The Hong Kong Jockey Club has a long-standing commitment to provide world-class horse racing, betting and sporting entertainment. The Club also has a long-standing commitment to provide betting in a socially responsible way.

The Club's gambling activities serve to bring social and economic benefits to Hong Kong. Most people gamble in a controlled way as a form of leisure or entertainment. However, a small but important proportion gamble to excess - both through legal and illegal channels - and can be considered problem gamblers, causing damage both to themselves and to society.

Problem gambling varies in severity, but frequently leads to family relationship problems; financial difficulties; job problems and a range of emotional disorders.

• Do you think about gambling everyday?
  
• Do you ever hide your gambling from people close to you?
  
• Do you ever feel guilty after gambling?
  
• Do you ever borrow money to gamble?
  
• Do you let bills go unpaid to get money for gambling?
  
• Do you chase your losses?
  
• Do you frequently gamble until the last dollar has gone?
  
• Do you frequently try to stop or cut down but find you can't?
  
• Do you find gambling affects your work or family life?
  
• Do you argue with others about the amount you gamble?
  
• Do you often gamble for longer than planned?
  
• Do you often gamble more than you can afford?

Guidelines for responsible gambling

Responsible gamblers keep gambling as entertainment by following these guidelines:

• Set and stick to a budget
  
• Only gamble what you can afford to lose
  
• Don't borrow to gamble
  
• Balance gambling with other leisure activities
  
• Don't chase losses

Where you can find help

If you think you have a problem with gambling, or know someone close to you who might have a problem, contact:

Hotline : 1834 633

Operation Hours of Gambling Counselling Centres and Hotline

The four gambling counselling centres commissioned by the Government operate the gambling counselling hotline (1834 633) so that more problem gamblers and other people affected by gambling can seek assistance. The gambling counselling hotline is managed by professional counsellors during opening hours of the four centres.

Operational details of the four counselling centres are as follows:

Caritas A.G. Counselling Centre   Address: 18/F, Emperor Plaza, 55 Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan   Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 10am to 6pm Wednesday, Friday & Saturday: 10am to 10pm Closed on Sunday and Public Holidays  TWGHs Even Centre   Address: 11/ F, Tung Sun Commercial Centre , 194-200 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai   Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 10am to 7pm Wednesday, Friday & Saturday: 10am to 10pm Closed on Sunday and Public Holidays    Zion Social Service – Yuk Lai Hin   Address: Room 703, 7/F Lemmi Centre, No. 50 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong   Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 2pm to 10pm Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday: 10am to 6pm Closed on Sunday and Public Holidays      HKLSS - Sunshine Lutheran Centre   Address: 2/F, Fu Shin Shopping Centre, Fu Shin Estate, Tai Po (Temporary Address)   Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 10am to 6pm Wednesday, Friday & Saturday: 2pm to 10pm Closed on Sunday and Public Holidays

These counselling services are provided by trained professionals and all information will be treated confidentially.

You can get immediate help over the telephone by calling 1834 633 or arrange to talk to a professional counsellor.

Responsible Gambling Policy

The Club's Responsible Gambling Policy sets out its commitment to minimising the negative effects of problem gambling and to promoting responsible gambling practices among those who gamble. The Club does this through the unique Hong Kong model of gambling: not-for-profit with surplus to charity; high integrity; strict regulation; limited outlets; access controls (to prevent under-age betting); no credit betting. In this way the Club aims to achieve a balance between meeting the demand for gambling, maximising the social and economic benefits of gambling for the community, while helping to minimise potential harm to the individual and the community.

The Club is providing financial support to the Hong Kong Government, HK$15 million each year, for the provision of public awareness programmes, problem gambling counselling and treatment services. However, prevention is better than treatment and the Club encourages its customers to bet responsibly.

Click here to read The Hong Kong Jockey Club Responsible Gambling Policy