Jockey Club supports project to boost financial education for primary school students

Developing financial literacy at an early age can help future generations navigate an increasingly complex financial landscape. To provide financial education for primary school students, The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Charities Trust has created and funded The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme with an approved donation of over HK$119 million.

Over 110 guests, including representatives from the programme’s partners, school principals and teachers, attended The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme launch ceremony.

The programme was officially launched today (20 November). Officiating at the launch ceremony were HKSAR Government Under Secretary for Education Jeff Sze; the Club’s Executive Director of Charities and Community, Dr Gabriel Leung; President and Chair Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at The Education University of Hong Kong, Professor John Lee; Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at The University of Chicago, Professor Lee Ka-yee; Solomon Learning Group Chairman and Co-founder Antony Leung; CoCoon Foundation Co-Founder Theodore Ma, and Hong Kong Family Welfare Society Chief Executive Kitty Chau. Over 110 guests, including representatives from the programme’s partners, school principals and teachers, attended the event.

Jeff Sze, HKSAR Government Under Secretary for Education (centre); Dr Gabriel Leung, the Club’s Executive Director of Charities and Community (3rd left), Professor John Lee, President and Chair Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at The Education University of Hong Kong (3rd right); Professor Lee Ka-yee, Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at The University of Chicago (2nd left); Antony Leung, Chairman and Co-founder of Solomon Learning Group (2nd right); Theodore Ma, Co-Founder of the CoCoon Foundation (1st left) and Kitty Chau, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society (1st right) officiate at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme launch ceremony.

At the ceremony, Dr Leung welcomed guests to witness the start and the seed of what will become, in time, part of the routine curriculum in Hong Kong. He expressed his gratitude to all partners for beginning this journey with the Club and highlighted that financial education is essential for everyone, particularly for those with limited resources.

Dr Gabriel Leung, the Club’s Executive Director of Charities and Community, delivers a speech at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme launch ceremony.

Targeting upper primary pupils, this pioneering programme is built around three key elements designed to create a lasting impact on students, teachers and parents:

1. Empowerment through financial education: An age-appropriate and culturally relevant curriculum for upper primary students, developed with reference to research findings from the University of Chicago Financial Education Initiative and the Hong Kong Financial Competency Framework, which was developed by the Investor and Financial Education Council. This curriculum is designed to equip students with core financial capabilities and encourage financially responsible behaviour.

2. Collaborative and holistic approach: In alliance with the University of Chicago Financial Education Initiative and local partners, the programme adopts a holistic approach to engage students, teachers and parents. It aims to enhance teachers’ skills and empower them to design impactful financial education lessons. Parents will also receive expert advice and practical strategies to model sound financial habits for their children.

3. A unique response to educational needs: The programme is designed to be integrated into the regular school day. It enhances existing financial education by providing young students with practical financial knowledge, skills and understanding. Unique features include inter-and intra-school competitions, parent workshops and public talks.

Co-created by The Education University of Hong Kong, The University of Chicago, the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society, CoCoon Foundation and Solomon Learning Group, the programme is expected to benefit some 17,800 students and train 240 teachers from 70 primary schools. In addition, it aims to engage 1,500 parents through parent-child workshops and talks. For more information on The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme, please visit www.hkjcfep.com.

The officiating guests and representatives from the programme’s partners attended The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme launch ceremony.

The Club’s support for The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for the community.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) today (30 April) officially opened the “Mark Six 50th Anniversary Exhibition” at Tai Kwun in Central, kicking off a series of celebratory activities to commemorate half a century of the Mark Six lottery. Over the past 50 years, the Mark Six has brought hope to countless members of the community, while delivering significant contributions to Hong Kong society. These activities are also part of the Club’s Year of the Horse Campaign.

Mark Six 50th Anniversary Exhibition” opens to kick off series of celebratory activities - “Connecting Dreams for a Better Future”.

The opening ceremony of the ten day “Mark Six 50th Anniversary Exhibition”, held under the theme “Connecting Dreams for a Better Future”, was officiated by Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government, together with Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club. The ceremony was also attended by representatives of beneficiary organisations and the Club’s Board of Management.

Mark Six 50th Anniversary Exhibition” opens to kick off series of celebratory activities - “Connecting Dreams for a Better Future”.

The exhibition showcases a collection of rare Mark Six artefacts, including some of the earliest lottery tickets and a retired drawing machine. Visitors can explore the lottery’s history and better understand its enduring mission of contributing to society over the past five decades.

The exhibition showcases a collection of rare Mark Six artefacts, including some of the earliest lottery tickets and a retired drawing machine.

At the opening ceremony, Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government, said that Mark Six has not only borne witness to Hong Kong’s growth and evolution, but its proceeds, channelled through the Lotteries Fund and lottery duty, have become a vital lifeline for social welfare. He thanked the Club for its significant contributions to long-term prosperity, stability and development of the city. He expressed his hope that Mark Six would continue to gather the community’s goodwill, so that every small act of generosity converges into a powerful force, driving the sustained development of welfare initiatives, keeping the spirit of compassion alive and helping to build a more caring and inclusive Hong Kong.

At the opening ceremony, Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government(left), said that Mark Six has not only borne witness to Hong Kong’s growth and evolution, but its proceeds, channelled through the Lotteries Fund and lottery duty, have become a vital lifeline for social welfare.

Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, explained that the Club launched the Mark Six in 1976 to assist the Government in curbing rampant illegal street gambling known as “Che Fa”, and to channel the public demand for betting into a legal and regulated channel for the benefits of Hong Kong community.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges said: “Over the past 50 years, 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.”

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges said: “Over the past 50 years, 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, goes to elderly services, nearly a third to rehabilitation, around HK$5.6 billion, and the rest to family and child welfare, social welfare and youth support, around HK$4 billion, totaling 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.”

The exhibition showcases a collection of rare Mark Six artefacts, including some of the earliest lottery tickets and a retired drawing machine.

“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 unique integrated business model and values and purpose of the Club. Our values are centred on having the highest integrity, which has enabled us to channel gambling demand effectively and has built trust in the community. Combined with our purpose for the betterment of society, this model creates economic and social value in the form of tax and duty to the Government, employment, proceeds to the Lotteries Fund as well as charitable donations.”

“But even as I speak to you now, illegal gambling operators are targeting Hong Kong people – many of them youngsters – through social media. They are advertising illegal websites offering gambling on a huge variety of sports, as well as casino games and illegal lotteries. Clearly this is a problem that needs urgent action. We need to protect our community and we need to ensure that the Club can continue to support it through tax contributions and charities donations – and through the Mark Six.”

The exhibition showcases a collection of rare Mark Six artefacts, including some of the earliest lottery tickets and a retired drawing machine.

Since its launch in 1976, Mark Six has remained highly popular among the public. In particular, the introduction of Snowball draws in 1985, has attracted widespread anticipation and participation. In response to public demand, the number of Snowball draws has been increased over the years, with up to 12 now being held annually. The First Division Prize has also continued to reach new heights. The first Mark Six 50th Anniversary Snowball draw* will be held on Saturday, 2 May, 2026, with the First Division Prize Fund estimated at HK$228 million^, the highest in Mark Six history.

Please [click here] to visit the campaign website for details of the “Mark Six 50th Anniversary Exhibition”, including key milestones of the Mark Six, its profound societal significance, fascinating fun facts, and its remarkable 50-year journey with Hong Kong.

The exhibition showcases a collection of rare Mark Six artefacts, including some of the earliest lottery tickets and a retired drawing machine.

The Club’s Year of the Horse campaign is a year-long celebration of the close bond between horses and humans and the contribution racing makes to Hong Kong. It also promotes tourism as well as equine and sports development. Racing is not only the city’s favourite pastime, but also a symbol of its “can-do” spirit and stability under One Country, Two Systems. Through the success of Hong Kong horses on the international stage, the sport also brings pride to the community and global recognition to our city. None of this would be possible without the horse. For more information please visit https://hkjc.com/YOTH.

*Customers who bet must be aged 18 or above

^ Estimated First Division Prize Fund for a single HK$10 winning unit