Even though Macau routinely steals the show, there are plenty of ways to gamble in Hong Kong. Ever since it transferred rule from Britain to China in 1997, it’s had a complicated political atmosphere. While the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China is an autonomous territory, they abide by China’s rules. This means gambling is frowned upon, which creates a massive conundrum in a land where gambling is treasured. Faced with draconian enforcement, Hong Kong hasn’t been allowed to open any casinos.
Fortunately, just because Hong Kong doesn’t have any official land based casinos doesn’t mean punters are out of options. There are plenty of loopholes that allow punters to indulge in a slew of potentially lucrative pastimes. From online casinos to horse racing, there are plenty of ways to test your luck in Hong Kong.
Even though they don’t receive the international attention of Macau’s casinos, they are well worth visiting. To showcase these hidden gambling options, we compiled a list of the best ways to gamble in Hong Kong. There are more choices than most visitors think, so don’t miss out on the action during your next trip!
Best Ways to Gamble in Hong Kong
Horse racing has been revered for centuries in Hong Kong.
Method #3: Horse Racing – Technically, the Hong Kong Jockey Club has been granted a monopoly on all forms of legal gambling in the city. Their betting options encompass most forms of horse racing, a local lottery and sports betting. While there are certainly other places to gamble, none are more charitable than the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Every year they funnel HK$26 Billion back into the community, which makes them one of the top ten charities in the world. Their impressive humanitarian efforts make them an especially appealing place to bet at.
Another place to place bets on horse racing is the Sha Tin Racecourse. Opened in 1978, this massive stadium can host up to 85,000 visitors. Over 470 races are held there annually, which means its impossible to miss out on the action.
The last place to bet on horse races has the richest heritage. The Happy Valley racecourse was originally opened by the British in 1845. It’s the oldest gambling establishment that’s still operational in Hong Kong. Every Wednesday they host horse races that draw up to 55,000 visitors. They also have hockey, rugby and football games on their inner field, so don’t miss out on this historic venue!
Take a cruise to gamble in Hong Kong!
Method #2: Casino Cruise Ships – Faced with strict laws on land, many casinos have headed to the open sea. Gambling on Hong Kong territorial waters is still forbidden, but the ships just keep going until its eventually legal. Thanks to dozens of enterprises, visitors have plenty of options that depart daily from Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Horn terminals. Even though these operations are accused of being connected with organized crime, they still manage to operate and create fun gaming experiences.
Online gambling is a huge attraction in Hong Kong.
Method #1: Online Casinos – Out of all the options to gamble in Hong Kong, betting online is the safest. Even though online gambling is illegal in Hong Kong, they don’t prosecute punters. Emboldened by this lax approach, many offshore sites accept bets from Hong Kong residents. This allows users to place bets from the comfort of their hotel rooms. Check out Casino Adrenaline, Roy Richie, Expekt & William Hill for Hong Kong friendly services!
