The Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 passed its third reading with 77 votes in favor, 2 against, and 2 abstentions from the 83 members present. The bill authorizes the Secretary for Home Affairs and Youth Affairs to issue basketball betting licenses, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) expected to be the sole licensed operator.

Voting against the bill were Legislative Council members Tik Chi-yuen, representing the social welfare sector, and Chu Kwok-keung, representing the education sector. Those who abstained were Lam Chi-yuen, representing the medical sector, and Lam Siu-lu, a member of the Election Committee. Lam Siu-lu later explained that he had intended to vote in favor but had pressed the wrong button.

The amendment establishes a regulatory framework covering licensing requirements, taxation, and oversight by the Gaming and Lotteries Commission. Secretary for Home Affairs and Youth Affairs Mak Mei-ling stated that the government will coordinate with the Hong Kong Jockey Club to finalize the implementation timeline. The official emphasized that the legislation aims to curb illegal gambling, not encourage it, and noted that more resources will be allocated to public education and youth counseling services.

The government also announced it would expand the Peace Fund, a government-run agency that funds measures to prevent and remediate gambling-related problems, to include a fifth counseling center dedicated to providing gambling risk education to young people.

Debate highlights support, concerns

According to Hong Kong media reports, most lawmakers support the bill, believing it can transfer large amounts of funds from unregulated platforms to legal, regulated channels. Chen Zhenying, chairman of the bill committee, said the bill will "direct funds flowing into illegal markets to regulated, safer channels," thereby strengthening supervision and increasing government revenue.

Last year, during discussions about legalizing basketball betting, Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges stated that approximately 560,000 Hong Kong residents place bets with illegal bookmakers, with approximately 100,000 to 150,000 of these betting on basketball. The illegal sports betting market is estimated to be worth HK$350 billion (US$45 billion), of which basketball betting accounts for 15%, or HK$52.5 billion (US$6.7 billion). Legal basketball betting could potentially generate revenue comparable to the Hong Kong Jockey Club's football betting business.

During the debate, opponents warned of the potential social costs of gambling. Lam Chi-yuen argued that "legal does not mean harmless, and regulation does not mean harm reduction," noting that football betting, legalized in 2003, has had limited effect in curbing illegal gambling. Legislator Chu Kwok-keung added that young people remain particularly vulnerable to gambling-related harm.

With the legalization of basketball betting, the Hong Kong Jockey Club will further expand its position as Hong Kong's sole licensed sportsbook operator, expanding its business beyond horse racing and football betting. Furthermore, the Hong Kong Jockey Club is actively promoting horse racing tourism. Last October, Hong Kong authorities considered relaxing the age limit to allow those under 18 to attend horse racing events.