Hong Kong launches public consultation on legalisation of basketball betting

Hong Kong authorities have launched a public consultation on the legalisation of basketball betting, with any future operator to be barred from organising wagers on local matches to protect the health of the sport in the city.

“The government will adopt a pragmatic approach by allowing only a limited number of authorised gambling outlets,” a Home and Youth Affairs Bureau spokesman said.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po unveiled plans to legalise basketball betting in his budget speech in February, saying it could add HK$2 billion to government coffers.

The government said the public consultation, which would end on May 2, would take into consideration an earlier proposal by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, as well as views from the Betting and Lotteries Commission.

The proposed regulatory regime for basketball betting would be similar to the one for football betting, with every licence to be issued with a fixed duration, while the government would have powers to impose restrictions on the types of bets and classes of competitions allowed.