Latest news with #MarkSix
South China Morning Post
15-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Legal basketball bets in Hong Kong must come with warnings, education
Hong Kong is likely soon to have another form of legal gambling on top of horse racing, football and the Mark Six lottery, following the government's launch of a public consultation on the proposed legalisation of betting on basketball. Advertisement The month-long consultation will be a forum for arguments for and against the proposal that are similar to those advanced before the legalisation of football betting in 2003. And it can be expected to result in the same outcome, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club aiming at initiating the new betting medium in September in time for the next season. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po unveiled plans to legalise basketball betting in his budget speech in February, saying it could add HK$2 billion (US$258 million) to government revenue, mainly through duty and profits tax. That is not to mention billions in charitable donations every year by the club. The consultation will take into account a proposal by the Jockey Club, the views of the Betting and Lotteries Commission, and a range of community voices. Advertisement The proposed expansion of legal gambling is similar to the football betting regime. The operator will also be barred from accepting bets on local basketball games to safeguard the integrity of the sport from corrupt practices such as match-fixing, or accepting bets from juveniles or on credit.
South China Morning Post
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Ha Chun Chau, Hong Kong renowned actor and ‘Father of Mark Six', dies at 93
Hong Kong veteran actor and first Mark Six lottery host Kenneth Ng Kam-tsun, better known as Ha Chun Chau, has died at the age of 93. Advertisement His daughter, actress Sandra Ng Kwan-yue, announced the news in a social media post on Monday night, with a black and white photo of him. 'My most beloved dad has gone,' she said, immediately drawing in condolences from multiple actors and internet users. Born in 1931, Kenneth Ng was more commonly known by his stage name Ha Chun Chau, which means Summer, Spring and Autumn in Chinese. He joined the film and television industry in the 1950s and mainly played supporting roles. He served at the now-defunct Asia Television (ATV) for around half a century, when it was known as Rediffusion Television in 1957. His well-known dramas included Justice Pao in 1995. Advertisement The actor also took part in film productions featuring famous stars, such as Drunken Master II in 1994. The film tells the story of martial artist Wong Fei-hung, played by Jackie Chan.
South China Morning Post
11-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Replay for gambling fears as legal betting sought on basketball in Hong Kong
The arguments for allowing legal betting on basketball are much the same as those for legalising football betting in 2003. Then, expansion of legal gambling beyond horse racing and Mark Six was justified to combat thriving illegal operations, which is now the case with rogue betting on basketball. The latter now turns over up to HK$90 billion a year, according to the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Advertisement The parallels do not stop there. In 2003 Hong Kong was battling severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), a recession and rising unemployment. Twenty-two years later, the city faces an estimated budget deficit of more than HK$87 billion, following shortfalls of more than HK$100 billion in the previous two financial years. The government has agreed to consider a proposal from the Jockey Club – the city's biggest taxpayer and leading charity donor – for regulated basketball betting. The club is in talks with officials aimed at legalisation by September, in time for the new season. The club estimates basketball betting will eventually be worth HK$1.5 billion a year in revenue for the government. A source said that could take three or four years because the service would only be available during the season and the public needed time to get to know the betting system. The club has welcomed the government's invitation to consider a proposal that would enable it to take on the illegal operators, whom it blames for social problems including loan sharking, as 'a matter of public interest'. The arguments against expanding regulated gambling now are also much the same as 22 years ago, such as the risk of addiction and the impact on youth, among other social dangers. This is really a debate about the case for and against gambling, legal or otherwise, a matter of community concern that has, rightly, given some members of the government pause for reflection, which we can expect to be mirrored by some lawmakers. Advertisement If illegal gambling cannot be stamped out – as exemplified by thriving unregulated football betting – arguably that strengthens the case for proper regulation that brings at least some of the proceeds within the tax net for community benefit.
