Hong Kong - legal status
Summary
Hong Kong applies the "forbidden everything that is not allowed" model: any form of gambling outside of narrow exceptions is an offense under Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148). Only products authorized by the government for Betting Duty Ordinance (Cap. 108), including horse racing, football (and from 2025 - basketball) through the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), as well as the Mark Six lottery. Casinos and "private" online bookmakers are not allowed.
Legal framework and authorities
Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148): blanket ban; separate lineups for bookymaking/participation and illegal lotteries.
Betting Duty Ordinance (Cap. 108): authorized rates regime and tax rates.
Betting and Lotteries Commission/NG bodies: Oversee policy and licensed forms. (In 2025, the government is expanding the mandate for basketball betting.)
What is legal
Monopoly HKJC
HKJC is the only permitted operator of horse racing, football (and basketball) betting, and the Mark Six lottery. Offline points and online/mobile HKJC channels are allowed when opening a personal account. HKJC sites also indicate key prohibitions (rates for "illegal immigrants," age <18, etc.).
Authorized products
Horse racing - via HKJC.
Football (football betting) - via HKJC. The tax rate is described in Cap. 108.
Basketball (from 2025) - the government promotes regulation and oversight; the functions of the commission are expanding. (Works in a monopoly model via HKJC.)
Mark Six Lottery - Distribution of Funds: 54% - Prize Pool, of the remaining 46% - 25% Lottery Tax, 15% - Lotteries Fund, 6% - HKJC Lotteries Commission.
Age and responsible play
The minimum age for any permitted rates is 18.
Taxes (Betting Duty)
Horse racing: progressive bet ~ 72. 5–75% от net stake receipts.
Football: 50% of net stake receipts; in 2023-2028, a special football collection (SFBD) was introduced - HK $2. 4 billion per year in addition to the usual rate (without changing the base rate).
Lottery: 25% lottery duty ("46%" portion of non-Mark Six prize pool).
Online mode
Online betting is only allowed through official HKJC channels (account, app/website). Any other iGaming services (online casinos, third-party bookmakers, offshore sites) are illegal.
Extraterritorial bookymaking: Taking/settling rates offshore, if the bet is made from Hong Kong, falls under s. 7 Gambling Ordinance.
What is prohibited and sanctions (high-level)
Illegal bookmaking and participation in illegal betting; illegal lotteries. The range of sanctions is from fines to imprisonment (for organizers - up to 7 years; for participants - separate compositions/fines).
Offshore/foreign bookmakers taking bets from Hong Kong is a violation of Cap. 148; advertising and mediation carry risks of complicity.
Risks for operators, payment partners and affiliates
1. Marketing and acceptance of Hong Kong audience bets outside HKJC = legal risk by Cap. 148 (including offshore acceptance).
2. Payments/cashing out to illegal services are a zone of increased attention of law enforcement officers. (Practice - joint raids and blockages.)
3. Content/UGC: advertising of "mirrors," promotional codes of illegal immigrants, telegram/social funnels → risks for media and affiliates.
Compliance checklist (for B2C/B2B)
Block payment routes/UGC leading to illegal sites; Support the moderation log
Do not target Hong Kong with product, advertising and locale unless you are HKJC.
If you are a HKJC/Lottery contractor: act strictly on Cap. 108/conditions, store audit trails, take into account age restrictions and RG requirements.
Prospect
A key policy is to deter gambling and allow it only in a limited form through HKJC. New types (e.g. basketball) are included in the existing monopoly model with increased supervision and without opening the market to private licensees. Offshore "alternatives" remain outlawed.
Terms
Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148) is a basic anti-gambling law and exemptions.
Betting Duty Ordinance (Cap. 108) - tax and authorized rates/lotteries frame.
HKJC - Hong Kong Jockey Club, the only authorized betting operator and Mark Six.