The Hong Kong government plans to revise the "Gambling Tax Ordinance" by introducing a basketball betting regulatory framework, proposing to levy a 50% tax on net betting amounts, and suggesting that the Hong Kong Jockey Club be granted the sole license to organize it. The Secretary for Home Affairs and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak, emphasized that this move is not to encourage gambling, but to regulate gambling behavior through restrictive measures to prevent the spread of underground gambling.
Alice Mak stated in a radio program that the government will report the results of public consultation and subsequent arrangements to the Legislative Council's Home Affairs and Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on June 10. She pointed out that if basketball betting is implemented, it will follow the current football betting system, strictly prohibiting participation by individuals under 18, only accepting cash bets, and prohibiting betting on local events to reduce addiction risks and the popularity of gambling.
She added that the government's gambling policy will maintain the principle of "limited legal avenues" and will require the Jockey Club to enhance related charitable and anti-gambling addiction efforts, improving counseling services for youth. Specific measures include establishing a fifth counseling center based on the existing four, to provide education and treatment services for young people; at the same time, expanding the target audience for public education to widely promote the risks and harms of gambling.
Alice Mak also discussed the progress of the "Caring Team," revealing that all over 5,000 members across Hong Kong are unpaid volunteers, who have completed 470,000 home visits and over 50,000 home maintenance tasks since its implementation. She noted that if similar services were entirely performed by civil servants, government expenses would triple the current amount. She emphasized that the "Caring Team" injects vitality into district governance and strengthens the interaction between district councils and residents, including promoting councilors to engage with the community and increasing meeting attendance rates, enhancing overall policy effectiveness.
