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The Chief Executive has re-appointed the incumbent chairman and 11 members to the Betting and Lotteries Commission under the Betting Duty Ordinance. The Chief Executive has also appointed three new members to the commission. The appointments are for two years with effect from August 1.
According to the ordinance, the function of the commission is to advise the Secretary for Home Affairs on matters relating to:
(a) regulation of the conduct of horse race betting, football betting and lotteries;
(b) issuance and revocation of licences in respect of (a) above and the variation of the licensing conditions;
(c) compliance with the licensing conditions by the licensees and the handling of complaints that relate to the non-compliance with the conditions of the licence; and
(d) imposition of financial penalties on the licensees.
Mr Moses Cheng Mo-chi is re-appointed as the chairman of the commission. The following eight members have been re-appointed:
* Mr Paul Chan Kam-cheung;
* Mr Paul Fan Chor-ho;
* Mr Felix Fong Wo;
* Mr Ho Hon-kuen;
* Mr. Albert Hung Chao-hong;
* Mrs Fanny Lai Ip Po-ping;
* Father Peter John Newbery
* Mr Wong Kwan-yu
The three new members appointed are:
* Mrs Grace Lam Wong Pik-har;
* Ms Starry Lee Wai-king; and
* Mr William Tsang Chi-hung
The three public officers re-appointed to the commission are the Commissioner of Police or representative, Permanent Secretary for Education or representative, and Director of Home Affairs or representative.
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, welcomed the appointments.
Mr Tsang said the commission comprised a balanced composition of individuals from different sectors. "It will help the Government address the wide range of public concerns regarding authorised horse race and football betting and lotteries, as well as advise the Government on matters relating to regulation of betting activities.
"We will continue to work closely with the commission to facilitate the latter in properly discharging its statutory functions," Mr Tsang said.
Ends/Friday, July 27, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:00
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