The Hong Kong administration has been in the news recently for plans to legalise basketball betting, following strong public support during a month-long survey. The results showed over 90% of the respondents were in favour of regulating basketball betting.
Highlights of the Story
- The proposed amendment to Hong Kong’s Betting Duty Ordinance will allow legalised basketball betting under a single-operator model.
- The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) is expected to get an exclusive license to start accepting wagers on basketball legally.
- Lawmakers have proposed a 50% tax on net betting revenue, which will be calculated on the total wagers collected minus the winning payouts.
Public Votes in Favour of Legalising Basketball Betting
According to a month-long survey by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, 94% of the 1,063 respondents voted in favour of legalising basketball betting in the city. During a press statement, Alice Mak Mei-kuen, the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, said she will report the results of the survey at the Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports meeting. Mak remarked:
“Illegal gambling has become a serious problem for our citizens. The only way to prevent illicit operators is to channel the industry with legislation and enforcement. In the survey, over 90% of respondents came out in support of a regulated basketball gaming sector. We will regulate the market in the same way as the football betting sector.”
The proposed amendments to the Betting Duty Ordinance will incorporate basketball betting in Hong Kong into a single-operator model, similar to the one used for football betting in the city. The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), which has been a vocal supporter of legal basketball betting, is in the lead for winning the exclusive licence.
The lawmakers have proposed levying a 50% tax on gambling revenue, similar to that on football betting operations. Mak further clarified the government’s stance on gambling taxes, not as a revenue source but as a safety net preventing illegal gambling operators from targeting consumers in Hong Kong. She described the policy shift as a “last-ditch effort” to curb illegal gambling operations.
It is not uncommon for governments to monitor and recognise gambling activities within their jurisdictions, and strive to amend any illicit activities. In a similar vein, the Finnish government-owned betting agency Veikkaus Oy partnered with a London-based sportsbook provider to launch a new sports betting platform.
The proposed amendments to the regulatory framework include a series of limitations aimed at preventing gambling-related harm. According to the proposed amendments, licensed operators are prohibited from accepting wagers on local Hong Kong teams or games happening within the city. Additional safeguards include a blanket ban on betting with credit cards and underage gambling.
Focus on Responsible Gambling
The Hong Kong government has reiterated its commitment to responsible gambling. Lawmakers are working to increase the number of support networks in anticipation of growing betting activity. The city’s fifth gambling counselling centre is currently being built to focus on supporting the youth.
The new facility will both educate young citizens about the dangers of problem gambling and support vulnerable consumers between the ages of 18 and 21, who constitute nearly 2% of Hong Kong’s betting population. The authorities plan to mobilise funding from the Ping Wo Fund, a government-managed public fund, to support responsible gambling and problem gamblers.
Authorities are also evaluating existing support systems to ensure they meet the evolving needs of Hong Kong’s thriving legal betting market, especially the younger population, who may be susceptible to the dangers of gambling addiction. The Legislative Council’s Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports will soon publish its views on the amendment.
According to the HKJC’s latest assessment, illegal basketball gambling generated between €7.8 billion and €10 billion in 2024. Speaking on the subject, Mak said:
The government is strictly against all forms of illegal gambling. We are taking a multipronged approach in our actions against illicit gambling operators.
The Hong Kong government is focusing on curbing illegal gambling, educating the public about the dangers posed by illegal gambling sites, promoting responsible gambling practices, and providing counselling services for those suffering from gambling addiction. As the legal betting market continues to grow, authorities and operators alike are likely to collaborate with reputable sportsbook software providers to ensure secure, scalable, and compliant platforms for bettors.