Hong Kong Eyes Lowering Age Limits For Horse Racing

Authorities are eyeing to relax age limits on horse race attendees in Hong Kong in an attempt to boost tourism in the Special Administrative Region.

Hong Kong newspaper The Standard reported that the ministry for culture, sports, and tourism is “carefully considering” the option after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu spoke of developing horse racing tourism.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) is included in the discussion table, with the organization believing this could make the sport more inclusive.

“We will fully support and commence discussions with the relevant government departments to take horse racing tourism forward,” HJKC said in a statement.

Additionally, the government believes this can position horse racing as a family-friendly attraction for tourists in Hong Kong.

HKJC cited Japan and Australia’s regulations on horse racing which allow underage admission.

“We will fully support and commence discussions with the relevant government departments to take horse racing tourism forward,” the Hong Kong Jockey Club said.

The HKJC announced that it made a total of HK$134.7 billion (about $17.3 billion) in the 2023/24 season, a decrease of 4.5% compared to HK$141.1 billion (around $18.1 billion) from the previous year.

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