Hong Kong says basketball betting bill is about more than revenue
The government says proposed legislation is aimed at tackling illegal gambling markets.
Hong Kong.- The Hong Kong government has stressed that its decision to move ahead with plans to legalise regulated basketball betting is not only about generating revenue. Speaking to the press, secretary for home and youth affairs Alice Mak said the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 is focused on reducing unregulated wagering.
“Taxation is certainly not our concern,” she said, claiming that the 50 per cent duty on net betting revenue is incidental, not a fiscal strategy. Mak said the goal is to direct demand toward safer, regulated channels that allow authorities to monitor activity and minimise criminal influence.
Details such as which basketball matches will be eligible for legal betting are yet to be determined. The Bureau plans to consult with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the city’s sole licensed betting operator, once the legislation is passed.
While some submissions called for the Jockey Club to channel additional funds into sports and charity initiatives, the government noted that such provisions are outside the scope of the bill, though the feedback has been forwarded for consideration.
