Gambling Ordinance

Hong Kong's Gambling Ordinance is currently relevant due to two distinct developments. Firstly, police are warning World Cup fans against using overseas betting websites, emphasizing that such actions may violate local gambling laws despite the platforms' foreign registration. This warning comes in anticipation of a surge in betting activity during the FIFA World Cup. Secondly, lawmakers are proposing to regulate claw and pinball machines, potentially by capping fees and prize values. These proposed caps could be implemented under the existing Gambling Ordinance as a measure to curb addiction and address concerns about "deceptive" designs that make winning difficult. The dual focus highlights ongoing efforts to enforce existing gambling regulations and expand oversight to new forms of automated gaming.