Hong Kong lawmakers approve bill to legalise basketball betting
Summary
Hong Kong’s legislature has passed the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 by 77 votes to two, with two abstentions, legalising regulated basketball betting and expanding the Betting and Lotteries Commission’s remit. The law mirrors the regulatory framework used for football betting (legalised in 2003) and sets a 50% duty on net stake receipts.
Under the new rules, the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak, can grant an exclusive licence to the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and attach conditions to promote responsible gambling. The government frames the move as a way to channel bets away from illegal operators and to boost tax revenue; Financial Secretary Paul Chan estimated annual receipts of HK$1.5–2 billion.
The HKJC estimates illegal basketball betting turnover in 2024 at HK$70–90 billion, involving about 430,000 residents. Supporters say regulation is needed to tackle pervasive online illegal gambling; critics warn legalisation could fuel addiction and argue enforcement, not competition, is the right response. The government also pledged a new youth-focused anti-gambling centre, without providing a timetable.
Source
Key Points
- Legislature approved the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 by 77–2 (two abstentions), legalising basketball betting under regulation.
- The bill applies a 50% duty on net stake receipts and extends the Betting and Lotteries Commission’s authority to basketball.
- The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs can grant an exclusive licence to the Hong Kong Jockey Club and impose responsible-gambling conditions.
- Estimated annual tax revenue: HK$1.5–2 billion, according to the Financial Secretary’s earlier projection.
- HKJC estimates illegal basketball betting turnover in 2024 at HK$70–90 billion, involving around 430,000 residents.
- Supporters argue regulation will curb illegal platforms; opponents warn legalisation may increase gambling harm and call for tougher enforcement instead.
- The government pledged a new youth anti-gambling centre to promote prevention, but gave no timeline.
Why should I read this?
Quick and blunt: Hong Kong is moving to monetise and regulate a massive underground basketball-betting market. If you follow gambling regulation, tax policy or Asian market developments, this explains where the revenue will come from, who keeps the licence (HKJC) and why the move is hotly debated — we’ve done the skim for you so you don’t have to.