Authorities to open online booking 15 minutes earlier than counters for Hong Kong sports venues to combat touting
- Department says those using internet booking service can reserve facilities seven days in advance after logging into system at 7am starting on Monday
- Opening of counters and self-service kiosks for advance reservations will be delayed by 15 minutes to 7.15am
Online booking services for Hong Kong’s public recreation and sports venues will open 15 minutes earlier than counters and kiosks from Monday to combat touts, the government has said.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced three measures on Wednesday as part of the second round of anti-touting measures launched by the authority in a month.
In an effort to curb “queuing gangs” – people hired to line up outside venues late at night – the department said customers who used its internet booking service called Leisure Link would be able to book facilities seven days in advance after logging into the system at 7am.
The opening of booking counters and self-service kiosks for advance bookings will be delayed by 15 minutes to 7.15am.
To prevent touts from booking venues by using the identity card of another person, the department said its Leisure Link system would be accessible through the government’s mobile app “iAM Smart” which only allows residents to register one account linked to a phone number.
It added that those accessing the booking system through the government app would be able to reserve venues faster.
