The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (June 11) a new measure to enhance the authentication of the identity of hirers of leisure and sports facilities/venues, aiming to further combat unauthorised transfer of bookings of these facilities/venues (commonly referred to as touting activities).
 
     Under the new measure, with effect from July 7, 2026, SmartPLAY users who log into the My SmartPLAY mobile app via "iAM Smart" will have priority in booking facilities available within seven days from 7am each day. SmartPLAY users not intending to use "iAM Smart" can continue to log into the My SmartPLAY mobile app, the official SmartPLAY website, smart self-service stations or service counters at various leisure venues to make bookings from 7.15am each day. The new measure leverages the authentication function of "iAM Smart" to strengthen the verification of the identity of hirers of leisure and sports facilities/venues. As the period from 7am to 7.15am is the peak booking time of ordinary users and also the most active booking time of "touters" using computer programmes or automated tools, implementing the new measure in this period will more effectively prevent touting activities.
 
     As "iAM Smart" is for use by persons aged 11 or above, SmartPLAY users aged under 11 can continue to make bookings through the My SmartPLAY mobile app from 7am each day.
 
     For the above new measure, the LCSD strongly encourages SmartPLAY users aged 11 or above to register as "iAM Smart" users for making priority bookings of leisure and sports facilities/venues from 7am each day. Members of the public may visit the "iAM Smart" website (www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/reg.html) to understand how to register as "iAM Smart" users. In addition, the Digital Policy Office will set up mobile service counters at the LCSD's leisure venues from June 14 to August 9 to assist members of the public in registering as "iAM Smart" users. Details are set out in the Annex. For details of the identity authentication of "SmartPLAY" users via "iAM Smart", please visit the "News" (www.smartplay.lcsd.gov.hk/website/en/news.html) and "Tutorial Video" (www.smartplay.lcsd.gov.hk/website/en/video/tutorial.html) sections on the official SmartPLAY website, or call the enquiry hotline at 3954 5150.
 
     For implementing the above new measure, the LCSD will temporarily suspend the services of the My SmartPLAY mobile app and the official SmartPLAY website from 10.30am to 1.30pm on June 22 (Monday) for conducting a system upgrade. Users who plan to access the system during the said period are advised to do so before or after that period. Alternatively, users may access the SmartPLAY system by using the smart self-service stations or service counters at various leisure venues in person.
 
     The LCSD once again reminds SmartPLAY users not to permit any third party to use their "iAM Smart" accounts, and not to provide their account information to "touters" for making bookings. Any users who have ever used touting services or provided their account information to others should change their passwords as soon as possible. The LCSD will continue to strictly enforce the Conditions of Use of SmartPLAY. For any users breaching the conditions concerned by using computer programmes or automated tools to make bookings or interfere with the normal operation of the system, regardless of whether they have logged into the SmartPLAY system via "iAM Smart" and whether any booking or transaction has been made, the LCSD will suspend their accounts for 360 days without giving any prior notice. 

Ends/Thursday, June 11, 2026
Issued at HKT 15:00

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