One of the world's leading bookmakers is offering Internet punters the chance to bet on Mark Six, in an apparent breach of Hong Kong's gambling laws.
The news that Britain's William Hill is tempting SAR gamblers comes after a warning from Hong Kong Jockey Club chief Lawrence Wong Chi-kwong that Hong Kong's revenues will be seriously hit by the rise in Internet gambling. A recent survey by NetValue on online betting confirmed Mr Wong's fears.
The figures, released late last week, showed that 41 per cent of Internet users visited gambling sites in December 2000, compared with 22 per cent in October, and 46 per cent of December's visitors were between the ages of 15 and 24.
Graham Sharpe, spokesman for William Hill, denied his company was flouting Hong Kong law. 'Local laws are up to the people who live under local jurisdiction,' he said.
Under the ordinance, currently being reviewed, only the Hong Kong Jockey Club is licensed to take bets on Mark Six.
A Home Affairs Bureau spokesman said: 'Under the existing gambling ordinance, offshore bookmakers are not covered because the law does not have extra-territorial elements. That is why we are proposing to change the law.'
