Hong Kong Government has declared that it is not going to follow the example of Singapore when it comes to online gambling regulations and blocking gaming websites. The issue with international websites “leeking” national gambling revenue has been one of the major global topics in the industry.
After Singapore increased its control over international websites, the Hong Kong public has been requiring the same of its Government. Last Saturday, a Chinese newspaper announced that the Singapore Home Affairs Bureau released an official statement that it will not block any international gaming websites.
The Government spokesperson explained that the governmental authorities “do not block one’s Internet access” due to the “freedom to access information”.
The Hong Kong Government, however, has not simply let international gambling businesses to freely operate in the region. It has undertaken a complex strategy which includes a variety of aspects from different social and economic areas, which combined, are aiming at making sure that offline and online gambling is a legitimate and profitable business.
Changes in the regulations and operations of the national police department, school education on the effects of gambling, business and personal counselling and other legislation improvements were made in order to create a healthy atmosphere for both citizens and gambling businesses. The Government assured the public that it is constantly monitoring and controlling online operators, and is conducting research concerning how gambling affects the lives of its citizens.
It also stands behind the belief that with the right information, legislations and advice, citizens can make their own choices and decide whether to gamble or not. Banning online gambling may increase the desire of many to try something that is forbidden.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has expressed its disapproval of these “mild” regulations. It deemed the online gambling websites as having “links to organized crime” and that anyone who bets through those websites is taking part in “a blood crime”.
The HKJC is the only licensed organization that can currently accept online bets in the Hong Kong region. These accusations were diminished by a recent research conducted by employees of the Shue Yan University. They found out that more than 30% of those who use HKJC for online wagering are under the legal age required to gamble.
When asked why they prefer to bet via international websites, Hong Kong citizens said that the chances of winning there are better than those at the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The current gambling law states, that unlicensed online operators can get up to seven years in prison. That is, if they have based their business under Hong Kong jurisdiction. During the 2014 Football World Cup, there were more than 170 people caught by the Hong Kong Police for illegal betting.
The most-desired destination for online gambling operators in Asia is currently the Philippines, where online gambling is allowed with the condition that the operators do not accept wagers from local citizens. Countries such as Cambodia, Japan and South Korea are slowly changing their online gambling legislation in order to earn more revenue and increase their overall tourist inflow.
