Police have warned that illegal gambling activities are expected to rise during the upcoming World Cup and urged the public to avoid unlawful betting.

Speaking at a press briefing, senior inspector Jimmy Ng said the force had made a large number of arrests during major football tournaments in the past, with 1,104 arrests seen during the 2022 World Cup and 735 arrests made during Euro 2024.

He said this showed illegal gambling activities tend to go up during major sporting events.

Ng also noted that officers cracked 374 serious gambling cases in 2025, with 4,482 arrests made, and more than HK$3 million in cash and crime proceeds seized.

Betting records seized during the year amounted to HK$1.1 billion.

Chief inspector Alvin Wong said illegal gambling has become increasingly digitalised, with some betting platforms using non-local servers and accepting transfers through online banking or virtual currency to reduce the chance of detection.

Wong warned that illegal betting can lead to debt, addiction, money laundering and exploitation by criminal groups.

He added that police would step up publicity, education and enforcement to target illegal gambling during the football tournament.

Police clinical psychologist Woo Chin-pang said more young people are exposed to illegal gambling through advertisements on social media platforms, where betting offers, bonuses and easy access can normalise such activities and make them look more attractive.

"Illegal gambling creates the opportunities for the youth to come in contact with loan sharks, triads, and other criminal syndicates that can severely impact their lifelong prospects," he said.

"So I would like to take this opportunity to emphasise again that, especially for youth, please stay away from gambling, especially the illegal gambling during the World Cup Fifa period."


Edited by Aaron Tam