The Government today launched a public consultation on the proposed regulation of basketball betting activities.

According to the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s (HKJC) latest assessment, the turnover of illegal basketball betting reached $70 billion to $90 billion in 2024. To combat illegal betting activities in an effective manner, the Government announced in the 2025-26 Budget that it will explore regulating basketball betting activities.

The Government proposes establishing a regulatory regime for basketball betting by modelling on the existing regime for football betting.

Through amending the Betting Duty Ordinance, the Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs will be granted the power to issue a licence for basketball betting to the HKJC and impose licensing conditions to minimise the negative impact of gambling on the public, especially on young people.

As for the major licensing conditions, it is proposed that a fixed duration shall be set on the licensing period, and that the Government shall impose restrictions on the number of bet types and classes of competitions.

In an effort to promote a betting-free and healthy environment for the sport in the city, other licensing conditions state that the licensed operator shall not accept bets on basketball matches involving Hong Kong teams and/or matches that take place in Hong Kong.

Additionally, the licensed operator should not accept bets from juveniles and it must not accept credit betting.

On top of that, the licensed operator shall display notices reminding the public of the seriousness of the problems caused by excessive gambling, and provide information on the services available for those with a gambling disorder.

The consultation document is available on the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau website.

Views can be sent by email, faxed to 2591 6002 or posted to 13/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong by May 2, 2025.

Furthermore, following a consultation with the Betting & Lotteries Commission, the Government has decided to renew the licence for football betting of the HKJC Football Betting for five years from July 18, 2025. The existing conditions will remain largely the same.