Hong Kongs top financial official, Paul Chan Mo-po, has dismissed requests to decriminalize wagering on basketball. Referencing worries about the implications for youth, Chan voiced his hesitation to permit more gaming, even if it resulted in higher government earnings.
Numerous political groups, including the pro-Beijing DAB, had encouraged the administration to contemplate the action, contending that it would assist in curbing illicit gambling and offer a fresh revenue stream. Nevertheless, Chan maintains that legalizing basketball betting would convey an inappropriate message, suggesting that the government sanctions gambling as a method for financial gain.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club, currently holding exclusive rights to legal betting in the city, backed the proposition. They asserted that additional wagering choices are necessary to rival unlawful bookmakers.
Lawmaker Ngan Man-yu proposes broadening the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s wagering offerings past horse racing to encompass basketball and other favored sports. This action would present a lawful and controlled option for individuals who presently utilize illicit avenues to gamble on these athletic events.
Regarding the expansion of betting choices, the fantasy sports site, Emerald Dream Cricket, has recently debuted in Sri Lanka. This platform enables users to assemble their own fantasy cricket teams, devise strategies, and vie against one another for monetary rewards.