The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has announced its support for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s (HKSARG) decision to invite a proposal for the introduction of regulated basketball betting. The initiative, outlined in the 2025-26 Budget, aims to address the rise of illegal basketball wagering and its associated social risks.
According to HKJC estimates, the turnover of illegal basketball betting in the past year ranged between HK$70 billion and HK$90 billion. The Club asserts that a regulated framework would provide a more effective approach to mitigating illegal gambling, which has been linked to issues such as loan sharking and underage betting.
As the exclusive operator of legal betting in Hong Kong, HKJC has long worked alongside the government to implement a responsible gambling model. The organization believes that extending its regulated offering to basketball betting would support HKSARG’s objectives while also bolstering the Club’s contributions to the community through charitable donations and tax revenues.
HKJC is set to submit a detailed proposal to the government in the near future and will collaborate closely with authorities to facilitate the policy’s implementation. The introduction of regulated basketball betting represents a potential shift in Hong Kong’s wagering landscape, aligning with broader efforts to combat illegal gambling activity.
