HKJC records highest day of betting turnover since 1997

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) recorded the highest day of betting turnover since 1997 on Tuesday, with punters celebrating Chinese New Year by wagering HK$2.06 billion (US$263 million) at Sha Tin.

Not since 15 June 1997, when the last HKJC race meeting before the territory’s handover back to China generated turnover of HK$2.54 billion (US$324 million), has there been such activity with Tuesday’s tally comfortable exceeding the HK$1.86 billion (US$238 million) bet last year.

Attendance of 84,394 was also the highest attendance since the implementation of COVID restrictions in early 2020.

According to HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the result included a 9.4% increase in turnover from punters in Hong Kong, while international turnover also grew year-on-year.

“We are absolutely delighted with today’s race meeting,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

“The atmosphere was really fantastic and it brought back what we always felt – that Lunar New Year is a very special race meeting.

“We could not have dreamed of such a result, so we are extremely satisfied.”