Hong Kong Officials Extend Gambling Days to Reap Extra Revenue
Governments around the world may protest that actions are all about citizens' rights and protections, but it sometimes seems that the only thing that spurs prompt response is a potential loss of funding. The government in Hong Kong has granted permission for horse race track operators to add five days to the live racing calendar, so as to replace revenues lost to the recession.
Like many state, local, and even the federal government in the US, debate rarely seems to involve the will of the people, the philosophy of whether gambling is a freedom or a scourge, or the obligation of government to extricate itself from the minutiae of individual existence. Rather, every discussion of gambling concerns how much money will be brought to government coffers, and what costs will the government bear.
Apparently, halfway around the world, things are the same. The Hong Kong Jockey Club, which along with a state lottery are the only legal venues for gambling in the city, may now run races on five extra days and add fifteen simulcast days to their schedule.
The government made the move after revenue from racing declined last year, off $110 million to drop to $8.6 billion. The racing season had totalled 78 days, but will now be 83.
Hong Kong does allow sports betting on soccer, but again the Jockey Club is the only institution allowed to offer the betting.
