The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) reminds SmartPLAY users that the new measures to combat unauthorised transfer of bookings of LCSD recreation and sports facilities/venues (commonly referred to as touting activities) will take effect tomorrow (January 21).
 
     SmartPLAY has introduced new conditions prohibiting the use of computer programmes or other automated tools to book facilities or interfere with the normal operation of the system. Any breach will result in the suspension of the account concerned for 360 days without prior notice.
 
     The LCSD only accepts bookings made through the official SmartPLAY website, the My SmartPLAY mobile app or smart self-service stations at various leisure venues (including the 18 District Leisure Services Offices) by normal manual procedures. Any attempt to bypass the normal booking procedures or interfere with the normal operation of the system will constitute a breach of the conditions. The LCSD will adopt phased strategies to combat touting activities, and stresses again that users should not provide their user account details to, and pay scalpers to book facilities on their behalf. Users having purchased such booking services or have provided their account details to others should change their passwords as soon as possible to prevent unauthorised use of their accounts.
 
     In addition, to ensure that hirers are genuine users, a hirer is required to provide the information of two other users when booking an indoor basketball or volleyball court starting from tomorrow. The hirer and one of the two users named in the booking are required to check in together and be present during use of the booked session.
 
     Details of the new measures to combat touting activities are available at the LCSD's thematic webpage "Improvement measures to booking and use of recreation and sports facilities" (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/facilities/facilitiesbooking/procedure/ls_fac_improve.html). For enquiries, please call the SmartPLAY hotline at 3954 5150. 

Ends/Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:00

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