Ayra Wang
The expansion of legal sports betting to include basketball and enhancing existing football betting options are being considered by the government ahead of today's budget announcement.
Sources suggest that if basketball betting is legalized, wagers will be restricted to international leagues, such as the National Basketball Association in the United States.
The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau is expected to consult with the Betting and Lotteries Commission as early as next month, followed by a public consultation that will last at least six months.
The Standard Channel
Any proposed changes will be submitted to the Executive Council and, if necessary, reviewed by the Legislative Council.
Lawmaker Adrian Pedro Ho King-hong expressed support for the initiative, citing basketball's popularity and substantial market potential. He added: "Basketball, alongside football, is a widely followed sport, and its inclusion in legal betting could generate significant tax revenue for the government, especially in light of the current fiscal deficit."
Ho estimated that legalizing basketball betting could yield over HK$1 billion annually.
Ronick Chan Chun-ying, chairman of the Legco's finance committee, said even applying user-pays principles to public services may not generate revenue on par with the potential income from expanded sports betting.
Lawmaker Peter Douglas Koon Ho-ming said the dual benefits of legalizing basketball betting: boosting public finances and reducing illegal gambling. He added that many people currently place bets on basketball through unregulated overseas websites, and legalizing these bets could redirect activities to regulated platforms, enhancing government oversight.
However, Augusta Yim Ting-ling, a psychologist at the Zion Social Service Yuk Lai Hing Counselling Centre, expressed concerns that legalizing basketball betting could normalize gambling, given the sport's large fan base.
Yim urged the government to improve public education to ensure individuals struggling with gambling addiction are aware of how to seek help and access counseling and treatment services.
ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com
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