Hong Kong formally passes bill legalising basketball betting with 50% tax on profit
Summary
The Legislative Council has passed the third reading of the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025, legalising basketball betting in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be the sole licensed operator under the same model used for horse racing and football. The bill passed with 77 votes in favour, two against and two abstentions.
The law sets a betting tax of 50% of net profit (matching the football rate) and aims to reduce traffic to illegal betting sites and curb illicit gambling funds. HKJC estimates illegal basketball betting turnover at around HK$70–90 billion last year. Officials say implementation timelines and operational details will be worked out with HKJC; a commercial launch is not expected before September 2026 as systems are developed and to align with the NBA 2026/27 season.
Source
Key Points
- The Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 passed its third reading, legalising basketball betting in Hong Kong.
- The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be the sole licensed operator under conditions set by the government.
- Betting tax will be 50% of net profit, the same rate applied to football betting.
- The government expects the move to reduce illegal betting; HKJC estimated illegal turnover at HK$70–90 billion last year.
- The bill vote was 77 in favour, two against and two abstentions.
- Operational rollout may slip to around September 2026 to allow HKJC time to build systems and align with the NBA season.
- Projected to generate substantial tax revenue and support HKJC’s community contributions.
Why should I read this?
Because this is a proper shift for Hong Kong’s gaming landscape — a legal market for basketball, a hefty 50% tax, and a single operator all have real consequences for bettors, operators and public finances. We read the bill so you don’t have to: if you’re in gaming, regulation, finance or you bet on hoops, the key takeaways above matter.
Context and relevance
The move follows a public consultation that showed strong support for legalising basketball betting. It fits an industry trend of regulators bringing previously illicit markets into a tightly controlled legal framework to protect consumers and capture tax revenue. The HKJC monopoly model centralises oversight but will also shape market dynamics, competition and how quickly regulated services replace illegal operators.
Author take
Punchy and to the point: this is high-impact policy. Expect a crackdown on the black market, a boost in fiscal receipts and a strengthened role for HKJC in the local betting economy. Watch timelines closely — implementation details will determine how fast the new market actually opens.
