Hong Kong Approves Historic Bill for Basketball Betting NOW
BREAKING: Hong Kong’s legislature has made a historic move by officially passing the **Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025** on **September 11, 2025**, allowing for regulated basketball betting. The bill passed with an overwhelming **77 votes in favor**, just **two against** and **two abstentions**, marking a significant shift in the city’s gambling laws after more than 20 years.
This urgent update means Hong Kong will now extend its legal betting framework to include basketball for the first time. The measure is aimed at combating illegal gambling, with officials stating that **50% duty** will be applied to net profits from basketball gambling. The **Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC)** is set to become the sole provider, licensed by **Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak**.
“Combatting illegal gambling remains a priority,” Mak emphasized during the announcement, highlighting the need for enforcement efforts to be strengthened through education and awareness campaigns. She added, “We will not stop here,” indicating that additional measures are forthcoming to address problem gambling.
The **Ping Wo Fund** will finance a new education and support center focusing on preventing problem gambling, particularly among youth. This initiative comes as over **400,000 locals** are currently engaged in illegal basketball betting, which generated an estimated **HK$70–90 billion** (approximately **$8.98-$11.54 billion**) in turnover in 2024.
Lawmakers supporting the bill argue that regulation is a necessary response to an existing activity, especially given the prevalence of smartphone use for gambling. Legislator **Nixie Lam** noted that the need for regulation is evident in the growing number of participants. However, concerns remain among some lawmakers, recalling the **2003 legalization of football betting**, which led to increased gambling revenue and a rise in younger participants.
Despite these concerns, government data suggests the percentage of under-18s seeking help for gambling addiction has remained low over the past decade. Authorities have promised to implement robust youth-focused safeguards, including the establishment of a center to promote responsible gambling practices.
The proposal to legalize basketball betting was initially introduced in **Financial Secretary Paul Chan’s** budget speech in February 2025, where he projected potential annual tax revenue between **HK$1.5–2 billion** (approximately **$192-$256 million**). This revenue is seen as a crucial financial boost as Hong Kong navigates ongoing fiscal deficits.
As the city prepares for this transformative change, a launch date for the basketball betting framework has yet to be confirmed, pending publication of the final ruling in the **Hong Kong Gazette**. Stay tuned for further developments as Hong Kong takes this significant step into the future of regulated sports betting.
