The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) managed to survive one of the more eventful seasons of its long career while still kicking back billions to its host community.
Figures released Tuesday show the HKJC generated total betting turnover of HK$218.7b (US$28.2b) in the 12 months ending June 30, an 11.6% decline from fiscal 2018-19. All three HJKC verticals were in negative territory, each for its own distinct reasons.
Racing operations reported turnover falling 3.2% year-on-year to HK$121b, reflecting not only the disruption caused by COVID-19 – off-track betting facilities shut in February and didn’t reopen until June – but also the pro-democracy protests that resulted in the cancellation of several meetings early in the season.
Of the racing turnover, HK$97.7b was wagered locally, with the remaining HK$23.3b coming from commingling. That latter sum was up by more than one-quarter year-on-year, accounting for nearly one-fifth of total racing turnover.