The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government recently published the "2025 Gambling Tax (Amendment) Bill" in the Gazette, proposing to officially include basketball betting within the legal framework. This amendment aims to curb illegal gambling activities, regulate market operations, and expand social support for youth.
If the bill is passed by the Legislative Council, it will amend the "Gambling Tax Ordinance" (Chapter 108) and related subsidiary legislation, establishing a legal basis for basketball betting. The bill authorizes the Director of Civil Affairs and Youth Affairs to issue basketball betting licenses to qualified operators and grants the Betting and Lotteries Commission regulatory authority over basketball gambling.
According to the draft, basketball betting will be taxed at 50% of the net betting amount, aligning with the current football betting tax rate. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is expected to become the sole legal operator, with its operational regulations consistent with current horse racing and football betting rules.
It is worth mentioning that the Special Administrative Region Government reiterated its consistent position of "not encouraging gambling," but rather introducing regulated alternatives to reduce citizens' reliance on underground gambling. At the same time, strengthening protection for minors is also a focus of the bill.
The government will cooperate with the Harmony Fund Advisory Committee to set up a new gambling counseling center specifically for youth, in line with the operation of the existing four centers. Additionally, the authorities plan to increase publicity efforts to raise public awareness of the legal risks associated with illegal betting and prevent falling into illegal gambling traps.
The bill is expected to be submitted to the Legislative Council for its first reading on July 2, which may then trigger a wide-ranging discussion on gambling regulation and public policy balance across society.
