Hongkongers hoping to try their luck at the a HK$58 million (nearly US$7.4 million) yesterday were left bitterly disappointed after a technical glitch left thousands unable to buy tickets.
Self-service counters, self-vending terminals and multi-ticket betting terminals at all 102 off-course betting branches run by the Hong Kong Jockey Club had to be closed for up to two hours from noon yesterday because of an internal network error.
Ming Pao reports that while the issue was being sorted, the system had to be transferred to another data center and rebooted, and that the Jockey Club took steps to make sure all accepted bets remained valid.
Although the system was back online at around 1:45pm yesterday, it was later announced that the Mark Six would be postponed until today, making it the first time the Jockey Club had to suspend all betting services, Ming Pao reports.
While the network was down, punters were still able to place bets via mobile or online through services like eWin, and the Jockey Club says the postponement of the lottery would ensure punters were not affected by the disruption and had sufficient time to purchase tickets.
Apple Daily spoke to some baffled punters who were unable to buy tickets yesterday.
“The one time I decide to buy a Mark Six ticket on a whim the system breaks down,” said one man, surnamed Leung.
Added another, surnamed Chu: “The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a big organization with a lot of money, how do they not have a back-up system?”
