'Luckiest' betting station draws LNY Snowball hopefuls

Hongkongers flocked to the "luckiest" betting station in Stanley Street, Central, for a Mark Six ticket yesterday in hopes of winning up to HK$118 million in the Lunar New Year Snowball to be drawn today.

Many were already waiting in line at noon before the opening of the Hong Kong Jockey Club branch, which has sold 47 of the top prize-winning tickets since 1994.

Among them, a woman named Choi, who lives near the betting station, said she bought tickets for HK$70 to "try her luck."

Choi said she was attracted by the top prize, but she does not expect to win millions. "I just buy the lottery tickets for a good beginning to the new year," she said.

A resident named Lee said this was his first time to buy a Mark Six ticket.

"If I win the top prize, I will spend most of the money to buy good stuff for my mother" said Lee, who spent HK$40 on tickets.

A man named Han took a taxi to get to the betting station from Ma On Shan.

"I heard that this betting station is the luckiest and came here to earn some money," he said. "It's just for new year's luck, and I would be happy even if I only won HK$20."

If he wins, Han said he will donate part of the fund and save the rest for his family.

A man from Yuen Long bought tickets for HK$100. If he is lucky, the man plans to donate 10 percent of the prize to charity and save the rest for his daughter's education.

The Lunar New Year Snowball has been held since 1986, and the number 29 has been drawn the most, 10 times in the 36 previous draws, followed by numbers three and 11, drawn nine times.

Numbers five, 19, 37 and 43 have also been drawn eight times, according to official data.

Tickets sales will continue until 9.15pm today and the draw will begin at 9.30pm. TVB Finance, Sports and Information Channel, or Channel 85, will livestream the draw.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com