Mark Six: “Connecting Dreams for a Better Future” with more than HK$85 billion contributed to society over 50 years

For many people in Hong Kong, taking part in the Mark Six has become a familiar ritual. While winning is never guaranteed, participants know that even when they don’t win, their ticket purchase supports charitable causes. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Mark Six. To celebrate the occasion, its operator The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) organised the ten-day “Mark Six 50th Anniversary Exhibition”, which opened at Tai Kwun in Central over the weekend. Themed “Connecting Dreams for a Better Future”, the exhibition showcases how the lottery has grown alongside Hong Kong over the past half century and highlights its significant contributions to the community through charity.

Since its launch in 1976, the Club has contributed more than HK$30 billion to the Lotteries Fund and HK$55 billion in lottery duty, supporting over 300 NGOs and more than 25,000 projects. In the past five years, the Lotteries Fund has focused its resources where they matter most. Half of its funding (around HK$10 billion) has gone to elderly services, nearly a third (around HK$5.6 billion) to rehabilitation and the remainder (around HK$4 billion) to family and child welfare, social welfare and youth support – for a total of HK$19.5 billion. This means that the most vulnerable in our community – our seniors, those living with disabilities, families in need and young people facing challenges – are directly benefiting from these projects.

Through Mark Six, those who need help the most are given not just care, but hope, dignity and a better quality of life. All these projects were made possible through the Club’s unique integrated business model, values and purpose. The Club’s values are centred on the highest standards of integrity, which have enabled it to channel gambling demand effectively and build trust within the community. Combined with the Club’s purpose of acting for the betterment of society, this model creates economic and social value in the form of tax and duty to the Government, employment opportunities, proceeds to the Lotteries Fund and charitable donations.

While Mark Six successfully helped the Government combat illegal gambling activities such as “Che Fa” in the past, illegal betting operators today continue to lure Hong Kong people — many of them young people — into placing bets through social media. This is a problem that requires urgent action in order to protect the community and to ensure that the Club can continue to support it through tax contributions and charitable donations – and through the Mark Six.

Rigorous draw process that safeguards integrity

Every Mark Six draw adheres to four core principles, supported by a stringent system to safeguard its integrity. The Club conducts regular and thorough inspections of the numbered balls, and adopts advanced technology to ensure that the draw machines and all related equipment meet international standards. A dual independent supervision mechanism is also in place to ensure that every draw is conducted fairly and impartially. In addition, the entire draw process is broadcast live, with information disseminated through multiple channels to ensure full transparency.

The Club has also launched a dedicated campaign website that echoes the anniversary exhibition, allowing members of the public to learn about key milestones of Mark Six, its significant contributions to society and interesting fun facts. The website invites  everyone to savour the extraordinary journey of Mark Six as it has accompanied Hong Kong’s development over the past 50 years.

Many people buy Mark Six tickets not only for the chance to realise their dreams, but also to contribute to society through the purchase of a single ticket. Looking ahead, Mark Six is set to continue “Connecting Dreams for a Better Future” with the people of Hong Kong.