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20Bet Casino United States

Very Good Online Casino 8.3/10
  • A large worldwide casino
  • A large selection of games from various suppliers
  • The operator accepts high players' withdrawal limit
  • Livechat is not available for all website languages
Billie Noble
Author Guarantor: Billie Noble Last updated: 17 December 2020

Most people know that Macau is one of the global gambling capitals, but Hong Kong is an entirely different story. The two cities are only an hour away by ferry, but Hong Kong has a unique gambling scene.

Hong Kong is part of China but is also a Special Administrative Colony and has a distinct and unique structure. Therefore, in 1977, the Gambling Ordinance was enacted to Smanage all gambling activities in Hong Kong. 

If you are excited about finding top-rated casino sites in the industry to play at, dive into the top online casinos conducted by our professional experts.

Hong Kong Gambling Restrictions

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has been around since 1884 and is designated a government with an exclusive monopoly over all legal betting activities. HKJC is a non-profit organization, so 79% of all gambling proceeds are returned to the economy through taxes and charitable donations. At the same time, HKJC is also an essential single taxpayer in Hong Kong.

HKJC retains a government-granted monopoly on all gambling activities related to horse races, soccer matches, and lotteries. Bets made via HKJC-approved channels are legal.

Two legal documents govern most of Hong Kong's gambling laws, the 108 Limited Betting Obligation Ordinance, which was first adopted in 2003 and last revised in 2006, and the Gambling Ordinance Limit 148 was first adopted in 1977 and later changed in 2006. Mahjong is regulated by law, and poker is a gray area as it is considered illegal. 

From 1950-1976, Europeans in the colonies licensed about 140 mahjong clubs. In 1977 this law was abolished. Although no new clubs have been permitted since then, clubs licensed before 1977 are still legally allowed to operate. Seventy clubs left in Hong Kong can receive a 7.5% commission from the player's winnings and are entirely legal under the Gambling Ordinance.

All other forms of gambling are illegal and subject to severe penalties:

  • First conviction: $10,000 fine and up to 3 months in prison;
  • Second sentence: $20,000 fine and up to 6 months in prison;
  • Third conviction: $30,000 fine and up to 9 months in prison.

As the Gambling Ordinance was amended in 2002, these laws apply entirely to internet and telephone betting with foreign sources. In virtually all HKJC approved betting channels, reminders are posted all over the place, informing players that they could be in jail for up to 9 months if foreign bookmakers are used.

Since it is a global economic power, it has extradition treaties with many countries worldwide and has severe penalties for gambling organizers found to violate the law. Almost every foreign betting site blocks Hong Kong gamblers from making any deposit. However, there are still some illegal offshore gambling sites that residents can bet on but very few.

Gambling Events in Hong Kong

Although social media gambling was legal even before the 1977 Gambling Ordinance, and it continues to do so, that law essentially created a government-run monopoly.

While the rules and regulations are clear, there are still significant problems with illegal gambling activities. A report from HKJC said that in the 2014 World Cup, the Hong Kong Police Force appropriated HK $ 750 million in cash and illegally traded bets.

It is estimated that $ 12 billion is lost through illegal gambling activities, and it's surprising that the penalties are quite severe but still loosened.

Poker is prevalent in Hong Kong. Until 2010, poker clubs had the same legal exemptions as Mahjong. A series of police raids have ended this. The GreenHouse was raided and closed in March 2010, a high-stakes game involving the director of Merrill Lynch was raided in July 2010, and the famous PokerStars had co-sponsored Hong Kong Poker House in August 2010.

This part of China generates the most considerable horse racing gambling revenue in the world. In 2009, Hong Kong generated an average gambling revenue of US $ 12.7 million per race, 6 times larger than its closest competitor France with the US $2 million, while the United States generated only 250,000 dollars.

During the 2014-15 race season, HKJC attracted HK $138.8 million per race, more than any other track in the world. HKJC broke its record for the 2016-2017 season with revenue of HK $ 216.5 billion and paid the government HK $21.7 billion in profits and taxes, an all-time high.

Payment Methods in Hong Kong Online Casino Sites

The most significant advantage of Hong Kong online casino sites is the number of games, promotions, and mobile compatibility. However, to have a full gambling experience, gamblers must easily fund their account at their chosen online casino Hong Kong and start playing with real money. Therefore, bettors have to pick carefully about the payment processors at Hong Kong casinos.

Most casino sites offer the most reliable payment methods that incorporate essential features like fast money transactions, security seals, and more. Players can choose between credit cards, debit cards, and convenient online gambling Hong Kong payment systems like Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, ecoPayz, MuchBetter, etc.