Public invited to comment on Hong Kong Jockey Club's proposal for increased simulcast races

Hongkongers are invited to share their opinions on the Hong Kong Jockey Club's proposal to raise the maximum number of overseas simulcast races per year from the current 25 to 55 for the 2026/27 racing season, according to the Betting and Lotteries Commission.

This initiative follows a prior proposal to increase the maximum number of simulcast races -- from 25 to 40 for the upcoming season, and subsequently to 55 in 2026/27.

Also, the Jockey Club aims to extend the maximum number of simulcast days per season from 37 to 53 starting in the 2025/26 racing season, and from 53 to 70 days in the 2026/27 season.

Currently, the Jockey Club is permitted to conduct betting on no more than 88 local race days, alongside 25 non-local races on local race days and 37 simulcast occasions on non-local race days each year, spanning from September 1 to August 31 of the following calendar year.

Notably, no betting on local races is allowed during the summer break from July 17 to August 31, and the number of non-local races per simulcast day cannot exceed 12.

To implement this proposal, the club must obtain approval from Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen.

The public can submit their feedback to the Betting and Lotteries Commission via post, fax, or email until February 21.

In November 2023, the government approved a similar proposal from the Jockey Club, raising the number of simulcast races from 10 to 25, which took effect in December 2023.

This earlier proposal also allowed an increase in the maximum number of races per simulcast day from nine to 12.

(Marcus Lum)