Gambling License Hong Kong

Posted on 4/15/2022 admin

Understanding The Legality Of Gambling In Hong Kong. Legally, for gambling Hong Kong residents must play at approved outlets and sites. Residents must be over 18 to gamble. Under current Gambling Ordinance law, amended in 2006, gambling on lotteries and sports is legal if operated by approved providers. Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) holds a government-granted monopoly on all gambling involving horse races, football matches, and lottery. Bets made through HKJC approved channels are legal. Mahjong is covered separately in the law and poker is a gray area (mostly considered illegal).

An extract from The Gambling Law Review, 5th Edition. In Hong Kong, the most common types of lawful gambling available to the general public are lotteries, horse racing and football betting. Hong Kong Poker House is the first ever club in Hong Kong casino to host a wide variety of games in a sophisticated and stylish ambiance. Visitors can enjoy playing poker which is complemented with additional services like delicious food and a range of cocktails and mocktails from the trendy bar space and restaurant, and foot tapping lounge music played by an in-house DJ. The HKJC is a government-sponsored non-profit corporation that manages the only legal forms of gambling in Hong Kong. Residents are free to place bets via the HKJC, but all other forms of gambling are outlawed in Hong Kong.

Whenever I walked pass the Hong Kong Jockey Club, there were a group of teenagers reading newspapers and discussing horse racing or football gambling. This phenomenon has been getting more serious over the past ten years. Teen gambling is a crucial social problem in Hong Kong. There are several factors which cause teen gambling problem and these will be elaborated in the following essay.

First of all, high accessibility of gambling activities is one of the factors that lead to teen gambling problem. According to a survey conducted by TWGHs Even Centre on 1^st January 2010, the percentage of teenagers below the age of 25 who are addicted to football gambling had increased from 62% in 2008 to 82% in 2009. With the legalization of football gambling introduced in 2003, teenagers who are 18 or above can legally participate in gambling activities organized by Hong Kong Jockey Club. As Hong Kong Jockey Club betting centers are located everywhere, young people can easily gamble on football matches anytime. It will worsen the teen gambling problem in Hong Kong.

The Internet is another way for teens to access gambling information. Some websites that provide detailed football or horse racing odds and some online advertisements that contain betting tips provide teens an opportunity to engage in betting activities. Even newspapers include a great deal of gambling data which can be easily obtained by teenagers especially those below eighteen.

Moreover, the influence of family members and peer is another reason that gives rise to the problem of teen gambling. Horse racing has a long history which makes the majority of men in Hong Kong take part in gambling activities. It is not uncommon to see a crowd of middle-aged men clustered around the Hong Kong Jockey Club on a racing day. As many teens regard their parents as role models, they will imitate what their parents do. If parents engage in gambling, teens will think that gambling is a normal activity and they will participate too. Some parents will even help their children to gamble. As time passes, the idea of gambling will become distorted in the minds of young people and hence, the number of young gamblers will increase.

Peers play an important role in influencing teenagers. Some young people want to fit into their friend’s group, so they will follow what their friends do. If they meet some youngsters who are misbehaved, the probability of them getting involved in betting will increase.

Last but not least, most teenagers think that gambling is the most effective and fastest way to gain money. In this modern society, people equate material goods with a high quality of life. Therefore, children in Hong Kong have grown up in and be influenced by this materialistic society. However, some may not have such high purchasing power and they will find ways to earn money. Thus, gambling will be the way to obtain quick money. By taking risks, people have the opportunity to double their money. Worse still, some young people will engage in illegal gambling as the odds are higher than legal betting and it is easier to access. However, illegal gambling will cause teenagers to incur a huge debt and end up in jail.

To conclude, there are many factors that lead to teen gambling. High accessibility of gambling is one of the social factors. We cannot neglect the influence of family and peers which plays a crucial role in determining whether youngsters engage in betting activities. Teenagers’ personal desire is another factor. In order to cope with this problem, we need all-rounded and long term solutions since teenagers are the future pillars of our society.

Updated on Wednesday 20th December 2017

The gambling law in Hong Kong

All gambling activities in Hong Kong are regulated through the Gambling Ordinance of 1977 with its subsequent amendments. The city only allows for a number of gambling activities and any others are punishable by law by large fees and/or imprisonment of various duration.

Betting with foreign bookmakers that do not comply with the law and in unauthorized gambling establishments is prohibited. Our Hong Kong company formation representativescan give you complete details about setting up and managing gambling outlets and gambling sites.

Gambling activities in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has a very strict regulation regarding gambling and while such activities are not prohibited completely, there are few authorized outlets that provide these services. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has a monopoly granted by the government for all gambling activities related to horse racing, football and lottery. Mahjong and poker are two popular games in Hong Kong and while the first is regulated through a special law, the latter is not clearly defined by law and it is borderline illegal.

Considerations for investors

The Hong Kong gambling law is designed to control these activities and reduce excessive gambling but at the same time provide certain gambling options to the population. The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Mark Six Lottery, authorized football betting and gaming activities are the only allowed gambling opportunities and outlets operational in the city.

Mahjong parlours in Hong Kong need to be licensed and approved by the Secretary for Home Affairs. Gambling is lawful if it the games are played on social occasions and are not used as a means of business or trade. Lawful games include those played with dominoes, dice, mahjong or playing cards. Social gaming can also take place in restaurants in Hong Kong or in clubs which have authorizations for functioning.

Our partner lawyers in Hong Kong can give you detailed information about the Gambling Ordinance and its specific provisions for betting in Hong Kong.

If you want to know more about how to open a business in Hong Kong in another field please contact our Hong Kong company formation representatives.

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