Remarks by SHYA at media session after passage of Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025
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Reporter: So, what is the expected timeline for the roll out of legalising basketball betting, and what regulatory measures will be implemented to ensure responsible betting and protect vulnerable populations?
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs: First of all, I would like to thank the Legislative Council for passing the Bill. After the passage of the Bill, we will move on to liaise with the Hong Kong Jockey Club about the terms of the licence and, after the negotiations and liaison, we will issue the licence to the operator, that is, the Hong Kong Jockey Club. I think they need some time to gear up, like implementing some IT measures and some facilities. We will announce the substantial timeline in the near future.
As for public education on how to educate and publicise the bad influence and effects of illegal betting and irresponsible gambling, we will launch a series of new measures including public education and publicity measures focusing on teenagers. We will also set up another new centre, which will focus on the education and publicity work for young people in the near future. Altogether, under the Ping Wo Fund, there will be five education centres and support centres to help those with problems like illegal gambling or obsessive gambling.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Ends/Thursday, September 11, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:05
Issued at HKT 15:05
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