21 March 2001

Opinion Poll

The Legislative Council has formed a Bills Committee to examine the Gambling (Amendment) Bill 2000. According to the government, the purpose of the Bill is to combat the activities of unauthorised offshore bookmakers in Hong Kong and their receipt of bets placed from Hong Kong in order to protect the integrity of our gambling policy. 

Activities of the offshore bookmakers in Hong Kong include setting up telephone service hotlines, advertising business in local media and establishing service centres. Through these services, Hong Kong people can open betting accounts, make betting deposits, obtain betting information and place bets with the offshore bookmakers via telephone or the Internet. 

Detailed information on the Bill is available on the Legco web site, http://www.legco.gov.hk. Comments from fellow Engineers on the Bill are most welcome. You can forward your opinions to me, preferably by fax to 2147 9027 or e-mail to rctho@capitalchina.com.