Latest news with #AliceMak
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
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.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong proposes 50% duty on net profits from basketball betting
Hong Kong authorities have proposed a 50 per cent duty on the operators' net betting profits from basketball gambling, while a public consultation found that 94 per cent of respondents supported legalising such activities. In a paper submitted to the Legislative Council on Thursday, the government said that the existing calculation and collection methods for football betting tax could be adopted for basketball gambling as one of the amendments to the Betting Duty Ordinance. The duty on football betting is levied at 50 per cent of the net stake receipts. 'The government's policy is not to encourage gambling. We adopt a multipronged approach targeting illegal betting. Law enforcement and strengthening efforts in it are our foremost measures,' Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen said. 'Another measure will be promotion, education and counselling services. The last resort is when illegal gambling activities have become rampant; we need a limited and legal channel to divert illegal gambling activities into legal betting.' The proposal will be discussed at a meeting of Legco's home affairs, culture and sports panel on Monday. Authorities earlier proposed establishing a regulatory regime for basketball betting by modelling it on the existing one for football wagering. The Hong Kong Jockey Club's latest assessment showed that illegal basketball betting turnover reached HK$70 billion to HK$90 billion last year.
RTHK
11-05-2025
- Business
- RTHK
New youth facility 'to promote global exchanges'
New youth facility 'to promote global exchanges' Alice Mak says the new Kai Tak facility, transformed from Covid-19 isolation camps, aims to attract overseas youths. File photo: RTHK Home and youth affairs minister Alice Mak said on Sunday that a new youth facility in Kai Tak will offer an exchange platform for youngsters from around the world. The setting up of the "Youth Post" hostel and spaces for cultural and arts exchanges was first laid out by Chief Executive John Lee in his policy address last October. The facility, which was transformed from Covid-19 isolation camps, will be in operation from October. Its operator has promised to host 14 public activities per year, and a bazaar each month in its first year. Speaking on a TVB programme, Mak said the new venue aims to attract young people from overseas. "When we speak to youths from different places, they often say it is difficult to find a place to live in Hong Kong," she said. "So we hope by building the hostel for them, we could encourage and invite youths to come to Hong Kong, fostering more exchanges." She pointed out that the facility, along with the cruise terminal and Sports Park nearby, could jointly hold activities to attract visitors to the area. Separately, Mak said her bureau has been preparing for different activities throughout the year for the "Night Vibes" campaign. She said there has been a good response since the project was rolled out last year, with businesses saying they recorded a 30 percent increase in sales during the Songkran festival last month in Kowloon City. Mak added that the campaign not only encourages people to stay in the city, but also strengthens their sense of belonging to their community and coordinates the use of community resources.
