Hong Kong has enacted new legislation permitting regulated basketball betting, expanding its legal gambling options beyond horse racing, lottery, and soccer betting. The Betting Duty Bill 2025 passed with strong legislative support, allowing the Hong Kong Jockey Club to offer basketball wagers under a 50% tax rate similar to soccer betting. This move aims primarily to curb the large illegal basketball betting market, which involves an estimated 430,000 participants wagering around $12 billion annually through unauthorized channels.
The legislation also introduces safer gambling measures to protect younger individuals, though some lawmakers remain concerned about increased gambling exposure. While the government anticipates potential tax revenues of up to $260 million, the main goal is to provide a legal, controlled alternative to black market betting and meet strong consumer demand. The official launch date for basketball betting in Hong Kong has yet to be announced.
