Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee addressed the media before attending an executive meeting, discussing the suspension of the basketball betting tax. According to Odaily, Lee stated that the Youth Affairs Bureau needs to regularly review the policy to manage risks before continuing its implementation.
Lee emphasized that the suspension is not solely due to gambling concerns but is also related to virtual currencies. The Hong Kong government has observed a significant increase in illegal gambling 'prediction market' transactions, which are facilitated by cryptocurrency betting. Therefore, Lee believes it is inappropriate to proceed with the policy without careful consideration.