Jai alai is a popular sport within the Latin American countries and the Philippines from its Hispanic influence. It was one of the two gambling sports from Europe, the other being horse racing, in the semi-colonial Chinese cities of Shanghai and Tianjin, and was shut down after the communist victory there.

Under the Gambling Ordinance, all gambling activities are illegal except: those expressly authorised by the government under the Betting Duty Ordinance (ie, authorised horse racing, authorised football betting and the Mark Six Lottery);