HONG KONG — A rare malfunction forced organizers to switch lottery machines mid-draw on Tuesday night, delaying the Mark Six result by just four minutes and showcasing the quick thinking of the event’s on-air host.
The incident occurred during the regular lottery broadcast when the newly introduced fifth-generation drawing machine, in service for only about four months, failed to operate normally. All 49 numbered balls continued spinning around the central chamber without a single ball dropping into the outlet pipe, prompting the lift mechanism to rise empty—a situation known locally as “getting nothing.”
Officials from the Hong Kong Jockey Club quickly activated a backup machine of the same model and manually loaded a fresh set of numbered balls before restarting the draw. According to club records, a similar mechanical failure last occurred on September 20, 2014, when the primary machine also had to be replaced mid-draw.
The incident was handled smoothly by TV host Gigi Li Ching-yin, who was presenting the live broadcast. Li remained calm throughout, explaining to viewers that standard procedures required switching to the reserve unit. Under the supervision of two on-site inspectors, staff rapidly swapped the machines and balls, completing the changeover in just four minutes before the draw resumed.
Li later shared a clip of the moment on social media, thanking fans for recording it. “Every year, we gather all staff to rehearse emergency scenarios, and we prepare for different situations in advance,” she wrote in a post. “That’s why everyone stays calm when problems arise. I’m grateful that, through our collective teamwork, tonight’s draw was completed smoothly.”
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has not yet disclosed what caused the machine to fail, but has stated that a full technical review will be conducted. The fifth-generation machine was introduced to enhance randomness and operational reliability, and this is its first reported malfunction since deployment.
Lottery analysts note that while such breakdowns are uncommon, the swift recovery demonstrated the importance of having redundant systems in place for high-stakes, live broadcast events. For players, the delay had no impact on their tickets, as the draw was completed in full with the backup equipment.
The Mark Six lottery, operated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, holds draws three times weekly and is one of the city’s most popular forms of legal gambling. Proceeds contribute significantly to local charity and community projects.
The club has assured the public that the incident will not affect upcoming draws, and further updates on the machine’s status are expected in the coming days.
