Best Hong Kong Betting Sites

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, as its official name implies.  While in China, all forms of gambling are strictly illegal, that’s not the case here. According to the Gambling Ordinance, gambling in Hong Kong is -principally- illegal too; except for what runs under authorization from the government, which includes horse racing, football betting and lottery.

More specifically, sports betting in Hong Kong is legal; as long as it takes place under the wings of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The HKJC is a non-profit organization that donates literally millions of dollars back to the local society. Despite the strict laws, and they are strict indeed, many local players choose to play at international bookies. Many of them operate in the area, accepting and luring local players with a wide range of betting markets.

Best Betting Sites in Hong Kong

Sports betting is legal, and there are many international bookies accepting local bettors. So we list the best bookmakers in Hong Kong, standing out for their numerous special bets and welcome bonuses, as well as for the extensive coverage of the biggest football competitions they offer.

Betting in Hong Kong - 5 Things to Know

• 1
  Gambling, in general, is illegal, apart from a few exceptions
• 2
  Sports betting is legal only through the Hong Kong Jockey Club
• 3
  18 is the minimum age for gamblers
• 4
  Heavy fines and up to 9 months of imprisonment await lawbreakers
• 5
  Authorities, however, do not block access to international bookies

General info

⏩Population: 7.600.000

⏩Active players: 1.000.000

⏩Currency: Hong Kong dollar (HKD)

⏩Regulated gambling products: Sports betting, lotteries

⏩Operator types: Lotteries, betting shops, unlicensed online bookies & casinos

⏩Designated authority: The Home Affairs Bureau

⏩Status: Regulated

Hong Kong Odds

When targeting local markets, it is important for international bookies to offer a localized interface. In our case, betting comes with Hong Kong odds too. Also referred to as HK odds, they are probably one of the simplest odds types out there. If you’re placing a bet at even odds, it will be shown as ‘1’.

It’s really easy to convert HK odds to decimal odds. You just need to add '1' to the number you got, and your Hong Kong odds change to decimal odds. Just check the table for yourself:

HK Odds	Decimal Odds
0.55	1.55
1	2
2.55	3.55
4.60	5.60

Betting markets on popular Hong Kong Sports & Leagues

Hong Kong online bookies who want to make a difference here should also cover locally popular sports and domestic leagues, such as the ‘BOC Life’ Hong Kong Premier Football League. Also, locals truly love cricket, which seems natural after so many years of English influence; and running (i.e. Olympic games and indoor track and field meetings).

Payment methods used in the region

Since online sports betting is legal only with the local HKJC, players avoid funding their accounts with credit/debit cards. So, international operators offer various payment options like e-wallets, such as Skrill, Neteller and ecoPayz.

The methods that HKJC offers are, of course, very popular locally; these mainly include HKJC FPS, an instant payment method linked to BOCHC (Bank of China Hong Kong) or any other cooperating bank’s account; and HKJC EPS, a similar method-only with a higher minimum deposit (HK$300 instead of fps’s HK$100).

Hong Kong Sports Betting: The Law Framework

Someone would expect all forms of gambling to be totally illegal, as happens in Chinese bookmakers. However, this is not exactly the case in Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative zones of China (the other being Macao). Let’s see what the Hong Kong gambling law dictates.

The 2002 Gambling Ordinance specifies in Section 2 that betting taking place over any online medium-including the internet-are illegal. So, online betting in Hong Kong is off-limits. Moreover, operators of gambling sites face seven years in prison and fines of HK$5 million.

Players could face nine months imprisonment and a fine of HK$30,000. Also, the Ordinance places a ban on almost every form of gambling, including online betting. It only allows a few exceptions where it is legal; these only include gambling games where: the respective game is played on a social occasion in private premises.

It uses dice, dominoes, cards, mahjong or tin kau tiles, and the game is played in licensed premises; such as a restaurant or a private club. Lastly, a fee must not be paid to enter the game. However, there is the exception of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

A government-sponsored non-profit monopolistic provider that focuses its charitable projects on four key directions: Community services, education and training, medical and health, sports, recreation and culture. It originally promoted horse racing, now provides pari-mutuel horse wagering, international football sports betting, and runs the lottery.

So, if you want to place a bet, HKJC is the only totally legitimate option; and players must be over 18 to gamble. Strangely enough, the authorities do not impose an active blocking of international operators; surveillance is present, and the laws are strict. However, access to Hong Kong betting sites is not restricted.

Essential Information for Players

The prevailing question here remains; is online gambling legal in Hong Kong? Well, despite the general ban on online gambling, many international betting sites accept local players. The use of a VPN is of paramount importance, though, when betting in Hong Kong.

Covering your tracks could literally prove vital; laws do apply, and they are very strict indeed. Players risk getting arrested and even imprisoned up to 9 months if caught placing bets online with any operator other than the HKJC (either being a local or a tourist).

Also, there is no tax on online gambling winnings; the law, of course, only refers to the HKJC bet online service since all the rest is typically illegal. Of course, if one does actually play at international bookies, one subsequently gets to keep all possible winnings.

Players need to stick to e-wallets and avoid traditional banking methods at all costs. Even better, if you have the know-how, do turn to Bitcoin bookies; keeping your online activity as private as possible could not be more important here.

How to Deposit at Online Bookies

Players must avoid depositing funds to their account via credit/debit cards issued by local banks like BOCHK, Hang Seng or Standard Chartered banks). The most popular payments the local bookie offers include PPS instant fund deposits, cash vouchers, and the aforementioned HKJC FPS & EPS transfers.

A great alternative when betting with international betting sites in Hong Kong is e-wallets. Skrill, Neteller and ecoPayz all accept local players. PayPal accepts sign-ups. However, it does not allow gambling-related transactions in Hong Kong.

Last but not least, we have crypto gambling. As reports have it, cryptocurrency regulation is not exactly in place in Hong Kong; however, there is a rather relaxed stance towards this strongly emerging market.

Locals are also embracing this new technological innovation, as more and more bookies also do. Getting to familiarize yourself with it amidst the current law framework could only prove beneficial. The anonymity that comes through cryptos is really valuable in the online betting Hong Kong environment.

List of Bookmakers Accepting Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)

Funding your betting account in your local currency eliminates exchange fees. We hereby list all Hong Kong bookmakers offering HKD betting.

Gambling Laws in Neighbouring Countries

⏩ Taiwan: Gambling is predominantly considered illegal, with only a few exemptions. However, due to the lack of a specific regulatory framework, many players have turned to international Taiwan betting sites, allowing them to participate more freely. It is important to note that engaging in online gambling on these platforms may still carry certain legal risks, and individuals should exercise caution.

⏩ Macau: The country is globally renowned for its legal and thriving gambling industry, making it a primary attraction for tourists. The region's land-based casinos are legendary, offering a variety of games. In addition, individuals can also explore a wide range of sports betting sites in Macau and enjoy an array of alternatives. 

⏩ South Korea: Locals are restricted from entering specific casinos and gambling establishments within the country, and they are also prohibited from participating in gambling activities in foreign lands. Additionally, online gambling is illegal. However, the situation reflects relaxed restrictions, allowing for the existence of numerous South Korea betting sites.

The Future of the Hong Kong Sports Betting Scene

As it stands, the situation is not expected to change dramatically. The Hong Kong betting environment is already way ahead of China; people are free to engage in online gambling in Hong Kong, including sports betting, despite the prohibition of free choice.

However, some reports indicate that, in order to combat the still ongoing illegal gambling, it could lax its laws even more, in an attempt to try to reach neighboring Macao’s levels. That would turn Hong Kong into yet another paradise for gamblers. Yet, for the time being, it’s too early to speculate; we’ll have to wait and see how things will eventually unfold.