The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has passed a bill legalizing basketball betting. With a vote of 77 in favor, two against, and two abstentions, the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 was approved on Sept 11, introducing a comprehensive regulatory framework for basketball betting, following the model established for football betting in 2003. The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will serve as the exclusive operator, and a 50 percent duty on net profits will be levied on licensed betting entities.

The lawmakers’ decision to legalize betting on basketball is undoubtedly correct. As reported by the HKJC in its submission to the legislature, the illegal basketball betting market turnover in 2024 was estimated at between HK$70 billion ($9 billion) and HK$90 billion, with approximately 430,000 residents having placed illicit wagers on the sport. Legalization will effectively regulate this massive demand and steer residents away from unlicensed and criminal bookmakers.

These vast illegal proceeds are a primary source of income for triad societies and criminal syndicates, enabling them to flourish. As Hong Kong’s history of corruption demonstrates, such illicit funds can also foster corruption within law enforcement agencies.

Furthermore, legalizing basketball betting will redirect revenue from illegal gambling operations into government coffers, with projected annual tax revenues of HK$1.5 billion to HK$2 billion. It will provide significant relief for the government’s budget deficit.

Moving forward, local media, perhaps under a dedicated sports channel, should be encouraged to adopt more balanced sports reporting, with a greater focus on local athletic achievements. To facilitate this, the HKJC could sponsor more live television broadcasts of local sports events and have these broadcasts shown in major shopping malls. This would significantly promote local sports and help elevate them to a world-class level

However, it is also true that legalization could inadvertently normalize gambling culture among vulnerable groups. The legalization of football betting in 2003 has already led to a rise in gambling participation, particularly among young people. Therefore, the government must adopt a strong, three-pronged approach to demonstrate its firm stance against the dangers of gambling.

First, robust enforcement must continue to combat illegal gambling, cutting off the primary revenue stream for organized crime. Simultaneously, strict regulatory enforcement action must be taken to prevent underage gambling within the HKJC system.

Second, public education efforts — primarily through media and schools — should be intensified to promote an antigambling message. This should emphasize that sports are for entertainment and health, not for betting.

Third, counselling services for gambling addiction must be enhanced. A well-publicized and managed 24-hour helpline is essential. It is encouraging that the government plans to establish a new counselling center dedicated to addressing gambling addiction, particularly among young people.

Beyond these preventive measures, the SAR government and the HKJC can take one decisive step to garner public support for legalized betting: providing robust support for elite soccer and basketball in the city. Both entities should allocate a portion of their proceeds from legalized betting to establish a fund. This fund would support local soccer and basketball excellence under the Hong Kong Sports Institute’s elite sports program.

The goal would be to launch a 10-year program aimed at elevating local soccer and basketball performance to a world-class standard. Imagine the thrill for Hong Kong residents witnessing their teams competing on the global stage, such as the World Cup finals, through an HKJC-sponsored program! With sufficient resources and professional support, this is an achievable ambition. Hong Kong has nurtured world-class athletes in swimming, fencing, and squash through dedicated youth programs; the same can be done for its two most popular sports.

Indeed, the HKJC Charities Trust has announced a HK$70.75 million investment in a three-year initiative, The Jockey Club Believe and Bounce Basketball Programme, to make the sport more accessible to children, young adults, and the underprivileged. This is a commendable step for community sports, expected to benefit over 32,000 people, including more than 660 coaches. However, it is not enough.

Currently, local sports media, particularly television news, focus heavily on international soccer and the NBA. One cannot help but suspect that this coverage is intended to promote betting interests. Moving forward, local media, perhaps under a dedicated sports channel, should be encouraged to adopt more balanced sports reporting, with a greater focus on local athletic achievements. To facilitate this, the HKJC could sponsor more live television broadcasts of local sports events and have these broadcasts shown in major shopping malls. This would significantly promote local sports and help elevate them to a world-class level.

The author is an honorary fellow of HKU Space and Hong Kong Metropolitan University and a council member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.