The Hong Kong Jockey Club urges Betfair to stop offering wagering on the region's racing

The Hong Kong Jockey Club expressed its “grave concerns and opposition” to Betfair’s “unilateral” announcement that it would be offering betting exchange wagering on Hong Kong racing.

“The Hong Kong Jockey Club is committed to upholding uncompromising integrity as a world-class racing club. Without prior consultation with the Club and in the absence of the Club’s permission and license, Betfair Pty Limited unilaterally announced on 21 August 2019 that it would be offering betting exchange wagering on Hong Kong racing,” the racecourse owner said in a statement. “In line with its announcement, Betfair commenced offering wagering on Hong Kong, with the Sha Tin race meeting on 1 September 2019.”

The Jockey Club said it “takes this matter seriously as it represents a serious integrity issue and an equally serious infringement of its intellectual property rights. In addition, creating the opportunity for people to back horses to lose is against what we all believe in.”

Betfair is thrilled to announce we will be offering markets on all Hong Kong Racing, starting on September the 1st.

Learn more: https://t.co/2I8hCtQ0De #GWTG #HKRacing pic.twitter.com/R9XXX3KWUu

— Betfair Australia (@Betfair_Aus) August 21, 2019

The firm has expressed, in writing, its grave concerns and opposition to Betfair’s actions to the Australian government and relevant racing authorities, including Northern Territory Racing Commission which licenses Betfair, the Australian Communications and Media Authority which administers the Interactive Gambling Act, and Racing Australia which is the national racing authority and makes the Australian Rules of Racing.

It has also sent formal letters to Betfair and its parent company, Crown Resorts, demanding them to immediately cease and desist from offering wagering via its betting exchange platform, including in-play betting, on Hong Kong racing, and any related promotion or advertising for the purpose.

“Betfair made their announcement via Twitter and Youtube without prior notice to the Club, and we were first made aware of it by the media. The Club is making public the enclosed letter to Betfair to let the media and the public understand the Club’s zero-tolerance towards issues relating to integrity and intellectual property rights,” the company concluded.