Online casinos are illegal in Hong Kong under the Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148), which prohibits all gambling activities except those expressly authorized by the government. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau formulates gambling policy to restrict gambling opportunities to limited authorized and regulated outlets (1). The only legal gambling options include horse racing, football betting, basketball betting, and the Mark Six Lottery operated exclusively by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, along with licensed mahjong parlours (1).
The government's restrictive gambling policy serves a dual purpose of maintaining regulatory control while addressing persistent public demand. Authorities recognize that unregulated gambling activities lead to serious social problems including fraud, underage gambling, loan sharking, and become potential income sources for triad and criminal activities (1). The compromise approach permits only limited authorized outlets to satisfy substantial public demand that would otherwise turn to illegal operators (1).
"Unregulated gambling activities can lead to a number of social problems - frauds, underage gambling, loan sharking, etc. - and become a potential source of income for triad and criminal activities."
Penalties for illegal gambling are significant under Hong Kong law, with offenders facing fines up to HK$50,000 and imprisonment terms reaching nine months. The Gambling Ordinance applies to both operators and participants, making betting with overseas unlicensed platforms illegal regardless of their legitimacy elsewhere (2). In September 2025, Hong Kong expanded legal betting options by passing legislation allowing basketball betting through the HKJC, subject to a 50% tax on net stake receipts, demonstrating cautious market expansion while maintaining strict controls.
Source:
https://www.hyab.gov.hk/en/policy_responsibilities/District_Community_and_Public_Relations/gambling.htm
https://www.hkjc.com/responsible-gambling/en/anti-illegal/myth
Last updated: 13-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
