Many entertainment business operators claim they are forced to endure a poor business environment partly due to the abuse of police power and the lack of government support.
The sector, which includes nightclubs, mahjong parlours, game centres and pubs, also says Macau and Shenzhen pose a business threat to the industry as both cities attract many local customers to spend money outside Hong Kong, especially during long holiday times.
The finding come from a three-month survey carried out by the Entertainment Business Rights Concern Group, which interviewed 981 entertainment business operators.
It found that 55 per cent of them graded the business environment in Hong Kong as poor. Seventy-four per cent complained that the government never assisted the industry.
The group represents more than 300 entertainment establishments across the city but the survey included non-members.
The findings showed that the business brought by local customers dropped 41 per cent during long holidays, while mainland customers only provided 3.5 per cent extra business to the industry, according to concern group convenor Kwan Lim-ho, who is also a lawyer.
The operators also made known the view of their customers, who pointed out that the entertainment venues in Macau and Shenzhen were more attractive than those in Hong Kong. Customers also complained that the services in Hong Kong were too expensive for what they offered.
