In a potential pivot for Hong Kong's long-standing gambling regulations, the government has initiated a consultation process to expand legal sports betting by including basketball in the official roster. For more than 40 years, betting in the territory has been restricted to football, horse racing, and lotteries, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) holding an exclusive license under the Gambling Ordinance of 1977. Now, amid rising concerns over illegal wagering volumes and financial leakages, authorities are weighing a regulatory overhaul designed to integrate basketball betting into the legal framework.

Hong Kong Moves to Modernize Sports Betting Framework

For decades, Hong Kong has maintained a tightly regulated approach to betting, limiting activities to three approved domains: football, horse racing, and public lotteries. This framework, overseen exclusively by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, has been credited with maintaining a relatively disciplined gambling ecosystem. However, shifts in consumer behavior, especially among younger demographics, coupled with technological advancements, have allowed illegal sports betting syndicates to thrive in the shadows.

The government’s new proposal, first floated in the 2025–26 budget, aims to align regulations with the contemporary betting landscape. A formal public consultation is now underway to determine whether basketball should be legalized as a betting sport.

Illegal Basketball Betting Is Big Business

According to internal estimates from the HKJC, unauthorized basketball betting generated between HK$70 billion and HK$90 billion in turnover in 2024 alone. That figure dwarfs legal market equivalents and highlights the scale at which offshore or underground operators are drawing business from Hong Kong punters.

In addition to lost revenue, officials point to HK$15 billion in estimated annual consumer losses due to fraudulent or unregulated operations. Much of this activity is facilitated by digital platforms and cross-border syndicates, which remain outside the jurisdictional reach of local regulators.

Regulatory Expansion Seen as Revenue Boon

By legalizing basketball betting, Hong Kong stands to convert illicit activity into taxable, regulated revenue. The HKJC argues that channeling this demand into a licensed system will not only protect consumers but also enhance public revenue streams. This move would mirror similar strategies adopted in other financial hubs, such as Singapore and select U.S. states, which have broadened their betting portfolios to counter illegal gambling.

In fiscal 2023–24, the HKJC contributed HK$40.1 billion to the community, of which HK$29.9 billion came through government-related channels (duties, taxes, and lotteries fund contributions), while HK$10.2 billion was directed toward charitable causes. An expansion to include basketball could significantly lift these figures, especially as the sport continues to grow in popularity across Asia.

HKJC to Retain Operational Monopoly

In line with Hong Kong’s existing gambling laws, any new betting vertical—including basketball—would fall under the operational control of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The government has reaffirmed that HKJC’s integrated business model, credited with curbing illegal betting on football and horse racing, will extend to any future expansion.

This announcement comes alongside news that the club’s license to operate football betting has been extended for another five years, solidifying its role as the city’s central betting authority.

Public Consultation and Policy Timing

While no formal timeline has been confirmed for the rollout of basketball betting, the consultation marks a pivotal first step. The policy’s eventual implementation will depend on public feedback, risk assessment, and legislative alignment with broader gambling laws. Observers note that support from both sports regulators and public health stakeholders will be crucial to balancing market expansion with responsible gaming safeguards.

Balancing Revenue and Responsibility

Critics of the proposal argue that expanding sports betting may deepen social risks, especially among vulnerable populations. However, government officials and HKJC representatives maintain that centralizing activity under one licensed operator allows for stringent control, robust identity verification, and advanced anti-addiction frameworks.

Supporters of the move stress that the goal is not to promote betting, but to offer a controlled alternative to an already thriving illegal market that operates beyond reach and without protections.

Bottomline: Betting on Regulation

As Hong Kong grapples with growing illegal betting networks, particularly in basketball, the government’s decision to explore legalization marks a strategic pivot aimed at reclaiming regulatory oversight. If executed with care, the move could translate into enhanced tax collections, safer betting environments, and better transparency—all without compromising the integrity of the city’s well-guarded gambling regime. For stakeholders across finance, sport, and law enforcement, this could be a game-changing bet.