Macau Jockey Club ban due next year

Gambling laws are to be amended next year to outlaw the Macau Jockey Club's operations in the SAR.

The current Gambling Ordinance was vague on the issue as the Macau club's activities did not involve cash transactions, said principal assistant secretary for home affairs Francis Lo Chi-wai.

'It could be difficult to impose Hong Kong laws in cases of this nature,' he said.

At present, punters open accounts with the Macau Jockey Club and have bets and dividends credited or debited from bank accounts.

The new bill will outlaw unauthorised gambling activities involving non-SAR elements.

But the new amendments would not strengthen controls on gambling on soccer or over the Internet.