Key Moments:
- The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and Racing.com have agreed to continue broadcasting Hong Kong races in Australia until the end of the current season under newly amended, confidential terms.
- Disputes arose after Racing.com promoted fixed odds betting through CrownBet, conflicting with HKJC’s parimutuel betting system.
- Racing Victoria’s chairman David Moodie mediated the talks, enabling the continuation of broadcasts for the remaining nine meetings of the season.
Broadcasting Agreement Reinstated
Following extended negotiations, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and Racing.com have reached a temporary understanding to maintain live coverage of Hong Kong horse racing on Australian television screens for the rest of the current season. This deal was renegotiated with undisclosed new conditions after tensions escalated over fixed odds betting advertisements.
Origins and Structure of the Partnership
This collaboration originally aimed to extend the reach of Hong Kong racing to Australian viewers while boosting betting volumes routed through TABCorp, a major state-backed wagering business in Australia. TABCorp’s Sky Channel plays a pivotal role as one of the top racing broadcasters in the market. Bets made by Australian customers are integrated into Hong Kong’s totalisator pools, which resulted in direct HKJC revenues totaling approximately HK$3.4 billion (€360 million) globally in the 2014–15 financial year across Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Conflict over Fixed Odds Betting Promotions
Tensions surfaced soon after Racing.com started to air Hong Kong races in late 2015. The HKJC was unsettled by the significant promotion of CrownBet, a fixed odds wagering operator, during these broadcasts. As the HKJC relies on a parimutuel betting model, it does not benefit from fixed odds betting revenue. HKJC Executive Director Richard Cheung noted that CrownBet advertisements not only created confusion but also raised concerns over the appearance that HKJC endorsed fixed odds betting. The Jockey Club opposes fixed odds betting on its races and found these promotions contrary to the spirit of their arrangement.
Escalation and Mediation Efforts
Discontent grew when Sky Channel momentarily restricted Hong Kong races on one of Racing.com’s platforms, prompted by disputes surrounding betting models and lost revenue to non-commingled betting operators. At the height of discord, there was real risk that the broadcasting arrangement would fall apart entirely. David Moodie, chairman of Racing Victoria, intervened to mediate, ultimately helping both parties to preserve the deal and ensure the broadcast of the final nine meetings of the season. According to Cheung, Racing.com has now acknowledged and respects HKJC’s insistence that its races remain unassociated with fixed odds betting promotions.
Outlook and Next Steps
Looking ahead, more discussions are anticipated as both organizations aim to clarify partnership terms and expectations. For now, the shared intention is to protect Hong Kong racing’s reputation and secure its access to Australian audiences.
| Partnership Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Broadcast Duration | Until the end of the current season |
| Revenue from Commingled Betting (2014–15) | Approx. HK$3.4 billion (€360 million) |
| Number of Broadcast Meetings Left | 9 |
- Author
Daniel Williams
