Hong Kong has a one-license approach to gambling providers. This means that safer gambling initiatives are the sole responsibility of one company alone.
Around 39.5% of Hong Kong's population gambles in some form. This may take the form of sports betting or using the provincial lottery. Those who suffer from a gambling disorder are extremely low, at 0.45% during the last count in 2021. But as one of the most unique legislative landscapes in the world, how are Hong Kong's safer gambling initiatives holding up?
Hong Kong's Approach to Responsible Gambling
When it comes to the Hong Kong SAR Government, it seems that their response to gambling is to limit both the ways in which it can be done and the operators providing services. This has meant that, as the only licensed operator in the country, responsible gambling mainly falls on the shoulders of the Hong Kong Jockeys Club. They provide betting for horse racing and football, as well as providing the Mark Six Lottery.
Many people choose to gamble offshore as a result. There are websites such as online-gambling.com which can rank and review providers based on several factors. These include bonuses, game selections and customer service. Crucially, all the operators serve Hong Kong with language and currency options to get them started.
The club does have several initiatives, many of which are similar to those found in other countries. The most vital of these is no credit betting. The club does not allow cash betting or account-based betting, and people can not use credit cards to gamble.
The club also limits gambling to those over 18 in accordance with Hong Kong law. As there are no online facilities in the country, this applies to all Off-Course Betting Branches (OCBBs) and racecourses where bets can be placed. Proof of age and multiple identification methods are required for accounts. Warning messages are displayed, and the club won't pay out winnings if anyone underage does manage to make a bet.
Gambling Treatment and Counselling Services
The club does have plenty of links and information on its website, along with marketing materials. The Jockey Club also provides funding to the Ping Wo Fund, which was established in September 2023. It provides preventative and remedial measures to those impacted by gambling harm. This is done through research and studies, public education and counselling and treatment.
According to surveys by the Ping Wo Fund, gambling problems are on the decrease. Between 2014 and 2021, they dropped by 1.4%. This suggests that limiting the exposure to gambling services in Hong Kong seems to be working.
It is impossible to liken these services fully to those elsewhere in the world, due to Hong Kong's unique status as a province. While part of China, it also operates outside of it. This means that many of its gamblers may not even be from Hong Kong itself, but come from elsewhere. It also makes comparing its treatment and counselling services hard to do.
There are still initiatives it lacks. For example, it does not have self-exclusion lists like the UK and many European countries. It also does not have strict requirements for sign-up like the Dutch Kruks system. However, this may also be because it still does not provide any online services, which can cause problems with responsible gambling in itself.
Does Limiting Gambling Opportunities Work?
Hong Kong does not allow its one licensed operator, the Hong Kong Jockeys Club, to provide digital and online services. This is either in the form of betting or casino gaming. Thus, there is a good chance that most residents in Hong Kong are going offshore by using a VPN for their digital gaming provisions.
Figures on how much is taken offshore vary. Some outlets state that it matches the amount taken by the Jockey’s Club dollar for dollar. A survey by Oxford Economics suggested this may be as high as HK$12 billion. If figures as concrete as this are hard to ascertain, then the number of people suffering from problem gambling who use offshore operators is also limited.
Not all offshore operators have lax responsible gambling initiatives. Many of them are based on the same platforms that operate in licensed jurisdictions. Thus, they will provide the same coverage and have measures in place, such as know your customer. However, there are those who will not abide by this, and that is when Hong Kong's responsible gambling practices become outdated.
It is quite hard to say how Hong Kong fares against other countries, provinces and states. Not only do millions of tourists visit Hong Kong from mainland China each year to gamble, but it also has no digital offerings. This makes it very unique in the global landscape.
Ignoring the problem does not mean Hong Kong has solved it either. Technology has caught up, and its citizens are undoubtedly going elsewhere for modern ways to entertain themselves. This means Hong Kong must adapt, either by providing its own services, limiting access or funding safer gambling for those using offshore providers.
