Hong Kong lawmakers have passed legislation to legalise basketball betting, introducing a framework similar to that which has governed football wagering since 2003.
The Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 was approved today (11 September) with 77 votes in favour, two against and two abstentions, marking a significant expansion of the city’s regulated gambling market.
The law establishes a 50% duty on net profits from basketball betting and grants the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak, the authority to issue a licence to the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC).
The government insists the move is aimed at diverting gambling activity from illegal operators to regulated platforms, rather than promoting wider participation in gambling.
Mak stressed that combatting illegal gambling remains a priority. She outlined that enforcement will be reinforced alongside new educational and publicity measures, particularly those targeting young people.
Under the Ping Wo Fund, which finances preventive and remedial measures to address gambling-related problems, a fifth education and support centre will be created to focus on youth engagement and problem gambling awareness.
The HKJC, which is set to be the exclusive licensee, had previously reported that illegal basketball betting generated turnover of between HK$70bn and HK$90bn in 2024, with an estimated 430,000 Hong Kong residents wagering with unlicensed platforms.
Lawmakers backing the bill argued that legalisation offers a pragmatic solution to an entrenched conundrum by regulating an activity already widespread in society.
Supporters such as legislator Nixie Lam highlighted that unlicensed gambling platforms are ubiquitous online, easily accessible through smartphones.
Legalisation, supporters argued, would provide oversight and consumer protections lacking in the black market.
Social harms concerns persist
However, some legislators raised concerns that expanding legal gambling could exacerbate social harms.
Education sector representative Chu Kwok-keung pointed to the 2003 legalisation of football betting, arguing that it resulted in rising gambling proceeds and a younger demographic of gamblers over time.
Government figures indicate that the proportion of individuals aged 18 or under seeking counselling for gambling addiction has remained relatively low over the past decade.
Nevertheless, authorities acknowledged the risks and pledged further measures to safeguard youth, including a dedicated centre to promote anti-excessive gambling messages.
The idea of legalising basketball betting was first announced by Financial Secretary Paul Chan in his February 2025 budget speech.
At the time, Chan projected the measure could deliver HK$1.5bn to HK$2bn annually in tax revenue, providing a fiscal boost as Hong Kong continues to grapple with budget deficits.
With legislative approval secured, Hong Kong is poised to formally regulate basketball betting, extending its gambling framework beyond football for the first time in over two decades.
The date of the launch has not been given and the final ruling has first to be published in the Hong Kong Gazette.
