for early access to the latest igaming videos!
and get the latest igaming news first!
The city hopes regulation will beat illegal bookies, not boost tax revenue.
In a move that blends regulation with harm reduction, the Hong Kong government is pushing forward plans to legalise basketball betting. But officials are making one thing clear: it is not about money.
Speaking to reporters, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak said the aim is to tackle the deep-rooted issue of illegal gambling, which has become harder to control in recent years. “Taxation is certainly not our concern,” she added, referencing a proposed 50% duty on net basketball betting revenue included in the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025.
New system, same goals
Hong Kong wants to stay ahead of illegal gambling trends.
The plan is to offer a limited and regulated channel for basketball wagers, creating a legal alternative that is safer for the public and easier for authorities to monitor.
Mak emphasised that the regulation is not designed to generate new income for the public purse, even though some observers noted that it could help ease the city’s budget deficit. The bill’s priority, she said, is to steer people away from the underground betting market, where protections are nonexistent and profits fuel criminal networks.
What matches will be included?
Details will follow once the law is passed.
Right now, the bill does not name specific tournaments. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau plans to work with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the city’s sole legal betting operator, to define the scope once the legislation is in place.
Mak noted that “basketball” will not be explicitly defined in the law. The term is considered globally understood, and differences in league rules do not affect the nature of the sport from a regulatory standpoint.
Public input sparks debate
Supporters see safety, critics see revenue potential.
Nine submissions were made during the public consultation. Of the five published responses, three suggested the new betting duty could help reduce public debt. But the Bureau stuck to its message: legalising betting is about safety and control, not boosting finances.
Officials reiterated that Hong Kong’s policy on gambling remains unchanged. The government does not encourage gambling, but it does allow legal outlets to meet public demand and push people away from riskier options.
Calls for greater community impact
Public wants more from the Jockey Club.
Some responses asked the Hong Kong Jockey Club to increase funding for sports development and charitable work if basketball betting is introduced. While this is not part of the bill itself, the Bureau said it has passed on the feedback and encouraged the Jockey Club to consider new contributions.
What happens next?
The legislation will now move through the approval process.
If passed, the bill would allow the government to begin licensing regulated basketball betting. Discussions with the Jockey Club will then determine which competitions make the cut.
While the move might not change Hong Kong’s stance on gambling, it shows a shift in strategy, one that trades restriction for regulation, and enforcement for engagement.
Source: Gambling Insider
