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Casino and gambling in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a special administrative zone of China with a unique economic and legal system.
Unlike neighboring Macau, where gambling is legalized, Hong Kong adheres to a rigid but regulated gambling model: casinos and private gambling houses are prohibited, and all legal bets are made only through the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), the oldest and only authorized gambling organization.
This approach allows the state to control the market, prevent dependence and use profits from social rates.
Legislative framework
The main document regulating the field of gambling is Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148), adopted in 1977 and repeatedly updated.
It defines the following provisions:- casino, private betting and any form of unlicensed gambling are prohibited;
- only government-licensed betting and lotteries are permitted;
- organizers and participants of illegal games face fines and prison terms;
- online gambling outside official sites is considered a crime.
Hong Kong's public policy is about controlling, not encouraging, gambling. The law strictly separates regulated forms of entertainment from illegal business.
Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) - monopolist and regulator
Hong Kong Jockey Club is the only entity authorized to conduct gambling in Hong Kong.
Founded in 1884, the club operates under the supervision of the Home Affairs Bureau and plays the role of operator, regulator and tax donor.
HKJC operates:- betting on horse racing (main activity);
- betting on football (Football Betting Ordinance 2003);
- National Lottery Mark Six.
All club operations are transparent and undergo a state audit.
HKJC Online Activities
Since 2002, the club has provided legal online betting through the site and mobile apps.
Players can bet on horse races and football matches held under government control.
This is the only permitted form of online gambling in Hong Kong.
Casino and private gambling ban
Hong Kong strictly prohibits:- casinos (land and online);
- slot machines;
- private poker clubs;
- international betting sites.
- fine up to HK $5 million (about $640,000);
- imprisonment up to 7 years.
For playing in illegal online casinos, punishment is provided for both parties - both for the organizer and for the player.
Types of legal gambling
1. Horse racing
It is the main and oldest form of gambling entertainment in Hong Kong.
HKJC runs over 700 heats annually at Sha Tin and Happy Valley racetracks, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators.
2. Football betting
Allowed since 2003.
HKJC accepts bets for international championships (including Premier League, Champions League, World Cup) online and offline through official points.
3. Mark Six Lottery
Hong Kong's only national lottery in existence since 1975.
Revenues are directed to social and educational programs, including support for youth, sports and health care.
Online gambling
All forms of online casinos, slots, roulette and poker outside of HKJC are illegal.
The Remote Gambling Act 2002 explicitly prohibits:- participation in foreign online casinos;
- using VPN and foreign services for betting;
- advertising and promotion of unlicensed operators.
Internet providers are required to block offshore sites, and banks are required to cut off transactions related to gambling operations.
Nevertheless, despite the bans, some players use international venues (Curacao, Malta, Philippines), but this is illegal and carries legal risks.
Taxation
HKJC is the largest taxpayer in Hong Kong after the government.
In 2024, the club transferred about HK $29 billion ($3.7 billion) to the budget.
These funds are directed to state funds, as well as charity, education and medicine.
Social Policy and Responsible Gaming
Hong Kong pays great attention to the prevention of gambling addiction.
HKJC implements Responsible Gambling programs including:- restrictions on rates and age (21 +);
- anonymous hotlines for players;
- psychological support centers;
- blocking accounts on request.
Each operator is obliged to provide access to information on the risks of malice and assist in its prevention.
Economic importance
Despite the limited forms of gambling, gambling remains an important element of the Hong Kong economy.
As of 2024:- the total turnover of the industry amounted to more than HK $300 billion ($38 billion);
- tax revenues - about 8% of the regional budget;
- more than 25,000 jobs are directly linked to HKJC's operations;
- about 80% of the club's profits go to charity.
Thus, gambling in Hong Kong is not an entertainment industry, but a tool for social financing.
Fighting illegal gambling
Hong Kong is actively fighting offshore operators:- more than 2,000 sites are blocked annually;
- there are "Crownet" and "Thunderbolt" operations against illegal bookmakers;
- intermediaries and organizers of illegal bets are arrested;
- fines reach millions of Hong Kong dollars.
The authorities also cooperate with Interpol and neighboring jurisdictions (Singapore, Macau, Philippines) to exchange data on cross-border gambling crimes.
Prospects
For 2025-2030, HKJC plans to:1. Expand digital betting platforms by improving UX and security.
2. Implement AI monitoring of suspicious transactions.
3. Improve integration with Responsible Gaming government services.
4. Develop international cooperation with licensed bookmakers in Europe.
5. Create a transparent blockchain audit system for bets and payments.
Hong Kong is an example of a tightly regulated, socially responsible and financially sustainable gambling market.
There are no casinos and private operators, but legal bets and lotteries bring billions to the budget, directed to the development of society.
While Macau symbolizes luxury and scale, Hong Kong embodies the model of "reasonable gambling," where excitement is turned into a manageable instrument of the state economy.
