The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) yesterday hosted the signing of a landmark agreement with seven to combat unauthorised offshore betting and illegal operators.
While enforcement rests largely with each country's government, the 'Good Neighbour Policy' opens the door for the operators to persuade their respective administrations to introduce laws to cover such issues.
Asian Racing Federation chairman Lawrence Wong Chi-kong said: 'The agreement is really the issue about protecting the welfare of the community and to respect each jurisdiction's betting integrity. After all, it is a source of the government's taxation.'
The policy was signed last year by the Japan Racing Association and the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Six other members of the Asian Racing Federation joined the pact yesterday - Australia, Singapore, Turkey, New Zealand, India and South Korea. Under the agreement, they cannot allow residents of the participating countries to bet on their horse races without authorisation.
Together the eight nations account for about 60 per cent of the world's horse-racing betting.
The Macau Jockey Club, which makes most of its revenue from wagers by Hong Kong people, has not signed the agreement.
