Horse Racing in China - Will It Happen?

For the first time in almost fifty years, it looks as though gambling on horse racing may soon be allowed in China. According to the Xinhua news agency, the government in Beijing has approved horse racing in the city of Wuhan, and they are mulling over allowing betting on a trial basis next year.

A LONG TIME COMING

China has not allowed gambling on horse racing since the Communists won the Chinese civil war in 1949. In the early 1900s, the city of Wuhan was a center for horse racing in the country.

Jockey clubs were allowed in the early 1990s, but all forms of gambling (except for the state lottery) have remained illegal in China.

MAJOR ECONOMIC BENEFIT

Experts have estimated that China loses billions of dollars in potential revenue each year due to illegal gambling such as underground casinos, private lotteries and Internet betting.

Once operational, it is estimated that a national horse racing industry could create three million jobs and yield 40 billion yuan per year in tax revenue.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

According to a survey of Wuhan residents, 83 percent think that the introduction of betting would have a positive social impact, and 51 percent expressed an interest in wagering on the races.

Initially, around 250 horses from jockey clubs around China will compete. Betting will not be launched until the races draw around 2000 horses.

According to a spokesman for the China Sports Lottery, “The proposal for betting on horse racing is being reviewed and discussed, but there is no concrete information on when or whether it will begin.”

With any luck, we’ll be able to jump on Bodog in a few years and wager on Chinese ponies.

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Horse Racing in China - Will It Happen?