Is Online Gambling Legal in Hong Kong?
The good news is that online gambling in Hong Kong is not restricted. The official authorities in the jurisdiction control mainly the land-based gaming activities. There are no specific laws that forbid players from accessing gambling websites. However, there are no Hong Kong-based online gaming operators.
Those who want to gamble online can use the services of offshore operators. Of course, they need to be licensed and controlled by reputable gambling regulators to ensure a secure gaming environment.
Land-Based Gambling Overview
The land-based gaming establishments in Hong Kong are very popular. The governing authorities control them to imply better standards and, therefore, a safer gambling environment. Land-based gambling is available only in specific authorized locations throughout the territory of the jurisdiction.
Official Regulatory Body
Gambling in the jurisdiction is regulated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. This organization is primarily responsible for issuing licenses to land-based betting establishments. Some of them may also be allowed to offer certain casino games.
On the other hand, online gambling operators need to have valid licenses from reputable gambling regulators for the iGaming business. This is what guarantees their trustworthiness. Some of the most popular gaming regulators also license the best gambling sites in Hong Kong.
Since online gambling in Hong Kong is not restricted, those who decide to enjoy the services of online operators need to pay attention to the proper licensing. Gambling websites with valid licenses can provide players with high safety standards and a secure gaming environment.
Is Online Gambling Taxable in Hong Kong?
Gambling activities in Hong Kong that the government regulates are subject to taxation. However, online gambling is not specifically controlled by any governing authority. There are no online gambling websites based in the jurisdiction that are allowed to accept HK players.
Therefore, there are no specific taxes related to online gambling in Hong Kong. This means that players who access offshore online gambling sites for real money are not required to pay taxes on their winnings.
Legal Gambling Age
Those who want to participate in any gambling activities in Hong Kong (that are officially regulated) need to be at least 18 years old. This is the legal gambling age for the jurisdiction. Therefore, all gaming establishments are not allowed to accept underage players.
Players who want to access online gaming websites need to read the terms and conditions of the operators and check the legal gambling age for every website. The legal gambling age in the safe gambling sites that are regulated, in most cases, is also 18 years.
Penalties for Illegal Gambling
The government in Hong Kong controls gambling activities in the jurisdiction strictly. All gaming establishments need to be licensed by the official regulators. These measures have been implemented to battle illegal gambling and to impose a better gaming environment.
The gambling laws in the jurisdiction are strict. All illegal gaming activities are prosecuted by the governing authorities. Penalties may include imprisonment for those offering or participating in illegal gambling.
The Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148) clearly outlined which gaming activities are legal according to the laws. For instance, a fine of up to HK$5 million and imprisonment of up to 7 years may be the penalty for accepting illegal bets.
Upcoming Regulation Changes
The current gambling regulations in Hong Kong have been established to better control gaming activities in the jurisdiction. The other task of the regulations is to minimize the presence of illegal gaming activities so that a better gambling environment can be settled.
Since all these regulations have shown positive effects throughout the years, the government is expected to follow them onward. The governing authorities might also pass different amendments related to the current gambling laws to improve the control.
Our team of experts follows the latest changes and information related to the gambling laws in Hong Kong. We will let you know as soon as possible if there are any major changes and important upcoming regulations.
Responsible Gambling & Addiction Prevention
Safe gambling is a top priority nowadays. Therefore, legal online gambling sites need to offer players a secure gaming environment. To do this, they collaborate with reputable, responsible gambling organizations. They can provide support to players who feel at risk of problem gambling.
Therefore, you are always advised to adhere to specific organizations such as the Caritas Add icted Gamblers Counselling Centre[2] or the Zion Social[3] in case you need assistance. The TWGHs Even Centre[4] is also another institution that operates in Hong Kong.
On the other hand, safe gambling sites in Hong Kong offer different tools for self-exclusion. What this means is that customers can set their deposit limits or limit the time they can play on the gambling website. All these measures are an essential part of the operators’ overall trustworthiness.
History of Gambling in Hong Kong
Gambling in Hong Kong has a long history. Throughout the years, the overall landscape has changed a lot. Various illegal gaming activities have been available, but as time has passed, the governing authorities have implemented different regulations to limit illegal gaming and establish a controlled environment.
The first regulations and taxation related to gambling in Hong Kong date back to 1867. Maybe the most significant event was in 1884 when the Hong Kong Jockey Club was established. Then, the horse racing industry in the jurisdiction became extremely popular.
Throughout the years, gambling has been banned for a specific period, after which certain gaming activities have been legalized again. You can check more about the chronology in the table below.