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‘Harder to quit than drugs’: illegal online gambling fuels Hongkongers’ growing addiction

‘Harder to quit than drugs’: illegal online gambling fuels Hongkongers’ growing addiction
South China Morning Post Friday 19 June 2026, 00:30 UTC By Edith Lin 1 min read
Key Points

In the first of a two-part series tracing the new trends of illegal betting in Hong Kong amid excitement over the World Cup 2026, Edith Lin looks at how social media has become a new channel pushing the youth to engage in unlawful bookmaking activities. Ken Chan* started betting on football matches when he was 18. He started betting through legalised channels, spending a third of his income for a few years.

In the first of a two-part series tracing the new trends of illegal betting in Hong Kong amid excitement over the World Cup 2026, Edith Lin looks at how social media has become a new channel pushing the youth to engage in unlawful bookmaking activities. Ken Chan* started betting on football matches when he was 18. He started betting through legalised channels, spending a third of his income for a few years. But he was soon enticed to bet on illegal platforms with their promises of tips and 100...
Hongkongers (ORG) Hong Kong (LOCATION) the World Cup 2026 (EVENT) Edith Lin (PERSON) Ken Chan* (PERSON)
Originally published by South China Morning Post Read original →

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