Matt Bastock Gambling Expert
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Read Full BioHong Kong is exploring the possibility of adopting legislation that permits residents to wager on basketball.
The city government announced Wednesday that it is launching a one-month consultation. The consultation invites members of the public to express their views on expanding the legal sports betting options beyond football and horse racing. They have until May 2 to reply with feedback.
Hong Kong Bids to Reduce Illegal Gambling
Based on a proposal from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the city’s lone legal betting operator, the consultation is part of more extensive efforts to crack down on illegal gambling practices. The HKJC recently estimated that illegal betting volume reached between HK$70 billion ($9.3 billion) and HK$90 billion ($11.6 billion) on basketball alone in 2024. Government officials say that the rise of digital payments and cryptocurrency makes it increasingly difficult to track unregulated betting platforms.
A Hong Kong Home and Youth Affairs Bureau spokesperson emphasized that while the government does not encourage gambling, it recognizes “an actual and persistent demand” for it.
“As such,” the spokesperson added, “the Government adopts a pragmatic approach by allowing only a limited number of authorized gambling outlets, which includes authorizing the HKJC to conduct horse race betting, Mark Six Lottery, and football betting in accordance with the Betting Duty Ordinance (Cap. 108).”
Under the proposed changes, the HYAB could issue the HKJC a license for organized basketball betting. The license would be attached with a few conditions, including a ban on bets involving Hong Kong teams and/or games played locally. There would also be age restrictions, and credit betting would be prohibited.
Should the plans move forward, the HKJC would also be required to adhere to strict responsible gambling practices throughout the city and provide information on services available for individuals who may be suffering from gambling-related harms.
Football Betting License Extended
In an unrelated move, the government renewed its licensing for football betting for five years. Starting July 18, the conditions will remain largely the same, including a restriction on bets from matches involving Hong Kong teams and/or locally occurring matches.
