The Hong Kong Jockey Club, in partnership with Ascot and Totepool, will launch a new Ascot World Pool for Royal Ascot in 2019. The newly-established, pari-mutuel-based World Pool will offer a strong value proposition to customers in both the United Kingdom and Hong Kong on the Royal Ascot meeting. It also further positions Hong Kong as the international hub of commingling.
Under the agreement, pari-mutuel wagers placed either on track through AscotBet or off-course with Totepool will be commingled with Hong Kong’s pools on Royal Ascot. This will ensure maximum liquidity and stronger opportunities for customers across the globe on Royal Ascot meeting.
As part of the agreement, Hong Kong will simulcast all five days of Royal Ascot for the first time next year, subject to approval of its racing fixtures.
Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are honoured to provide a global tote offering for one of the world’s leading racing festival brands, Royal Ascot. This agreement solidifies Hong Kong’s position as the global hub of commingling. Our wagering operation is world-class and is recognised as a leader in integrity and management processes.
“We believe this is the beginning of a new era in international racing. We are already in active discussions with other racing bodies about future World Pool initiatives.”
Mr. Richard Cheung, the Club’s Executive Director, Customer and International Business Development, said: “The creation of the World Pool is another step forward for the Club’s commingling strategy. We now offer global commingling opportunities not only for 88 Hong Kong meetings, but also Royal Ascot races. We have to thank our partners from Royal Ascot and Totepool for making this happen.”
“Over time we will invite other racing jurisdictions who are commingling with us on HK races and are also interested in joining the World Pool on Royal Ascot races”
This year has seen three days of Royal Ascot offered to Hong Kong customers, with an average of HK$26.4m (£2.52m) per race being wagered during the first three days of action at the Berkshire racecourse. The pool is expected to grow further with the World Pool concept next year.
Next year’s Royal Ascot meeting is scheduled to start on 18 June, 2019.
