The Hong Kong Jockey Club is discussing with authorities for basketball betting to be legalised as soon as September, so punters will be able to gamble on games during the NBA season, the Post has learned.

But it would take another three to four years before basketball betting could rake in HK$1.5 billion (US$192.9 million) in tax revenue per year, a source said on Friday, adding that gambling would only be available online and not at the club’s outlets.

The revelation came two days after Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po announced in his budget speech that the government was considering legalising basketball betting to tackle illegal gambling, and the Jockey Club, which hosts betting on horse racing and football matches, said it would submit a proposal.

Hong Kong recorded a fiscal deficit of HK$87.2 billion for the 2024-25 financial year. The Jockey Club estimated that the turnover for illegal basketball betting reached HK$70 billion to HK$90 billion last year.

The insider said the club met government officials on Friday morning to discuss the issue of legalising basketball betting.

The source said that if the bill were to be passed before September, residents would be able to place their first basketball bets for next year’s NBA season, which usually starts in October.

Hong Kong Jockey Club aims for basketball betting to be legalised by September

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is in discussions with authorities to legalize basketball betting by September, aiming to generate HK$1.5 billion (US$192.9 million) in annual tax revenue. The club met government officials on February 28, 2025, to discuss the proposal. Currently, illegal basketball betting is estimated to reach HK$70 billion to HK$90 billion annually, contributing to a fiscal deficit of HK$87.2 billion for the 2024-25 financial year.