Hong Kong authorities are reportedly weighing the possibility of introducing legal basketball betting as a new source of government income. This consideration comes ahead of the upcoming 2025-26 budget announcement, scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, where Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po is expected to present strategies to address the city’s significant budget deficit—estimated at nearly HK$100 billion (US$12.9 billion).
Recent figures from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), which operates the city’s betting monopoly, indicate a modest rise in football wagering during the 2023/24 financial year. The HKJC currently offers betting on football, horse racing, and runs the Mark Six Lottery.
Should the government move forward with the proposal, basketball would become the newest addition to the HKJC’s legal betting portfolio. The idea isn’t new; similar suggestions emerged in early 2024 but were dismissed by Chan, who expressed concern that legalising basketball gambling might promote unhealthy habits among youth.
Despite earlier opposition, various political groups have renewed calls to regulate basketball betting. Advocates argue that it would help reduce illegal gambling and boost public funds. The HKJC, too, has backed the expansion, highlighting the urgency of offering legal alternatives to unlicensed operators.