Hong Kong's push towards legalising Basketball betting
Basketball betting is gaining attention in Hong Kong, where it has become popular among illegal gamblers despite football betting dominating the legal market. The Hong Kong government is now considering whether to legalise basketball betting to bring it under regulation. As a part of this process, government has completed a public consultation on regulating basketball betting, which ended on 2 May 2025.
The current legal landscape
Hong Kong’s prohibitive gambling laws confine legal wagering to the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), which is responsible for horse racing, football wagering, and the Mark Six lottery. The HKJC, a government-sanctioned and tightly controlled organisation, distributes its profits to philanthropy. If basketball wagering is legalised, the HKJC would handle it.
Details of the public consultation
The for the regulation of basketball betting was initiated earlier this year and ended on 2 May 2025. It aimed to evaluate public opinion, learn about regulatory issues, and assess the influence of illegal gambling. Thousands of submissions were received from residents, NGOs, academics, law enforcement, and gaming experts, offering a variety of different viewpoints.
The government’s stance and next steps
Regarding the regulation of basketball betting, Alice Mak, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, gave a clear position on the government’s strategy. She called for a balanced approach towards tackling the increasing threat of illegal gambling.
Mak noted, “If the government does not provide a regulated avenue, illegal gambling may become even more rampant. While the government does not encourage gambling, the widespread nature of illegal activities calls for a multifaceted response.”
The government plans to align the legislative process with the 2026/27 Legislative Council timetable to ensure thorough consideration. The government aims to build a robust and secure framework, avoiding a rushed approach to ensure the law benefits everyone, especially the public.
Data that turned heads
In 2023, approximately 100,000 to 150,000 people engaged in illegal basketball betting. By 2024, this number surged to 430,000. Illegal basketball wagers increased from HK$32–34 billion ($4.10–4.35 billion) in 2023 to HK$70–90 billion ($8.96–$11.52 billion) in 2024, more than doubling in just one year. A significant finding revealed that 49 percent of illegal bettors would switch to a legal platform if available, presenting a substantial opportunity to reduce the illegal market.
What’s next for Hong Kong?
The government will synchronise the legislative process with the 2026/27 Legislative Council schedule to facilitate proper consideration. The government will consider consultation responses, prepare legislative proposals, and debate the issue in the Legislative Council (LegCo) before the bill to control basketball betting can be enacted. Final approval and rollout could potentially occur by 2027. Possible outcomes include full legalisation under the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), a limited trial period, or rejection if concerns dominate.
