Hong Kong police have warned football fans that using overseas betting websites during the upcoming FIFA World Cup could violate local gambling laws, even if operators claim to be licensed or legally registered in other jurisdictions.

The warning comes ahead of an expected increase in football wagering activity during the tournament, which begins on June 11th, and follows FIFA’s appointment of its first official prediction market partner for the event. Authorities stressed that Hong Kong residents who place wagers with any bookmaker outside authorized channels may face prosecution under the city’s Gambling Ordinance, regardless of where the operator is based.

“Some online gambling websites claim they are legally registered overseas,” said Chief Inspector Wong Yu-fai of the Hong Kong Police Force’s organized crime and triad bureau. “But anyone gambling on these so-called legal websites in Hong Kong may already have committed the offense of betting with a bookmaker.”

The warning follows FIFA’s April announcement naming Gibraltar-registered ADI Predictstreet as the official prediction market partner of the 2026 World Cup. The Abu Dhabi-based platform allows users to make predictions on match results, tournament statistics, and player performances.

Although police did not specifically name the company, officers said that, based on their understanding, such officially affiliated prediction or betting platforms would only be available to registered users in certain European jurisdictions and would not legally permit users in places such as Hong Kong to participate. Police also cautioned against attempts to bypass restrictions through VPNs or other technologies, noting that the determining factor under local law was whether a monetary transaction with a bookmaker had occurred.

Authorities recorded 374 serious gambling cases in 2025, resulting in 4,482 arrests and the seizure of more than HK$3 million ($383,000) in cash and crime proceeds. Police also confiscated betting records linked to HK$1.1 billion ($140 million) in wagers.

The figures represented a slight decrease compared with 2024, when officers handled 471 serious gambling cases and arrested 5,341 people. Police said illegal gambling activity typically rises around major international sporting events. During enforcement operations linked to Euro 2024, authorities arrested 735 people, while operations during the 2022 FIFA World Cup resulted in 1,104 arrests.

Authorities warned that illegal gambling syndicates are increasingly moving away from traditional networks and relying on digital platforms, including websites, social media, messaging applications, and mobile communication channels to recruit customers and process transactions. Wong said the shift to online operations had made investigations more complex compared with traditional bookmaking, which relied heavily on direct contact between gamblers and agents, but added that police had developed the capabilities needed to investigate digital gambling networks.

“Engaging in illegal gambling or betting is like opening the door to criminals,” he warned. “Your phone number and your bank account are now known to the criminal world.” Police added that some illegal bookmaking networks are believed to have links to organized crime groups, including triads. Authorities warned that gamblers who accumulate debts could become vulnerable to exploitation, including being pressured into providing bank accounts or assisting with other criminal activity.

Police clinical psychologist Woo Chin-pang also highlighted the risks for younger gamblers, warning that gambling problems could extend beyond financial losses and contribute to emotional distress, mental health concerns, and suicidal behavior. Woo cited the example of a 24-year-old man identified only as “Ah Hin”, who began gambling as a teenager before moving into esports and football betting. Despite earning between HK$18,000 ($2,300) and HK$19,000 ($2,430) per month, he eventually accumulated gambling debts of around HK$160,000 ($20,400).

In a police interview, the man said overseas betting websites frequently used promotions and incentives that created the impression users were receiving value, encouraging them to continue wagering. He described how small bets of HK$5 ($0.64) or HK$20 ($2.55) eventually escalated into wagers worth thousands of dollars. Authorities urged residents, particularly younger football fans, to avoid illegal betting platforms and remain aware of the risks of losing control during major sporting events.