Hong Kong is exploring the possibility of easing age restrictions on horse racing events to boost tourism, according to Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung.
In a radio interview cited by the South China Morning Post, Yeung stated that the government has been in discussions with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, encouraging the club to leverage its unique position to promote horse racing as a key tourist attraction.
He highlighted that few regions worldwide have reached the same scale as Hong Kong in horse racing, which regularly hosts international events that attract horses, owners, and enthusiasts from around the globe. Yeung emphasized the need to fully capitalize on this feature and mentioned ongoing discussions about whether the current age restrictions remain necessary.
Currently, individuals under 18 are not permitted to bet or enter premises where bets are accepted, including horse racing venues. Tourists aged 18 or above with valid travel documents can enjoy free entry to the Jockey Club’s public enclosure. Yeung noted that both the government and the Jockey Club share the goal of promoting horse racing as one of Hong Kong’s major attractions. They are exploring ways to make racecourses more accessible to tourists and promote events on a global scale.
When asked if the age restriction poses a challenge to boosting the city’s horse racing appeal, Yeung acknowledged the importance of limits but suggested they should be adaptable based on changing needs. He added that any necessary restrictions would be implemented after careful consideration.
In Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s recent policy address, the government proposed developing tourism offerings based on Hong Kong’s unique characteristics, including horse racing, alongside other types of tourism such as yacht, panda, cultural, and ecotourism.
Local reports earlier suggested that the government had already initiated talks with the Jockey Club about relaxing age limits at racecourses, potentially positioning them as family-friendly attractions for tourists.
It is worth noting that the Hong Kong Jockey Club reported a total turnover of HK$134.7 billion ($17.3 billion) for the 2023/24 season, down 4.5 percent from HK$141.1 billion ($18.1 billion) the previous year.
Meanwhile, in Macau, where gaming is the dominant industry, the Macau Jockey Club ceased operations in April this year, marking a failed attempt to transform horse racing into a tourism attraction amid the ongoing weakness in horse racing betting.
