Gambling in Hong Kong
Encyclopedia
Gambling in Hong Kong has been regulated since 1977 when the Gambling Ordinance was enacted in response to frequent gambling in Hong Kong
. People gamble in a controlled way as a form of leisure and entertainment. Gamblers that gamble as an obsession are known as "problem gamblers". An organization known as the Hong Kong Jockey Club
has a goal to promoting responsible gambling practices among those who gamble and to minimizing the negative effects of problem gambling. The club plans on providing social, responsible betting to meet their goal. The club looks for a balance between meeting the demand for gambling and maximizing the social and economic benefits of gambling for the community, while helping to minimize potential harm to the individual and the community.
which takes bets on horse races, football matches, and a lottery. The club is Hong Kong’s largest single tax payer, and it is Hong Kong’s largest employer.
when a bookmaker is involved. Betting with a bookmaker
and betting in a place other than a gambling establishment is an offense. Illegal gambling is money that doesn’t get put on taxes in Hong Kong, and it makes no contributions to Hong Kong charities. Legal gambling is only possible through the Hong Kong Jockey Club
. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has a website that allows for bets to be made on different teams, or bets can be placed over the phone by calling the Club.
police arrested 25 people for having an illegal gambling ring that took bets on World Cup matches worth more than 66 million Hong Kong dollars. Earlier in the year the Hong Kong police set up a task force to help stop illegal football gambling.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. People gamble in a controlled way as a form of leisure and entertainment. Gamblers that gamble as an obsession are known as "problem gamblers". An organization known as the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, founded in 1884 to promote horse racing. It was granted Royal Charter and renamed to "The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club" in 1959...
has a goal to promoting responsible gambling practices among those who gamble and to minimizing the negative effects of problem gambling. The club plans on providing social, responsible betting to meet their goal. The club looks for a balance between meeting the demand for gambling and maximizing the social and economic benefits of gambling for the community, while helping to minimize potential harm to the individual and the community.
History
The Hong Kong Government policy is to restrict gambling, other than social gambling, to a limited number of controlled authorized outlets. By doing this the public demand for gambling is being met, and regulation is confirming that gambling opportunities are not excessive. Gambling is illegal in the city except through the Hong Kong Jockey ClubHong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, founded in 1884 to promote horse racing. It was granted Royal Charter and renamed to "The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club" in 1959...
which takes bets on horse races, football matches, and a lottery. The club is Hong Kong’s largest single tax payer, and it is Hong Kong’s largest employer.
Illegal and legal gambling
Problem gambling is common in other countries because the different forms of gambling are simple to access in particular electronic gaming machines and casino table games. Gambling is illegal in Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
when a bookmaker is involved. Betting with a bookmaker
Bookmaker
A bookmaker, or bookie, is an organization or a person that takes bets on sporting and other events at agreed upon odds.- Range of events :...
and betting in a place other than a gambling establishment is an offense. Illegal gambling is money that doesn’t get put on taxes in Hong Kong, and it makes no contributions to Hong Kong charities. Legal gambling is only possible through the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, founded in 1884 to promote horse racing. It was granted Royal Charter and renamed to "The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club" in 1959...
. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has a website that allows for bets to be made on different teams, or bets can be placed over the phone by calling the Club.
Charities
The Hong Kong Jockey is a not-for-profit organization. By being this type of organization all of the funds are sent to charities, community agencies, and projects. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has a separate company that focuses only on charities. The name is the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and in the 2008/2009 year the club donated a total of HK$1.37 billion. For more than a decade The Trust has donated at an average of more than HK$1 billion each year. The club has four main areas of civic and social needs that the contributions go to, and they include:- Community serviceCommunity serviceCommunity service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions....
- EducationEducationEducation in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
and trainingTrainingThe term training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. It forms the core of apprenticeships and provides the backbone of content at institutes of... - Medical and HealthHealthHealth is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
- Sports, recreationRecreationRecreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
and cultureCultureCulture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
Recent News in Gambling
During the 2010 World CupFIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
police arrested 25 people for having an illegal gambling ring that took bets on World Cup matches worth more than 66 million Hong Kong dollars. Earlier in the year the Hong Kong police set up a task force to help stop illegal football gambling.