Hong Kong's Betting and Lotteries Commission (BLAC) invited public submissions on a Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) proposal to increase the number of simulcast overseas races and simulcast days, with comments due by 21 February 2025 by post, fax or email1. The commission published the proposal on 20 January 20251.
The HKJC wants the per-season cap on simulcast races raised from 25 to 40 from the 2025/26 season, and from 40 to 55 from 2026/271. It also wants the cap on simulcast days raised from 37 to 53 from 2025/26, and from 53 to 70 from 2026/271. Under the current license, the club may hold no more than 88 local race days per season, simulcast 25 non-local races on local race days, and simulcast non-local races on 37 non-local race days, with no more than 12 non-local races per simulcast day1. Racing betting is not allowed during the summer break, from 17 July to 31 August1.
The commission described itself as a statutory advisory body set up under the Betting Duty Ordinance (Cap. 108)1. It said submissions may be published for media and public viewing unless the sender asks otherwise1.
"馬會向政府建議把 (i) 每個馬季的同步聯播賽事的上限由 2025/26 馬季起，由目前的 25 場增加至 40 場"
The HKJC set out its case in an annex to the consultation paper. It said illegal racing gambling participation rose 28% in 2023 against 2021, with the number betting on non-local races up about 43%1. It said average baseline traffic to illegal gambling sites jumped 246%, and traffic tied to non-local races rose 329% on days when a top-100 Group 1 race was run but the club did not simulcast it1. The club said illegal gambling site traffic fell about 41% in summer since 14 summer simulcast days were added in 2021, and fell a further 12% after the January 2024 increase1.
The club put figures on the simulcast business. Simulcast races account for about 10% of total racing turnover1. Non-local betting was 2% of local race turnover in 2013/14 but reached 21% in 2023/24 as commingling grew1.
It said bettors aged 18 to 21 were less than 1% of simulcast bettors in 2023/24, with about 80% aged 40 or above1.
| Measure | Now | From 2025/26 | From 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simulcast races per season | 25 | 40 | 55 |
| Simulcast days per season | 37 | 53 | 70 |
What it means for players
The proposal concerns betting on overseas races through the HKJC, not local Hong Kong racing. If approved, more top-level overseas meetings would be available through the licensed operator, including races that currently cannot be shown because the quota is full1. The club said 63 of the 134 non-local top-100 Group 1 races in 2021 to 2023 could not be offered through legal channels because of the quota1. Nothing in the consultation changes the rules on local race days, the summer break or the ban on local racing betting between 17 July and 31 August1. The consultation paper does not set out new player protections or account rules.
What happens next
Submissions close on 21 February 20251. The consultation paper does not state when the commission will decide or when any change would take effect beyond the proposed 2025/26 start1. The commission's role is advisory, and the paper does not say what further approvals would be needed1.
For background on the market, see Betting on Horse Racing in Hong Kong and Commingled Pools and Simulcast Betting.
Sources1 sources
- 香港賽馬會增加賽馬博彩活動的建議, hyab.gov.hk
