Overview

Any person who wishes to operate an entertainment centre or organise such functions as funfairs and bazaars involving the playing of games with prizes is required to obtain an Amusements with Prizes Licence. For safety reasons and to prevent children from being attracted to undesirable materials, games that are hazardous to players' health, or that have gambling connotations or indecent content will not be approved.

Lottery Licences are issued to charitable or non-profit-making organisations to allow them to conduct lotteries to raise organisational funds or support charitable activities.

If the licensee wishes to sell lottery tickets on public streets, he or she must seek separate approval to avoid clashes with other fund-raising activities or obstructing pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Mahjong/Tin Kau parlours are gambling establishments in which patrons play mahjong and tin kau tiles.

A Mahjong/Tin Kau Licence authorises a specific person to operate a mahjong/tin kau parlour at a particular location and at specified hours. The hiring of employees also requires prior approval.

Operators of different trades may organise competitions to promote their business. If the competition involves an element of chance (e.g. lucky draws and scratch cards), a Trade Promotion Competition Licence is required.

Tombola Licences are issued to social and recreational clubs that provide tombola games as one of the recreational facilities available to their members. The tombola activities should not be organised for the personal gain of the organisers, and there are strict licensing conditions governing the playing of tombola games.

The primary objective of the licensing control of public dance halls is to ensure that no acts of lewdness occur in public dance halls or ballrooms. Licensees must therefore comply with the strict licence regulations and conditions controlling the minimum age of employees and other persons present on the premises and the lighting and seating arrangements. The hiring of employees also requires prior approval.