The Hong Kong government is set to introduce basketball betting featuring a strict tax and safeguards.
The country is moving forward with plans to legalize wagering on basketball after a legislative proposal was submitted to the council on June 5.
The brand new initiative aims to combat illegal gambling and generate significant tax revenue for the country of Hong Kong.
Basketball Betting To Include 50% Levy On Bookmakers’ Net Profits
50% of net profits generated by online casinos on basketball betting in Hong Kong will go to the government.
The sole licensed operator is expected to be the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), who will pay a 50% tax on net stake receipts – calculated as total wagers minus payouts.
The HKJC estimates that illegal basketball betting generated between HK$70 billion and HK$90 billion in turnover last year, so the government want to redirect those funds into regulated channels.
Football betting is the only current form of legal sports betting in Hong Kong and basketball will share a similar framework.
In August 2003 the Hong Kong government legalized football betting, allowing residents to wager at offtrack betting locations, over the phone and through sports betting apps.
Strong Public Support For Introduction Of Basketball Betting In Hong Kong
A government consultation held in April 2025 found that 94% of 1,063 surveyed academics, athletes and members of youth organizations supported the introduction of basketball betting.
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak Mei-kuen, insisted the proposal is not to encourage gambling but instead to prevent further illegal activities.
Safeguards Include Warning Messages And Ban On Domestic Games
The government will include a number of safeguards when basketball betting is rolled out in Hong Kong to prevent social harms.
The HKJC will not be allowed to accept bets from minors. Additionally, credit card payments are prohibited and warning messages will appear on gambling risks.
Bets on games including Hong Kong teams or those hosted locally will not be allowed in order to create a betting-free and healthy culture.
Joe Lyons is a betting industry writer for GamblingIndustryNews with years of experience on reputable gambling websites. Joe specialises in long form content in the world of sports betting and gambling. Joe is recognised as an expert in sports fields such as horse racing, soccer, NFL and NBA.
