The Jockey Club has warned that Hong Kong will face 'anarchy' if the new anti-gambling bill targeting offshore operators does not become law soon.
The club believes gambling interests are poised to open SAR outlets because the current ordinance has effectively collapsed.
Jockey Club officials believe operators will move the moment it becomes clear the new bill has failed to get the green light from Legco.
The proposed bill, unveiled by the Government last year, will make it illegal for offshore operators to take or receive bets from Hong Kong punters - by giving it so-called extra-territorial provisions.
But the ordinance has been stalled at the Bills Committee stage for nearly five months now, with no clear signs of the swift progress the club wanted. Lawmakers say the proposed curb on overseas bookmaking is related to the issue of football betting and have threatened to stall the bill if the Government does not make clear if the ban on soccer betting will be lifted.
Committee chairman Andrew Cheng Kar-foo has repeatedly raised question marks over the future of the amendments, which he believes are deeply flawed.