Hong Kong could move toward legalizing basketball betting after public backs proposal

The Hong Kong government is moving ahead with plans to legalize basketball betting after 94% of respondents in a public consultation voiced support for the move, according to the results of a public consultation released Sunday by Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen.

Mak said she will brief lawmakers about the consultation findings and the government's plan to move forward with regulation, the China Daily Asia reported. “When the illegal gambling problem is so serious, we need to channel the illegal gambling into a regulated gambling regime," she stated.

The consultation, held in April, received 1,063 submissions—94% in favor of legalization, 2.6% neutral, and 3.4% opposed. The proposal would follow the model used for legal football betting managed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC).

According to HKJC estimates, illegal basketball betting reached HK$70 billion (US$8.92 billion) to HK$90 billion (US$11.47 billion) in turnover in 2024.

Mak stressed that while the government does not promote gambling, it uses a “multi-pronged approach” to tackle illegal betting: law enforcement, public education, counseling, and regulated alternatives.

Currently, only horse racing, football betting, and the Mark Six Lottery are legally permitted under the Betting Duty Ordinance. The 2025–26 Budget announced plans to explore the regulation of basketball betting.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan first raised the idea in his February budget speech, saying legalization would help fight illegal basketball betting. With public backing secured, the government could now move quickly toward implementation.

If approved, the ordinance will be amended to let the Secretary grant HKJC a license for basketball betting, with conditions such as bans on underage and credit betting. Bets on basketball matches involving Hong Kong teams or held in Hong Kong would not be permitted. It has also been proposed that 50% of net betting revenue be allocated as gambling tax.