The Hong Kong government has unexpectedly postponed the introduction of basketball betting, despite the bill having been enacted by the Legislative Council months prior. This development has surprised many residents and industry observers.

Many Hongkongers would have been surprised last week that the government was postponing the introduction of basketball betting. It was only months ago that the bill had been enacted by the Legislative Council. So clearly it was a matter that fell within our high degree of autonomy. And the Hong Kong Jockey Club was known to be hard at work preparing for implementation. But listeners to RTHK’s Backchat programme in early February may have come away with an inkling that all might not be well....