Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC)
hkjc.com
🇭🇰For operators · Tax, marketing & compliance
Hong Kong for operators: state monopoly
Hong Kong enforces a strict state-monopoly model, reserving all major gambling for the non-profit Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) to control betting and fund charitable works.
OverviewOverview built from public sources. An in-depth review of Hong Kong is available on request. Request it
Product by product
| Product | Status |
|---|---|
| Online betting · Lottery | Limited |
| Online casino · Online poker | Banned |
Regulator and player protection in Hong Kong
Regulator
Application authority and enforcement body
Self-exclusion scheme
Hong Kong Jockey Club Voluntary Self-Exclusion
How players exclude themselves; what it covers is in the player guide
Mandatory RG controls
No limit imposed on players
Deposit limits or reality checks the law requires operators to offer
Advertising stance
Limited
Whether you can run TV / sponsorship / paid-social campaigns
Heads-up for operators
3 items
Proposal to Regulate 'Amusements with Prizes'
The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau tabled a proposal to regulate devices like claw machines under a new licensing regime to address potential gambling elements.
Source: 1
Basketball Betting Implementation Suspended
The government indefinitely halted the rollout of legal basketball betting, citing the need to study the impact of emerging illegal 'prediction markets' before proceeding.
Source: 2
In April 2026, the government indefinitely suspended the implementation of legal basketball betting, which had been approved in 2025, citing concerns over the growth of illegal 'prediction markets'. A separate proposal was submitted to the Legislative Council in May 2026 to create a new licensing regime for 'amusements with prizes', such as claw machines, to address potential gambling elements and addiction risks.
Not yet in force: drafts, laws adopted without a start date, and sections of the law still to be commenced. An item moves to the timeline below on the day it takes effect.
Licence Types in Hong Kong
2 licence types are listed for Hong Kong; each says who issues it and what it covers.
| Licence | Regulator | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory gambling licence | Home Affairs Bureau | Statutory | Held exclusively by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for horse racing, Mark Six lottery, and authorised football betting. |
| Mahjong / Tin Kau parlour licence | Home Affairs Bureau | Variable | Limited social-game licences. |
Licensing model
Hong Kong operates a state-monopoly-only model. The government's policy is to contain gambling, granting a statutory monopoly to the non-profit Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) for horse racing, football betting, and lotteries. There is no legal framework for licensing private, local, or offshore operators.
Gambling tax: 75% of GGR
Detail
The HKJC is Hong Kong's largest taxpayer. Operator tax is levied as Betting Duty: 72.5%-75% on horse racing net stake receipts, 50% on football betting net stake receipts, and 25% Lottery Duty on Mark Six proceeds.
Year-1 cost: Not applicable
Hong Kong does not offer gambling licences to private, local, or offshore operators. The market is a statutory monopoly reserved for the non-profit Hong Kong Jockey Club. There is no application process or fee schedule for new entrants as market entry is legally impossible.
| Line item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online Casino Licence | State monopoly | Not available to private operators. |
| Online Sports Betting Licence | State monopoly | Not available to private operators. |
| National Lottery Licence | State monopoly | Not available to private operators. |
| Application Fee | Not applicable | There is no licensing regime for private operators. |
| Operator Tax | Up to 75% of GGR Source3 | Betting Duty is levied on the monopolist HKJC. 72.5%-75% on horse racing, 50% on football, 25% on lotteries. |
Year 1 estimate
Not applicable
Market entry for private operators is not permitted under Hong Kong law.
Which foreign licences Hong Kong accepts
Hong Kong recognises none of these 8 foreign licences.
BannedMalta (MGA)
Offering services to Hong Kong residents is a criminal offence under the Gambling Ordinance. Authorities actively block access to offshore sites.
United Kingdom (UKGC)
All foreign-licensed operators are considered illegal. The HK Police Force actively enforces against unauthorised gambling.
Curaçao (CGB)
Considered an illegal operator. Hong Kong authorities collaborate with mainland China to combat cross-border online gambling.
Alderney (AGCC)
All foreign licences are unrecognised and offering services is a criminal offence.
Kahnawake (KGCB)
No foreign licence provides a legal basis to operate in Hong Kong.
Anjouan
All non-HKJC operations are considered illegal bookmaking and are subject to enforcement.
Isle of Man (GSC)
Subject to police enforcement and potential DNS blocking.
Gibraltar (GRA)
Hong Kong maintains a strict state-controlled monopoly; all other operators are illegal.
Bonus rules: welcome bonuses banned
Bonuses bannedInducement ads: Banned
The concept of promotional regulation is largely inapplicable in Hong Kong due to the state-monopoly structure. The sole legal operator, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), is a non-profit and does not offer commercial bonuses. Any promotion from a private operator is considered an inducement to illegal gambling and is strictly prohibited.
What the player can claim
- Welcome bonus
- Banned
- VIP schemes
- Banned
- Loyalty schemes
- Banned
- Cashback
- Banned
- All gambling verticals are prohibited for private operators.
The HKJC has a membership system, but this is a social club affiliation rather than a gambling-centric loyalty program.
What the operator can advertise
- Channels off-limits
- All channels are banned for advertising illegal gambling operations.
- Penalties
Fines up to 5,000,000 HKD and imprisonment for up to seven years for organizers of illegal bookmaking.
Enforcement is directed at the existence of illegal gambling operations as a whole, rather than specific marketing infractions.
Advertising: limited
Gambling advertising in Hong Kong operates under a strict state-monopoly system, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) is the sole legal operator. Consequently, advertising for all online casino products is completely banned across every channel. In contrast, the HKJC is permitted to advertise its legal sportsbook and lottery offerings but is subject to significant restrictions that vary by medium.
| Channel | Status | Vertical & Platform Split (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search Ads | Licensed operators only | Google permits ads for state-licensed sports betting from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which must obtain country-specific certification. As of March 2026, all gambling advertisers must also meet stricter “Good Policy Health” requirements, including owning their domain and having a proven compliance history, which further cements the HKJC's exclusive access.56 |
| App Store Publishing | Restricted | Apple's App Review Guideline 5.3 requires real-money gambling apps to be licensed and geo-restricted, while Google Play does not permit such apps in Hong Kong. These platform policies effectively ban illegal online casino apps and restrict publishing to the officially authorized apps from the Hong Kong Jockey Club.789 |
| Google/Apple App Store Ads | Restricted | Advertising for real-money gambling apps on both platforms is contingent on the app being legally published on the respective store. As only the HKJC's apps are permissible in Hong Kong, it is the only entity that can run promoted listings or Universal App Campaigns for its legal gambling products.1011 |
| Meta (FB/IG) | Licensed operators only | Meta requires prior written permission and evidence of a valid license for all targeted jurisdictions before running real-money gambling ads. Given that only the Hong Kong Jockey Club is licensed in the region, it is the sole entity that can apply for this permission. All ads must be targeted to users 18 and over.1213 |
| TV & Radio | Restricted | The Broadcasting Ordinance and the Communications Authority's codes of practice prohibit most gambling advertisements, with specific exceptions for the authorized operator (HKJC). Permitted advertising from the HKJC is heavily regulated and must focus on responsible gambling messages rather than encouraging betting.1415 |
| Sponsorships | Restricted | The Gambling Ordinance makes any sponsorship by an illegal online casino or private sportsbook a criminal offence. In contrast, the Hong Kong Jockey Club is a major sponsor of community and sporting events and frames these activities as part of its charitable mission rather than as direct advertising for its wagering services.1617 |
| Digital OOH | Restricted | All out-of-home advertising must comply with the Gambling Ordinance's ban on promoting illegal gambling. For the authorized operator (HKJC), specific Codes of Practice prohibit placing advertisements on billboards or other displays directly adjacent to schools and other institutions for juveniles.1819 |
Channel rules for Hong Kong reflect each platform's published policy and the sources numbered in each row (listed under Methodology & sources). Verify with the local regulator and your ad-platform account manager before launching.
How Hong Kong enforces against unlicensed operators
Hong Kong's enforcement against unlicensed gambling is continuous, coordinated, and severe. The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) actively investigates and prosecutes illegal bookmaking, online gambling syndicates, and associated money laundering. Enforcement targets both operators and players.
- November 2025: Dismantled a HK$1.1 billion triad-linked gambling and money laundering syndicate, arresting 15 people.
- June 2024: 'Operation Nearspace' resulted in 62 arrests and targeted illegal bookmaking websites with over HK$460 million in transactions.
- Ongoing: The HKPF conducts cyber patrols and maintains close intelligence exchange with Mainland China and Macao to combat cross-border operations.
Enforcement cases in Hong Kong: 5 recent
Material regulator actions, court rulings, and high-profile fines from 2016–2026 against operators serving Hong Kong. Each entry includes the technical failure and a one-line read-across for other operators in the market.
- August 2024
International Bookmaking Syndicate (Cambodia-based)
Grey-MarketArrest of 12 individualsRunning an international bookmaking syndicate that collected HK$250 million in illegal bets and used over 600 stooge bank accounts for money laundering.
Read-across: Highlights the targeting of international syndicates using local infrastructure and the legal risks for individuals who sell or rent their bank accounts for money laundering.
- June 2024
Offshore Gambling Websites/Syndicates
Grey-MarketArrest of 57 individualsOperating illegal online gambling websites that handled HK$460 million in bets on football, horse racing, and card games.
Read-across: Demonstrates a significant and ongoing law enforcement focus on dismantling digitalized illegal bookmaking operations, particularly around major sporting events.
- September 2023
Triad-related illegal gambling operations
Grey-MarketArrest of 202 individualsEngagement in various illegal gambling activities controlled by triad organizations, with seizures of cash and chips.
Read-across: Reinforces the strong link between illegal gambling and organized crime, which indicates a higher risk profile for any grey-market activity due to potential association with dangerous criminal enterprises.
- May 2023
Online Gambling Syndicate
AMLArrest of 17 persons for Conspiracy to Money LaunderingThe syndicate utilized local virtual bank accounts to process approximately HKD 240 million in illegal gambling proceeds.
Read-across: Shows that law enforcement is actively targeting the financial infrastructure of illegal gambling, including the use of virtual bank accounts, which poses a significant risk to payment processors and account holders.
- June 2021
Triad-controlled betting syndicate
Grey-MarketArrest of 18 individuals and freezing of 70+ bank accountsOperating one of the largest betting rings in a decade, handling HK$3.4 billion in bets on horse racing and football within four months.
Read-across: This large-scale bust shows the significant financial resources of illegal operators and the authorities' capacity to conduct major, long-term investigations that can completely dismantle such operations.
Market size: 43.126B HKD (2024)
Gross gaming revenue in Hong Kong is approximately 43.126 billion HKD annually. The most popular form of gambling is Football betting. Online gambling represents 60% of total GGR. A culturally distinctive product in this market is Sha Tin and Happy Valley horse racing, Mark Six lottery, HKJC Football.
Licensed operators: ~1
As of 18 Jun 2026, approximately 1 operator hold an active licence in Hong Kong. Size your entry against this base before committing capital.
Notable licensed operators
- Visit site
Traps operators hit in Hong Kong
Specific operational risks that have caught new entrants in this market. Each item is country-specific. Generic gambling-ops issues (KYC, RG tools) are not included unless they have a local twist.
Criminal Prosecution Under the Gambling Ordinance
Operating an unlicensed bookmaking or casino business targeting Hong Kong is a serious criminal offence under the Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148). Penalties include fines up to HK$5 million and imprisonment for up to seven years.
Sources24
Player Prosecution and Market Deterrence
Unlike in many markets, players who bet with illegal operators are actively prosecuted in Hong Kong. The maximum penalty for a player is a HK$50,000 fine and nine months in prison, which significantly deters participation in the black market.
Sources25
Coordinated Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Enforcement
Authorities aggressively pursue the financial networks supporting illegal gambling. Police operations frequently target the use of 'stooge' or puppet bank accounts used to launder proceeds, which leads to asset seizure and separate charges under AML ordinances.
Sources26
Timeline: rules in force
- September 2025
Basketball Betting Framework Approved
The Legislative Council passed the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill to create a legal framework for basketball betting, intended to be operated by the HKJC. Its implementation was later suspended.
Source: 27
- 2003
Football Betting Legalized Under HKJC Monopoly
To combat rampant illegal wagering, authorized football betting was introduced under the exclusive control of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Source: 3
- 1977
Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148) Enacted
The foundational law was passed, establishing a restrictive framework where most gambling is illegal except for specific, authorized exceptions under a state-controlled model.
Source: 3
Operator myths vs reality in Hong Kong
Common assumptions about gambling licensing that turn out to be wrong in practice.
- MythA Curaçao or MGA licence allows us to accept players from Hong Kong as it's an international market.Reality
This is dangerously false. Hong Kong law makes no distinction between foreign licences; all are considered illegal and unauthorised. Targeting Hong Kong residents is a criminal offence, and authorities actively work with mainland China to combat cross-border gambling.
Sources28
- MythEnforcement in Hong Kong only targets triad-run bookies, not sophisticated offshore platforms.Reality
Enforcement targets all forms of illegal gambling. The HKPF's cybercrime units specifically investigate illegal gambling websites, regardless of their origin. The government's suspension of basketball betting due to the rise of sophisticated 'prediction markets' shows regulators are highly aware of new online threats.
Sources26
- MythThe market is 'grey' because the law is old and doesn't mention the internet.Reality
The market is not grey; it is explicitly prohibitive. The Gambling Ordinance's definitions are broad and apply to online activities. The HKJC itself required specific authorization to offer online betting, confirming the Ordinance's applicability to the internet. Any online operator without this statutory authorization is illegal.
Sources29
Markets that work like Hong Kong
Compared on what our records hold for each country: whether online casino, betting, poker and lottery are licensed, state-run or banned, the licensing model, what the operator tax is levied on and its band, how most advertising channels are treated, and how foreign licences are treated. A point we hold for only one of the two countries counts for nothing.
- SingaporeChecked
Online casino and poker banned; betting and lottery limited; state monopoly; most ad channels restricted; foreign licences mostly banned.
- TunisiaAI overview
Online casino and poker banned; betting limited; state monopoly; tax on GGR; most ad channels restricted; foreign licences mostly banned.
- IsraelChecked
Online casino and poker banned; betting limited; state monopoly; most ad channels restricted; foreign licences mostly banned.
- LuxembourgCheckedUruguayChecked
Online casino and poker banned; betting and lottery limited; state monopoly; most ad channels restricted.
Methodology & sources
This page is a Quick AI overview: a summary of public information, not yet checked against the law or the regulator. Treat it as a starting point. It has not yet been through our Deep AI Scan.
How we researchAsk us to run the Deep AI Scan for Hong Kong
Documents cited on this page
- 1SCMP - Hong Kong to tighten grip on claw machines
- 2SCMP - Hong Kong puts launch of basketball betting on hold
- 3Wikipedia - Gambling in Hong Kong
- 4OCNJ Daily - Hong Kong's Gambling Legislation
- 5Google Ads - Gambling and games policy
- 6Google Ads - Gambling and Games Certification Eligibility Update (March 2026)
- 7Apple Developer - App Review Guidelines
- 8Google Play - Developer Program Policies
- 9Legal Pilot - Is Gambling Legal in Hong Kong?
- 10Apple Advertising Policies
- 11Google Ads - Advertising policies for App ads
- 12Meta Business Help Center - Gambling and Gaming Policy
- 13Yogonet - Meta imposes stricter ad compliance rules
- 14Communications Authority - Radio Code of Practice on Advertising Standards
- 15Hong Kong e-Legislation - Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148)
- 16The Hong Kong Jockey Club - Corporate News
- 17Altenar - Gambling Laws in Hong Kong
- 18Chambers and Partners - Advertising & Marketing 2025 - Hong Kong SAR
- 19Global Media Kit - Advertising Regulations in Hong Kong
- 20Yogonet - Police Dismantle Triad-Linked Network
- 21Gov.hk - Police Combat Illegal Bookmaking
- 22Hong Kong Jockey Club Annual Report 2023/24
- 23The Drum
- 24Law.asia - Online Gambling Regulation
- 25Seniorclic.hk - Unlawful Gambling Offences
- 26The Standard - Illegal Gambling Syndicates
- 27iGB - Hong Kong delays start of legal basketball betting
- 28Law.asia - Asia online gambling regulation
- 29HYAB - Gambling Policy
Looking for the player guide?
For consumer-facing information about gambling in Hong Kong (tax on winnings, where to play legally, self-exclusion options), see the Hong Kong player guide.
Disclaimer. This page reflects the law as we understood it on 18 Jun 2026. Rules change: always check the current position with Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB), policy; Betting and Lotteries Commission (BLC), advisory & monitoring. We are not a legal adviser.