The Hong Kong SAR Government has granted the Hong Kong Jockey Club permission to increase its maximum number of simulcast days per year by 14 days, from 23 to 37, and for simulcast days to take place during the summer beginning this year. This new arrangement will address the demand of Hong Kong residents to bet on overseas races during the nation's summer break in racing, and should also help curtail illegal betting. The HKJC said the change will also promote the globalization of horse racing.
A statement from the Hong Kong Jockey Club on Wednesday read, “During the summer break of Hong Kong's racing, it is the peak season of overseas racing particularly in Europe, and the illegal and offshore bookmakers have taken advantage of this time gap to lure Hong Kong people to place bets on overseas races. As such, the approval of extra simulcast days in the summer will effectively address the existing illegal gambling issues while at the same time generate additional betting duty as well as charities donations, and create additional job opportunities which will benefit the Hong Kong community as a whole.”
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