The Hong Kong Lottery is one of the most popular games in the region. Its revenue is substantial and the prize money is used to fund sports and social programs. However, there are some risks involved with this game, including pathological gambling. John Tse Wing-ling, an associate professor at the City University of Hong Kong’s Department of Applied Social Studies, believes that the large jackpots advertised can encourage young children to take up this type of gambling.

The Lottery is a part of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s business operations, and it operates in conjunction with horse racing. It offers prizes for six numbers between 1 and 49, as well as a seventh number known as the “Extra Number.” Players choose their numbers based on lucky numbers or personal significance. The first-prize prize starts at a guaranteed HK$8 million (EUR899,986) and can climb rapidly. The lottery also has a bonus ball that increases the odds of winning.

While there are many lottery websites, it is important to be careful when selecting a site. Some sites may be operated by fraudulent individuals and are not regulated by the government. In addition, some of these sites may not be legal in your jurisdiction. This is why it is important to choose a trusted lottery website, such as Toto HK. Toto HK is safe and secure, and their customer service is excellent.

Players can select their own numbers or use a Quick Pick option that randomly picks the numbers for them. The cost of a ticket is HK $10, and the jackpot starts at a minimum of HK$8 million. There are seven prize levels, and the last two prizes include air tickets to destinations in Asia and Europe.

The Hong Kong Mark Six lottery is a form of state-sponsored gambling that was launched in 1975. The HKJC’s main business is horse racing, but it was authorized by the Hong Kong government to operate the lottery alongside its traditional business. The lottery is a major source of public funds and has contributed more than HK$200 million to the society to date. The HKJC uses the funds to support various projects, such as youth development and community sport.

During the first draw, which took place on July 7, over 1.71 million tickets were sold. The audience at City Hall waited breathlessly for the announcement of the results. The first-prize winner was a 77-year-old retired police officer from Jiangsu province. The second-prize winner was a 61-year-old man from Guangdong. The third-prize winner was a 35-year-old woman from Zhejiang. The fourth-prize winner was a 23-year-old from Shanghai. The fifth-prize winner was a 28-year-old man from Hunan. The sixth-prize winner was a 29-year-old man from Liaoning.