A proposal by the Government to plug a loophole in the gambling law was criticised as unclear by legislators yesterday, with some calling for a halt to the amendment process until more public consultations could be carried out.
Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs Betty Fung Ching Suk-yee said amending the Gambling Ordinance could prevent offshore bookmakers from offering gambling opportunities in the SAR.
At present, the ordinance cannot effectively stop offshore gambling, and offshore bookmakers taking bets from Hong Kong cannot be prosecuted as they are not based here.
Government figures show there are more than 500 offshore bookmakers operating through the Internet who receive bets from people in Hong Kong.
Speaking at a Legco Bills Committee meeting yesterday, Mrs Fung said: 'If we have no law banning these activities, people will say what they are doing is not illegal and would not be banned.
'This will encourage the bookmakers to promote their business in Hong Kong.'
The proposed amendments included a ban on offshore bookmakers collecting bets in Hong Kong and related promotions, and restrictions on radio and television stations in announcing information on overseas gambling events.
