94% back basketball betting legalisation in Hong Kong as govt proposes 50% tax on net winnings???
The Hong Kong government is moving forward with plans to legalise basketball betting, following widespread public support for the proposal. A recent public consultation conducted by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau revealed that 94 percent of the 1,063 respondents favoured the initiative. The findings have been submitted to Hong Kongs Legislative Council for further discussion.
The proposal, which seeks to amend the Betting Duty Ordinance, includes provisions to authorise basketball betting under a regulated framework. The government plans to issue a betting licence to a single operator, most likely the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and impose a 50 percent tax on net betting proceeds, defined as the total amount wagered minus payouts. This mirrors the existing model used for football betting in Chinas Special Administrative Region (SAR).
On Sunday, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak acknowledged the demand for regulated betting and said a legal framework would likely reduce unregulated gambling activity and associated crime. We can see it as the last resort when the illegal gambling problem is so serious that we need to channel the illegal gambling to a regulated gambling regime, Mak said, speaking with local media.
Regulatory measures aim to limit gambling harm
In developing the framework, the Hong Kong government has emphasised the importance of responsible gambling. Local media reported that the proposed licensing conditions include restrictions such as prohibiting bets on games involving Hong Kong teams or matches held in Hong Kong. The operator will also be barred from accepting wagers from underage individuals and from offering bets placed via credit card.
Mak said that the initiative is not aimed at increasing tax revenue but rather at providing a controlled alternative to illegal betting.
New support centre and increased resources for gambling counselling
In anticipation of increased demand for support services, the government plans to establish a fifth gambling counselling centre focused on youth. This will be funded in part through increased contributions from the Hong Kong Jockey Club to the Ping Wo Fund, which finances public education and treatment services for problem gambling.
The new centre is designed to offer both counselling and educational services specifically tailored to younger demographics. According to recent data, the proportion of gamblers aged 18 to 21 remains under 2 percent, but the government said it aims to stay ahead of emerging trends.
The broader strategy includes reviewing existing services to ensure they remain relevant and effective, particularly for young people who may be more vulnerable to the risks associated with gambling.??
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Next legislative steps and wider community initiatives
The government is scheduled to present the findings of the consultation to the Legislative Councils Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports. Further legislative procedures are expected in the coming weeks as the city prepares to formalise the betting framework.
Separately, the government is planning to expand its community care team initiative. Currently comprising 452 teams, the programme offers a range of services to residents, from home repairs to district-level activities. Funding for the next term is set to rise by 50 percent, with a total budget of HK$678 million ($86.4 million). Government officials claim this model offers a more cost-efficient alternative to deploying civil servants for similar tasks.
