Betting is down $6.7b, raising concerns for charitable causes
The Sars crisis has contributed to the biggest crash in betting turnover in Hong Kong Jockey Club history, sparking warnings that its contributions to charity and government coffers will be affected.
Jockey Club chief executive Lawrence Wong yesterday revealed the full impact of Sars just as Hong Kong prepared to be taken off the list of affected countries by the World Health Organisation at 3pm today, a move that will mark victory over the crisis and boost a growing sense of recovery.
'The economic situation, the Sars crisis and illegal gambling combined to make this a difficult year,' Mr Wong said.
'As far as Sars is concerned, this was a factor which impacted directly on our attendance and our turnover. It could not have been anticipated and our business has suffered from Sars just as other entertainment businesses suffered.'
Yesterday's final meeting at Sha Tin returned the highest turnover figure for the season of $1.3 billion and the second highest Triple Trio payout ever.