Gambling in Hong Kong

The Gambling Ordinance was enacted in 1977 to regulate gambling in Hong Kong.[1] People are allowed gamble for leisure and entertainment within these regulations at a limited number of authorized outlets. Social gambling is still allowed.

Legality

The government of Hong Kong restricts organized gambling to a few regulated outlets. The government enacted the Gambling Ordinance in 1977 to rein in excessive gambling while still providing gambling to the populace.[2] Gambling involving a bookmaker is illegal in Hong Kong.[2] 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.The revenue the club generates from various wagers makes it the largest taxpayer for the government.[3]

Hong Kong generates the largest horse race gambling turnover in the world. The Hong Kong Jockey Club founded in 1884, holds a monopoly on horse racing wagers, lotteries and football betting and is the largest taxpayer to the government.[3] In 2009, Hong Kong generated an average US$12.7 million in gambling turnover per race 6 times larger than its closest rival France at US$2 million while the United States only generated $250,000.[4]

During the 2014-2015 racing season the Hong Kong Jockey Club attracted about HK$138.8 million (US$17.86 million) per race more that any other track in the world. Hong Kong Jockey Club broke its own record during the 2016-2017 season with a turnover of HK$216.5 billion and paid the government HK$21.7 billion in duty and profits tax, an all-time high.[5]

Charities

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.[2]

Recent events

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.[6]

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See also

References
  1. Deans, R. (2001). Online gambling: changes to Hong Kong's gambling legislation. Gaming Law Review., 5(6), Retrieved from http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/109218801753336166?journalCode=glr doi:10.1089/109218801753336166
  2. "Responsible gambling policy". Hong Kong Jockey Club. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  3. Balfour, Fredrick (22 February 2016). "Hong Kong Horse Racing Is Serious Business". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  4. "Hong Kong's hardcore gamblers". CNNMoney. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  5. Mok, Danny (1 September 2017). "Hong Kong Jockey Club has record-breaking year". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  6. Hong Kong police smash illegal world cup betting ring. (2010, June 13). Asia Pacific News, Retrieved from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1062884/1/.html
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