Two counselling and treatment centres for problem and pathological gamblers will open in mid-October, and an independent organisation will be commissioned to monitor and review their services, Secretary for Home Affairs told legislators today.

Subject to the outcome of the review, the Government will see if there is a need to provide more counselling and treatment services for such gamblers, and if so, how best to address the demand.

Responding to lawmaker Andrew Cheng's query at the Legislative Council meeting, Patrick Ho said five raids against illegal football gambling were conducted in August and September last year, and three in August this year.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Football Betting Limited - the licensee for authorised football betting - pointed out that betting turnover figures are commercially sensitive and their disclosure might undermine its competitiveness.

Nevertheless, it plans to make public full-year turnover figures after they have been audited at the end of the first year of operation.

Dr Ho also revealed that the licensee has placed hedging bets with legal bookmakers overseas since it started accepting football bets.