Hong Kong legalizes basketball betting in majority vote
Hong Kong legislators have passed a bill to legalize basketball betting, in an attempt to combat illegal gambling.
The bill was approved 77 to 2, after two abstained from the vote. The majority also voted for a 50% net profit tax, first proposed in June. The regulations are set to reflect the existing legislation that legalized betting on football in 2003.
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak will oversee issuing the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s betting license and creating conditions that ensure responsible gambling.
In a statement after the vote, Mak said, “We will not stop here. To combat illegal gambling, we will continue educational and promotional efforts, as well as conduct tough enforcement actions.”
It’s been estimated that around 430,000 residents have gambled illegally on basketball in 2024, with between HK$70 billion (US$9.00 billion)1 HKD = 0.1286 USD
2025-09-12Powered by CMG CurrenShift and HK$90 billion (US$11.6 billion)1 HKD = 0.1286 USD
2025-09-12Powered by CMG CurrenShift being wagered.
Yet, opponents of the bill argue that legalizing basketball betting would only increase problematic gambling, citing that the legalization of football betting in 2003 has only led to a rise in illegal betting and promoted gambling among the youth.
Representative of the education sector, Chu Kwok-Keung said, “Meanwhile, illegal [football] gambling and associated syndicates are still rampant… it’s obvious that regulating betting cannot solve the problem.” Another lawmaker who opposed the bill, Tik Chi-Yuen, agreed with the assertion that it would only promote gambling and that instead the government should be cracking down on illegal gambling, not competing with “criminal syndicates for profits.”
Dig deeper
2025/02/25: Hong Kong considers legalizing online basketball betting
2025/06/09: Hong Kong proposes 50% betting duty on basketball wagers
2025/02/27: Hong Kong Jockey Club supports bid to legalize online basketball betting
2025/04/07: Hong Kong think tank suggests basketball gambling revenue should fund sports development
Charlotte Capewell brings her passion for storytelling and expertise in writing, researching, and the gambling industry to every article she writes. Her specialties include the US gambling industry, regulator legislation, igaming, and more.
