Gambling in Hong Kong

The Gambling Ordinance was enacted in 1977 to regulated gambling in Hong Kong. People are allowed gamble for leisure and entertainment within these regulations at a limited number of authorized outlets. Social gambling is still allowed.

The Hong Kong Government restricts organized gambling to a few regulated outlets. The government created the Gambling Ordinance to rein in excessive gambling while still providing gambling to the populace. The Gambling Ordinance was enacted in 1977 to regulated gambling in Hong Kong. Gambling involving a bookmaker is illegal in Hong Kong. Betting with a bookmaker and betting in a place other than a gambling establishment is illegal. The Hong Kong Jockey Club holds a government-granted monopoly on horse races, football matches, and lotteries.

Hong Kong has charities which have a goal to promoting responsible gambling practices among those who gamble and to minimizing the negative effects of problem gambling. Such charities also look for a balance between meeting the demand for gambling and maximizing the social and economic benefits of gambling for the community, while helping to minimize potential harm to individuals and the community.

During the 2010 World Cup, police arrested 25 people for having an illegal gambling ring that took bets on World Cup matches worth more than 66 million Hong Kong dollars. Earlier in the year the Hong Kong police set up a task force to help stop illegal football gambling.

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