Explaining the decision at a press conference, Patrick Ho, secretary for home affairs, said: "The government's policy on gambling is to restrict gambling opportunities to a limited numberof authorized and regulated outlets only. The underlying rationaleis not to encourage gambling."

"Our proposal to authorize and regulate soccer betting is in line with this policy," he added.

Ho said: "The government plans to issue one licence on soccer betting in Hong Kong, for a period of five years. This seeks to prevent competition amongst operators which could stimulate demandfor gambling."

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has been designated to be the operator of soccer betting. The major reason is that the HKJC could make use of its existing resources and betting facilities, this obviates the need for additional gambling facilities, hence minimizing the nuisance which might be caused to the public.

The SAR government has also proposed to set up an independent special commission which is responsible for the regulation of authorized soccer betting and Mark Six lottery. This commission will comprise predominantly of non-officials.

The licensee would be required to contribute to a dedicated fund set up for the purpose of conducting public education, providing treatment and counseling services for pathological gamblers, and conducting research on problem gambling.

The licensee would be required to adopt suitable preventive measures against problem and pathological gambling, such as displaying notices at the gambling establishments informing punters of the risks of gambling.

Persons aged below 18 would be strictly prohibited from placingbets, entering any betting premises and opening betting accounts.

Credit betting would be prohibited, so as to prevent excessive gambling in Hong Kong.

"Our package of proposals seek to strike a balance between the need to combat illegal soccer gambling effectively, and the need to address public concerns about the negative social impact of gambling," Ho said.

The SAR government would draw up the details of the operationaland regulatory framework for authorized soccer betting in the coming months, with a view to introducing the necessary legislative amendments into the Legislative Council in 2003.

(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2002)