In a clear declaration of policy intent, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak, has confirmed that the government’s proposal to regulate basketball betting is primarily aimed at combating illegal gambling, not generating tax revenue.
The new framework, outlined in the proposed Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025, seeks to create a controlled and legal channel for wagering on the popular sport.
Speaking on the initiative, Alice Mak emphasized that the core objective is to provide a safe alternative to the widespread underground betting market that currently operates unchecked.
“Taxation is certainly not our concern,” she stated, clarifying that the government’s goal is to mitigate the social problems associated with unregulated gambling by meeting existing public demand within a secure and monitored system.
The proposed bill includes a 50% duty on net betting revenue from basketball events, which will be implemented as a regulatory tool rather than a fiscal one.
The legislative process will determine the final scope of the regulation.
Following its passage, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau will consult with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) during the licensing phase to finalize the specific competitions and matches that will be eligible for legal wagering. The bill notably does not define “basketball,” relying on the common global understanding of the sport.
During a public consultation period, several submissions suggested that the regulated betting could help alleviate Hong Kong’s budget deficit.
However, the Bureau firmly reiterated the government’s long-standing position of not encouraging gambling. Other public suggestions included calls for the HKJC to allocate more resources to sports development and charitable initiatives.
While the legislation does not mandate this, the Bureau has confirmed that this feedback has been conveyed to the Jockey Club for its consideration, underscoring the government’s focus on social responsibility over revenue.
