XN000022-1995-11-15 — Page 48

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Number of horse races

Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan Wai-yip and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

In view of the upward trend in the number of horse races held annually in recent years, will the Government inform this Council of the criteria for approving the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club's application for increasing the number of races held in a year?

Reply

Mr President,

There is a maximum number of horse races that can be held by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) in every racing season (the period from 1 September to 15 June). In September this year, the maximum number was revised from 70 races per season, which had been in place since 1986, to 75. In setting the current maximum number, we took into account the following factors:

i) the additional races will benefit Hong Kong in terms of additional betting

duty receivable and an increase in the allocation to local charities;

ii) the number of free Wednesdays within the racing season which can be used

for holding additional races;

iii) whether an increase in race meetings would help combat opportunities for

illegal gambling on horse races held outside Hong Kong on those days, and

iv) a genuine demand for more racing from the racing public.

The Club plans to hold only 72 race meetings in the 1995-96 season.

End/Wednesday, November 15, 1995