Best sports betting sites in Hong Kong for May 2024

Online betting is a popular and exciting activity for many people in Hong Kong. Whether you are a fan of football, horse racing, basketball, or any other sport, you can find plenty of opportunities to place your bets online and win some money. However, online betting is not as simple as it may seem. There are many factors to consider before you start betting, such as the legality, safety, reliability, and quality of the online bookmakers. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on online betting in Hong Kong.

Popular sports and leagues for betting in Hong-Kong

Hong-Kong is a diverse and cosmopolitan city, with a rich sporting culture. Some of the most popular sports and leagues for betting in Hong-Kong are:

Soccer: Soccer is the most popular sport in Hong-Kong, both in terms of participation and viewership. The Hong Kong Premier League is the top domestic competition, featuring 10 teams that compete for the title and the qualification to the AFC Champions League. The league runs from September to May, and attracts many bettors who follow their local clubs. In addition, many Hong Kongers also bet on international soccer events, such as the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the English Premier League, the Spanish La Liga, and more.

Horse racing: Horse racing is a traditional and prestigious sport in Hong Kong, dating back to the 19th century. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is the sole operator of horse racing and betting in the city, and runs two racecourses: Sha Tin and Happy Valley. The racing season runs from September to July, with races held every Wednesday and weekend. Horse racing is one of the most popular forms of gambling in Hong Kong, with millions of dollars wagered on each race day. The Hong Kong Jockey Club also organizes some of the most prestigious international races, such as the Hong Kong International Races, the Hong Kong Derby, and the Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

Basketball: Basketball is another popular sport in Hong Kong, especially among the younger generation. The Hong Kong Basketball Association is the governing body of basketball in the city, and organizes various leagues and tournaments for different levels of players. The top domestic league is the Hong Kong A1 Division Championship, which features 12 teams that compete for the title and the qualification to the FIBA Asia Champions Cup. Many Hong Kongers also bet on international basketball events, such as the NBA, the FIBA World Cup, the EuroLeague, and more.

Other sports: Besides soccer, horse racing, and basketball, there are many other sports that attract bettors in Hong Kong. Some of these include tennis, golf, cricket, rugby, badminton, table tennis, snooker, darts, MMA, boxing, and more. These sports offer a variety of markets and options for bettors who want to diversify their portfolio and enjoy different types of events.

Popular types of welcome bonuses and other bonuses in Hong-Kong

One of the main advantages of online betting is that you can benefit from various bonuses and promotions offered by bookmakers. These bonuses can enhance your betting experience and increase your chances of winning. Some of the most popular types of bonuses in Hong-Kong are:

• Welcome bonus: A welcome bonus is a bonus that you receive when you sign up with a bookmaker for the first time. It usually matches your first deposit by a certain percentage (e.g., 100%, 50%, 25%, etc.), up to a certain amount (e.g., $1000, $500, $200, etc.). For example, if you deposit $100 with a bookmaker that offers a 100% welcome bonus up to $500, you will receive another $100 as bonus money. You can use this bonus money to place bets on any sports or markets that you like. However, you should be aware that welcome bonuses usually come with some terms and conditions, such as wagering requirements (e.g., you have to bet your bonus money a certain number of times before you can withdraw it), minimum odds (e.g., you have to bet on events with odds higher than a certain value), time limits (e.g., you have to use your bonus money within a certain period), etc. You should always read these terms carefully before claiming a welcome bonus.
• Free bets: A free bet is a bonus that allows you to place a bet without risking your own money. It usually has a fixed value (e.g., $10, $20, $50, etc.), and can be used on specific sports or markets (e.g., soccer, horse racing, basketball, etc.). For example, if you receive a $10 free bet on soccer from a bookmaker, you can use it to place a bet on any soccer event that you like. If you win your bet, you will receive the net profit (e.g., if you bet $10 on an event with odds of 2.00, you will receive $10 as net profit). However, you will not receive the stake back (e.g., you will not receive the $10 that you used to place the bet). If you lose your bet, you will not lose anything. Like welcome bonuses, free bets also come with some terms and conditions, such as wagering requirements, minimum odds, time limits, etc. You should always read these terms carefully before using a free bet.
• Cashback: A cashback is a bonus that refunds you a certain percentage of your losses (e.g., 10%, 20%, 50%, etc.), up to a certain amount (e.g., $100, $200, $500, etc.). For example, if you lose $100 with a bookmaker that offers a 20% cashback up to $200, you will receive $20 as bonus money. You can use this bonus money to place bets on any sports or markets that you like. However, you should be aware that cashback bonuses also come with some terms and conditions, such as wagering requirements, minimum odds, time limits, etc. You should always read these terms carefully before claiming a cashback bonus.
• Other bonuses: Besides welcome bonuses, free bets, and cashback bonuses, there are many other types of bonuses that bookmakers offer to their customers. Some of these include reload bonuses (bonuses that match your subsequent deposits by a certain percentage), loyalty bonuses (bonuses that reward you for your regular activity with a bookmaker), referral bonuses (bonuses that reward you for inviting your friends to join a bookmaker), enhanced odds (bonuses that boost the odds of certain events or markets), acca insurance (bonuses that refund you if one leg of your accumulator bet fails), etc. These bonuses can vary in terms of value, frequency, and availability, depending on the bookmaker and the season. You should always check the promotions page of your bookmaker to see what kind of bonuses they offer at any given time.

The most common odds

Odds are the numerical expression of the probability of an outcome occurring in a sporting event. They also indicate how much money you can win if you bet on that outcome. There are three main types of odds formats: decimal, fractional, and American.

Decimal odds: Decimal odds are the most common and simple type of odds format. They show how much money you will win for every unit of money that you bet. For example, if an event has odds of 2.00 in decimal format, it means that you will win $2 for every $1 that you bet. To calculate your total payout, you just have to multiply your stake by the odds. For example, if you bet $10 on an event with odds of 2.00 in decimal format, your total payout will be $10 x 2.00 = $20.

Fractional odds: Fractional odds are the traditional and popular type of odds format in the UK and Ireland. They show how much profit you will make for every unit of money that you bet. For example, if an event has odds of 2/1 in fractional format, it means that you will make $2 profit for every $1 that you bet. To calculate your total payout, you have to add your stake to your profit. For example, if you bet $10 on an event with odds of 2/1 in fractional format,

your total payout will be $10 + ($10 x 2) = $30.

- American odds: American odds are the common type of odds format in the US and Canada. They show how much money you have to bet to win a certain amount of money. They can be positive or negative. Positive American odds show how much money you will win for every $100 that you bet. For example, if an event has odds of +200 in American format, it means that you will win $200 for every $100 that you bet. To calculate your total payout, you have to add your stake to your winnings. For example, if you bet $100 on an event with odds of +200 in American format, your total payout will be $100 + ($100 x 2) = $300. Negative American odds show how much money you have to bet to win $100. For example, if an event has odds of -200 in American format, it means that you have to bet $200 to win $100. To calculate your total payout, you have to add your stake to your winnings. For example, if you bet $200 on an event with odds of -200 in American format, your total payout will be $200 + ($200 / 2) = $300.

You can convert between different types of odds formats using online calculators or formulas.

Deposit and withdrawal methods available in Hong-Kong

If you are a fan of sports betting and you live in Hong Kong, you might be wondering how to find the best bookmakers for your needs. There are many factors to consider when choosing a suitable online betting site, such as the deposit and withdrawal methods, the legal and tax issues, and the quality of the services and features offered. In this article, we will provide you with some useful information and tips on how to choose the most suitable bookmaker for betting in Hong Kong. We will also answer some frequently asked questions that bettors from Hong Kong can ask.

Deposit and withdrawal methods available in Hong Kong

One of the most important aspects of online betting is the availability and convenience of deposit and withdrawal methods. You want to be able to fund your account and withdraw your winnings easily and securely, without paying excessive fees or waiting too long for the transactions to be processed. Some of the most common deposit and withdrawal methods available in Hong Kong are:

• Credit and debit cards: These are widely accepted by most online bookmakers, and they offer fast and secure transactions. However, some banks may charge fees or block transactions related to gambling, so you should check with your bank before using this method.
• E-wallets: These are online payment services that allow you to store and transfer money electronically. Some of the most popular e-wallets for online betting are Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, ecoPayz, and MuchBetter. They offer low fees, instant transactions, and high security. However, some bookmakers may not accept e-wallets for bonuses or promotions, so you should read the terms and conditions carefully before using this method.
• Cryptocurrencies: These are digital currencies that operate independently of any central authority or intermediary. Some of the most popular cryptocurrencies for online betting are Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and Tether. They offer anonymity, low fees, fast transactions, and high security. However, some bookmakers may not accept cryptocurrencies at all, or they may have limited options or features for them, so you should check with the bookmaker before using this method.

Legal and tax issues related to betting in Hong Kong

Another important aspect of online betting is the legal and tax situation in your country of residence. You want to make sure that you are betting legally and responsibly, without breaking any laws or regulations that may apply to you. Some of the legal and tax issues related to betting in Hong Kong are:

Legal status: Online betting is technically illegal in Hong Kong, as it falls under the Gambling Ordinance, which prohibits any form of gambling except for authorized lotteries and horse racing. However, there is no specific law that targets online betting or punishes individuals who bet online. Therefore, many Hong Kong residents use offshore bookmakers that accept customers from Hong Kong and operate under foreign licenses. These bookmakers are not regulated by the Hong Kong authorities, but they may be regulated by other reputable jurisdictions such as Malta, Curacao, Gibraltar, or the UK.

Tax status: Online betting is not subject to any taxes in Hong Kong, as it is considered a recreational activity rather than a source of income. Therefore, you do not have to pay any taxes on your winnings or report them to the authorities. However, you should be aware that some offshore bookmakers may deduct taxes from your winnings according to their own policies or regulations, so you should check with the bookmaker before placing your bets.

How to choose the most suitable bookmaker

Now that you know some of the factors that affect online betting in Hong Kong, you might be wondering how to choose the most suitable bookmaker for your needs. There are many online bookmakers that accept customers from Hong Kong and offer various services and features for them. However, not all of them are equally reliable, trustworthy, or convenient. Therefore, you should consider some of the following criteria when choosing a suitable bookmaker:

1. Reputation: You should choose a bookmaker that has a good reputation among online bettors and experts. You can check online reviews, ratings, testimonials, or complaints about different bookmakers to get an idea of their quality and reliability. You can also check if they have any awards, certifications, or endorsements from reputable organizations or authorities.
2. License: You should choose a bookmaker that has a valid license from a reputable jurisdiction that regulates online gambling. This will ensure that they follow certain standards of fairness, security, transparency, and customer protection. You can check the license information on the bookmaker's website or on the regulator's website.
3. Odds: You should choose a bookmaker that offers competitive odds for various sports and events. This will ensure that you get the best value for your bets and maximize your potential winnings. You can compare different odds from different bookmakers using online tools or websites.
4. Markets: You should choose a bookmaker that offers a wide range of markets for various sports and events. This will ensure that you have more options and opportunities to place your bets and find your preferred outcomes. You can check the market coverage and variety on the bookmaker's website or on online platforms.
5. Features: You should choose a bookmaker that offers various features that enhance your online betting experience. Some of the most common and useful features are live betting, live streaming, cash out, bet builder, accumulator, and loyalty program. You can check the availability and quality of these features on the bookmaker's website or on online platforms.
6. Bonuses: You should choose a bookmaker that offers generous and attractive bonuses and promotions for new and existing customers. These can include welcome bonuses, free bets, reload bonuses, cashback, referral bonuses, and VIP rewards. You can check the terms and conditions of these bonuses and promotions on the bookmaker's website or on online platforms.

FAQ

Is online betting safe in Hong Kong?

Online betting is generally safe in Hong Kong, as long as you use a reputable and licensed bookmaker that accepts customers from Hong Kong and operates under foreign licenses. However, you should be aware of the risks and responsibilities involved in online betting, such as addiction, fraud, or legal issues.

How can I deposit and withdraw money from online bookmakers in Hong Kong?

You can deposit and withdraw money from online bookmakers in Hong Kong using various methods, such as credit and debit cards, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, or bank transfers. However, you should check the availability, convenience, security, speed, and fees of these methods before using them.

What are the best sports to bet on in Hong Kong?

The best sports to bet on in Hong Kong depend on your personal preferences and interests. However, some of the most popular and profitable sports to bet on in Hong Kong are football, basketball, tennis, horse racing, cricket, and esports.

What are the best bookmakers for betting in Hong Kong?

The best bookmakers for betting in Hong Kong depend on your personal needs and expectations. 

How can I get bonuses and promotions from online bookmakers in Hong Kong?

You can get bonuses and promotions from online bookmakers in Hong Kong by registering an account with them, making a deposit, placing a bet, or fulfilling certain requirements. However, you should read the terms and conditions of these bonuses and promotions carefully before claiming them.