Hong Kong to introduce legal basketball betting to curb illegal activity
Government says move not aimed at boosting public revenue.
Key points:
– Proposed legislation to tax 50% of net basketball betting revenue
– Government insists policy is unrelated to fiscal concerns
– Match types to be discussed with Hong Kong Jockey Club post-legislation
The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of Hong Kong Alice Mak has confirmed that the Government’s proposed regulation of basketball betting is aimed at tackling widespread illegal gambling, not generating tax revenue.
As reported by The Hong Kong Economic Times, the government intends to introduce a limited and regulated channel for basketball wagering under a legal framework.
The proposed Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 includes a 50% duty on net betting revenue for basketball events. Mak stated that “taxation is certainly not our concern” and explained that the policy goal is to provide a controlled legal alternative, rather than allow underground operators to continue unchecked.
The scope of matches permitted under the new system will be determined following the legislative process. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau will consult with the Hong Kong Jockey Club during the licensing phase to finalise which competitions are eligible.
The Legislative Council received nine submissions during the public consultation period, with three of the five published documents suggesting that regulated basketball betting could ease Hong Kong’s current budget deficit. The Bureau responded by reaffirming the government’s longstanding position of not encouraging gambling, and said that legal channels exist only to meet public demand in a safer and more controlled environment.
Good to know: Basketball will not be specifically defined in the bill, as it is commonly understood worldwide despite variations in rules
Some submissions also called for the Jockey Club to devote more resources to sports development and charitable work.
The Bureau noted that although the legislation does not directly support these causes, it has conveyed public feedback to the Jockey Club for consideration.
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