Basketball betting: Hong Kong plans fifth counselling centre for gamblers
Hong Kong authorities are planning to set up a fifth counselling centre for gamblers, the home affairs chief has said, with the government proposing to legalise basketball betting and impose a
50 per cent duty on the operator's net profits.
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen said on Sunday that the government would require the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which is set to become the sole licensed basketball betting operator, to contribute to society through donations and policy support.
'For example, it has to increase its donations to the Ping Wo Fund,' Mak told a radio show, referring to the body established by the government in 2003 to finance measures addressing gambling-related problems. It funds four counselling centres.
'We are planning to set up a new centre specifically for young people and offer them education and counselling services, in addition to the current four centres.
'If the club can offer resources to facilitate or implement sports policies, it may be the direction the public wishes to see.'
According to a government paper submitted to the Legislative Council, those aged 18 or under accounted for 1 to 2 per cent of people receiving counselling or treatment from the four centres in the past five years. The proportion of gamblers aged between 18 and 21 remained below 2 per cent in that period, according to the club.
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