Hong Kong to Increase Simulcast Quotas
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Photo: Mathea Kelley
Sierra Leone wins the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar—one of a small number of American grade 1 races simulcast to Hong Kong last year
The Hong Kong Jockey Club welcomes the approval granted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to progressively increase simulcast quotas over two racing seasons starting from 2025/26. The maximum number of simulcast races will be increased from the existing 25 to 40 from 2025/26 and to 55 from 2026/27. The maximum number of simulcast days will also increase, from 37 to 53 in 2025/26 and to 70 in 2026/27.
The HKJC believes that this arrangement will help tackle illegal betting by channeling betting demand through legal channels.
The move also benefits host sites simulcasting racing to Hong Kong, which bets a high volume. Hong Kong currently simulcasts some of the world's best races, but due to its limitations, the KHJC is selective about on which international cards and races it offers betting. According to its website, it simulcast racing from the United States in 2024 on Pacific Classic day, California Crown day, and two races on Breeders' Cup Saturday—the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1)
As a longstanding partner of the HKSARG, the HKJC has long supported its efforts to combat illegal betting. This includes providing legal and regulated gambling channels to prevent the public from betting illegally. With this increase in simulcast quotas, the Club's fixtures will cover most of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races.