Key points:
- Government introduces licensing framework for legal basketball betting
- Basketball bets to be taxed at 50% of net stake, same as football
- Additional youth-focused support centre to be established
The government has published the 2025 Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill in the Gazette, outlining plans to formally regulate basketball betting under the existing betting framework.
If passed, the proposed law would amend the Betting Duty Ordinance (Cap. 108) and its subsidiary legislation to establish a legal structure for basketball betting. The legislation empowers the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs to issue licences for basketball betting operations, apply conditions to these licences, and extend the remit of the Betting and Lotteries Commission to include oversight of basketball-related activity.
Under the bill, basketball betting would be taxed at 50% of net stake – mirroring the rate currently applied to football bets. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is expected to be the sole licensee, operating under conditions similar to those governing horse racing and football betting.
Good to know: The government stresses that its long-standing policy does not encourage gambling. Instead, it aims to divert public demand away from illegal operators by offering tightly regulated alternatives
Alongside regulation, the government plans to enhance preventive measures targeting youth gambling. In partnership with the Ping Wo Fund Advisory Committee, a new youth-focused counselling centre will be created to complement the four existing centres. Public education will also be strengthened to raise awareness of the legal consequences of placing bets with unauthorised operators.
The bill is scheduled for its first reading in the Legislative Council on 2 July.
