Basketball betting bill heads to legislature on Jul 2

Hong Kong's proposed legalization of regulated basketball betting will advance to the Legislative Council for its first reading on July 2, following the official gazettal of the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 on Friday.  

The legislation establishes a comprehensive licensing framework empowering the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs to authorize basketball wagering operations. Under the bill, betting duty would be levied at 50 percent of net stake receipts, mirroring the existing football betting structure. Regulatory oversight would expand through the Betting and Lotteries Commission.  

Authorities confirmed the Hong Kong Jockey Club would receive exclusive operating rights under strict conditions designed to mitigate gambling's social harms, particularly targeting youth protection.  

A Home and Youth Affairs Bureau spokesman reiterated the government's policy discouraging gambling while acknowledging the need to divert public demand from illegal operators. Officials framed the measure as part of a broader strategy combining enforcement against unlawful gambling, public education campaigns, and enhanced addiction support services.  

Safeguard enhancements include establishing a dedicated youth counseling center to supplement four existing facilities, intensifying public awareness about illegal gambling consequences, and strengthening collaboration with the Ping Wo Fund Advisory Committee on youth protection initiatives.  

The bill's progression follows today's publication in the Gazette, initiating the formal legislative process ahead of next month's crucial hearing. The government emphasized that all regulatory mechanisms mirror the established football betting framework, with the Jockey Club designated as sole licensee and new youth support services to be established upon passage.