Hong Kong officials introduce tougher penalties to curb touting activities, including lengthier suspension period

Hong Kong authorities will toughen anti-touting rules and penalties from next month in a further attempt to stamp out abuse in the booking of sports grounds and public recreation facilities.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department on Monday announced several new measures set to be implemented from November 1, after previously introducing anti-touting rules earlier in May.

The department said anyone who booked a facility and failed to show up twice within 60 consecutive days would be banned from making new bookings for 90 days. Currently, those who fail to be present during a 30-day period are prohibited for 90 days.

The suspension of booking rights for fee-charging facilities has been extended from 180 days to 360 days for anyone found to have transferred a user permit for a facility without authorisation.

Users of internet booking service Leisure Link will also be required to provide the numbers of four other patrons when submitting balloting applications for natural and artificial turf football pitches.

The hirer and three of the other users will have to sign in and show up for the booked session. They must also provide their original identity documents and other necessary information for verification and registration purposes at the check-in counter before using the football pitch.

A spokesman for the department said it would closely monitor the effectiveness of the new measures and introduce more anti-touting rules when necessary.

In a meeting of the panel on information technology and broadcasting at the Legislative Council, Victor Lam Wai-kiu, the government’s chief information officer, on Monday said authorities might also introduce a new allocation system to combat touting activities.