The authorities in Hong Kong are in early discussions about allowing people to bet on domestic soccer games legally. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Gambling laws in Hong Kong are very restrictive, with the main legal options limited to the lottery and wagering on horse races or overseas soccer games. This could be set to change after Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) Chairman Eric Fok Kai-shan told the South China Morning Post that discussions are in the early stages to allow betting on domestic action.

He believes such a move would be a significant revenue driver for the sport while acknowledging it’s a sensitive topic.

doesn’t believe there’s sufficient demand for such a product

A campaign to introduce legal soccer betting was unsuccessful last year. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau said that it wants to prevent match-fixing and doesn’t believe there is sufficient demand for such a product. Attendance at matches has barely reached the four-figure range.

The Hong Kong Premier League has also dealt with corruption in recent years, with a dozen coaches and players arrested over the past three seasons for manipulating games. The HKFA noted that it now has a reputable monitoring system overseeing match data to look out for discrepancies.