Hong Kong lottery is one of the most popular lotteries in the world. Its proceeds are used to fund charities and community projects in hong kong. Over the past decade alone, it has donated more than 200 million HK dollars to these programs. This money is used to promote sports, healthy living and education, opportunities for entertainment and culture, and more.
The game is played by choosing six numbers from 1 to 49. Players can choose their numbers manually or use a Smart Pick option that will automatically select the numbers for them. They also have the option to add a Bonus Ball number, which is drawn randomly. The odds of winning the jackpot are one in 13,983,816.
During each draw, the balls are put in a transparent plastic cylinder that is rotated to mix them up and randomise the drawing process. The winning numbers are then drawn from the cylinder, and the jackpot is won if all six numbers are picked correctly. The game is operated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which is best known for horse racing.
There are also special Mark Six draws held throughout the year that have higher jackpots than the thrice-weekly draws. These are called Snowball Draws and usually coincide with unique festivals or public holidays. A percentage of the prize money from these draws is added to the jackpot for the next draw, which can build up to a sizeable sum.