The Hong Kong government has concluded a public consultation on the regulation of basketball betting, with authorities now analyzing public feedback to determine the next steps.
The consultation period ended on May 2nd, and legislation is expected to be aligned with the Legislative Council’s 2026/27 session timetable.
The SAR’s Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak, said the government is “compiling and reviewing the views collected” and emphasized that the legislative amendment process will follow the council’s schedule.
Mak addressed concerns regarding the regulation of basketball betting, particularly in light of rising football betting figures in recent years. “If the government does not provide a regulated avenue, illegal gambling may become even more rampant,” she said. “While the government does not encourage gambling, the widespread nature of illegal activities calls for a multifaceted response.”
According to the consultation document released by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the government believes that providing a legal betting channel can reduce illegal gambling, protect consumer rights, and mitigate crime risks.
Citing data from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), the government noted that illegal basketball betting has surged to become one of the city’s most popular sports betting activities. In 2023, an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 people engaged in illegal basketball betting, with a turnover of HK$32 billion to HK$34 billion ($4.1 billion to $4.4 billion). In 2024, that number rose sharply to approximately 430,000 bettors, generating an estimated HK$70 billion to HK$90 billion ($9 billion to $11.5 billion) in illegal wagers.
Furthermore, HKJC’s research conducted by Oxford Economics indicated that 49 percent of illegal basketball bettors would consider switching to legal platforms if basketball betting were authorized under HKJC.
