Hong Kong Weighs Legal Basketball Betting to Fight Illegal Market

Government proposes limited licence for Hong Kong Jockey Club

Officials want to allow basketball betting through a single licensed operator—the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The proposal would update the Betting Duty Ordinance and give the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs the power to issue a betting licence. The new system would follow the same model used for football betting.

Authorities estimate that illegal basketball betting reached HK$70 to HK$90 billion in turnover last year. They say unlicensed activity is hard to track, especially as digital payments and cryptocurrency make enforcement more difficult.

Safeguards target underage betting and match integrity

The licence would come with strict rules. Betting would not be allowed on games involving Hong Kong teams or matches played in the city. Operators would have to reject underage bettors and avoid accepting credit bets.

They would also need to display clear warnings about gambling risks and share information about help services for people facing addiction.

Officials focus on harm reduction, not promotion

The government has stressed that it does not promote gambling. Instead, it sees regulation as a better way to reduce illegal activity and meet public demand. A controlled system, officials argue, can protect consumers while generating tax revenue.

In the consultation document, the government wrote :

“A regulated model can meet public demand, reduce illegal gambling activities, and generate tax revenue, without encouraging gambling.”

Public feedback open until early May

Residents are invited to submit feedback by post, fax, or email. The consultation period will close in early May. Any final decision on legalizing basketball betting will depend on the outcome of this process and future legislative amendments.