Children as young as eight may soon be able to enter licensed billiards halls, the government has announced, saying it hoped to promote the development of the sport in Hong Kong.
A billiards table. Photo: Joey Genovese via Unsplash.
“Licensed billiard establishments which meet relevant requirements for relaxing the entry restrictions for youth” will be eligible to apply, “so as to facilitate more young people to access billiard sports and promote its development in Hong Kong,” the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) said in a statement on Friday.
Under existing law, billiards halls are off limits to under 16s and anyone wearing a school uniform. Such restrictions stemmed from the need in the 1960s and 70s “to suitably protect mentally immature individuals under the age of 16,” according to the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, which first proposed the changes in 2023.
Entry hours for young patrons will also be adjusted, with the restricted period changed from between 8pm an 10am to between 11pm and 7am. Students in school uniforms will also be allowed to enter licensed establishments.
According to a 2023 government document, existing legislation “hinders young people from participating in billiard sports and stigmatises billiard sports as undesirable activities, thereby impeding its popularisation and development.”
Sports development
Friday’s statement read: “The LCSD will duly process applications received, and factors to be considered include the billiard establishments’ operational situation, the surrounding environment, facilities and activities within the premises.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan calls Benson Kwok, director of Hong Kong’s Immigration Department, in a video released October 31, 2024. Photo: Screenshot.
The move came about a year after the LCSD set up a working group last February in response to views it received on promoting the development of the sport.
Based on the working group’s discussions, the LCSD will relax restrictions for billiard establishments that meet relevant requirements in accordance with the existing provisions of the Places of Amusement Regulation, the statement read.
