The following is issued on behalf of the Ping Wo Fund Advisory Committee:
      
     The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the Ping Wo Fund launched a territory-wide anti-gambling publicity campaign today (June 7). The campaign aims to raise public awareness of gambling-related problems and the risks of addiction, while promoting no-gambling messages during the 2026 FIFA World Cup period.
      
     The Ping Wo Fund will organise a range of territory-wide events and publicity activities, including today's anti-gambling football fun day and a series of thematic exhibitions. The exhibitions will also feature football-themed interactive games, with the campaign slogan "No Bets. No Regrets.", enabling the public to enjoy the fun of football while conveying anti-gambling messages.
      
     Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, said that as a matter of policy, the Government does not encourage gambling. The Government adopts a multipronged strategy to address gambling-related problems, including law enforcement against illegal gambling activities, public education on the harms of gambling addiction, as well as the provision of counselling and support services to people in need. Football itself is a sport that benefits both body and mind. She urged members of the public, while watching the World Cup, to bear in mind that they should be rational and responsible football fans, stay away from gambling and build a healthy, gambling-free lifestyle for themselves and their families. She also reminded the public that participating in illegal gambling (such as placing bets with illegal websites) is an offence. Upon conviction, an offender is liable to a maximum penalty of a $50,000 fine and imprisonment for nine months.
      
      Miss Mak added that, apart from football betting, some gambling games on the market that feature elements of "winning big with small stakes" may also be addictive, and teenagers should stay vigilant. The Ping Wo Fund will strengthen its publicity efforts in both online and traditional media to remind the public to stay away from gambling and the traps of addiction.

     Sponsored by the Ping Wo Fund and managed by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Even Centre, the Anti-Gambling Ping Wo Truck will tour the territory and pay visits to schools to educate the public on the harms caused by gambling addiction through multimedia exhibitions and interactive games. The four counselling and treatment centres funded by the Ping Wo Fund will step up their services, such as extending their service hours to answer the gambling counselling hotline (183 4633) and respond to text messages received online or from instant messaging applications. They will also organise more outreach activities so that those in need can receive timely and appropriate assistance.　
      
     The establishment of the Ping Wo Fund aims to finance public education and other measures to prevent or alleviate problems relating to gambling; provide counselling, treatment, and other support services for gamblers with gambling disorders and those affected by them; and conduct research and studies into problems and issues relating to gambling. The Ping Wo Fund Advisory Committee is a non-statutory body to advise the HYAB on the use and application of the Fund.
      
     For details of the anti-gambling publicity campaign, please visit the Fund website at www.donotgamble.org.hk.

Ends/Sunday, June 7, 2026
Issued at HKT 15:30

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