some arrived armed with notebooks full of past results, carefully studying patterns and probabilities in the hope of improving their odds, while others simply picked birthdays or lucky numbers belonging to children and grandchildren.
Many said that even if luck never strikes, the ten-dollar stake feels worthwhile because unclaimed prize money ultimately supports charity.
One man joked that having no great expectations means there can be no real disappointment, adding that the small contribution still counts as doing a good deed.
Others were already planning how they would spend a windfall.
Common promises included donating at least ten percent to worthy causes, treating friends to dim sum, sharing the money with family, and booking long-postponed overseas holidays while they are still fit enough to enjoy them.
Friends were seen queuing together and explained they had already placed bets online but decided to join the line again for the thrill of buying in person, laughing that the huge jackpot had turned even casual players into hopeful millionaires for a day.
