Young Hongkongers are increasingly accessing illegal online gambling via social media and chat groups, contributing to rising addiction problems.
Ken Chan began betting on football matches through legal channels at the age of 18. After a few years, while earning around HK$15,000 a month, he was drawn to online groups promising a 100 per cent success rate.
In 2019 he joined Telegram groups that directed him to illegal platforms. These allowed bets on online casinos, basketball and esports, far beyond the horse racing, football and Mark Six options offered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Chan said the constant gambling discussions in the groups made it difficult to stop. The report forms the first part of a series examining new trends in illegal betting ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
