【stake ons】Hong Kong government requests public input on basketball betting

The consultation, announced on Wednesday (2 April), is based on a proposal from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and recommendations from the Betting and Lotteries Commission (BLC), and is part of a broader effort to counter unlicensed gambling operations.

According to a statement issued by the Hong Kong Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB), the proposed regulatory framework would closely mirror those of football betting.

The Bureau emphasised that while the government maintains a policy stance against encouraging betting, it recognises a continued demand for it.

Left unregulated, the Bureau warned, such demand can lead to widespread unlicensed gambling and the potential for associated criminal activity.

This regulatory initiative stems from growing public concern over unlicensed basketball betting in Hong Kong.

Recent data compiled by the HKJC estimates that unlicensed basketball betting volume reached between HK$70bn and HK$90bn in 2024 alone.

The government has cited these figures as evidence of the scale of unregulated activity and the urgent need to bring it under a legal framework.

Currently, Hong Kong permits limited forms of legal gambling, including horse race betting, the Mark Six Lottery, and football betting.

All are conducted under licences issued to the HKJC pursuant to the Betting Duty Ordinance.

Basketball betting is not yet authorised. However, in its 2025-26 budget announcement, the Hong Kong government signalled its intention to consider the regulation of basketball wagering as a targeted response to unlawful betting operations.

Under the proposed changes, the HYAB could issue the HKJC a licence to specifically organise basketball betting.

The licence would come with a set of conditions designed to mitigate the social risks of gambling, particularly among youth.

Basketball betting framework mirrors football

Key provisions in the proposed regulatory framework include a fixed licensing period, strict limits on the types of bets and competitions eligible for wagering, and a prohibition on betting on games that involve Hong Kong teams or matches held within the city.

This specific restriction is intended to preserve the integrity of local sporting events and maintain a betting-free environment around domestic basketball.

Additional restrictions would prohibit the acceptance of bets from individuals under the legal age and the use of credit for placing bets.

The HKJC, as the potential licensed operator, would also be required to prominently display messages promoting responsible gambling and provide resources for individuals suffering from gambling harm.

While the government has not projected potential revenue figures from regulated basketball betting, it recently renewed the football betting license for HKJC Football Betting Ltd. for a five-year period starting 18 July, following consultation with the BLC.

The decision signals the administration’s ongoing commitment to maintain tight control over legalised betting while responding to evolving market dynamics.

However, public interest in basketball may pose challenges to the initiative’s commercial viability.

According to a Mindspring survey on sports popularity in Hong Kong, basketball lags behind badminton (27.5%), swimming (24%), and football (18.4%) in popularity.

While football and horse race betting are already permitted and enjoy a solid following, basketball’s lower popularity ranking could impact potential participation and revenues from legalised betting on the sport.

Despite these uncertainties, the government appears determined to move forward with efforts to address the illegal betting market through tightly regulated channels.