The Hong Kong Jockey Club has received Level 4 accreditation, the highest level achievable under the Responsible Gaming Framework of the World Lottery Association (WLA), for its ongoing commitment to promoting responsible gambling. The Club is the first operator in Asia to receive this recognition four times in succession.
The accreditation must be recertified every three years. The Club was the first organisation in Asia to receive Level 4 accreditation in 2011, and was recertified in 2015 and again in 2018 for its efforts, which include strict implementation of its Responsible Gambling Policy and maintaining an extensive range of responsible gambling measures.
To achieve Level 4 accreditation, operators need to integrate their commitments and actions into ten programme elements, employ them in their day-to-day operations, and demonstrate continuous assessment and improvement efforts. The ten elements are: research, employee programmes, retailer programmes, game design, remote gaming channels, advertising and marketing communications, player education, treatment referral, stakeholder engagement, and reporting and measurement.
In the most recent recertification process, the WLA’s independent assessment panel commended the Club for its efforts to protect players through a new Voluntary Account Betting Self-exclusion service and an extended treatment referral programme. The Club was also praised for expanding its player and public education strategy to include vulnerable societal groups, backed by evaluation measures, which has enabled it to reach target audiences more effectively. The panel particularly commended the Club for its employee programme, notably the fast roll-out of online initiatives during the pandemic, and also its launch of a well thought out stakeholder management system.
The Club is one of Asia’s leading operators in promoting responsible gambling. Its responsible gambling strategies aim to align with and support the Hong Kong Government’s policies on regulated gambling, while also steering the demand for gambling into legal channels. The Club actively supports public education, including through its funding contribution to the Ping Wo Fund. By the end of 2021, the Club’s total contribution to the Fund will have exceeded HK$450 million.
Representing lottery operators from over 80 countries, the WLA’s Responsible Gaming Principles and Responsible Gaming Framework are aimed at protecting lottery players around the world as well as ensuring that communities are secured and revenues contributing to the public good are sustained.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2020/21, the Club returned a total of HK$29.4 billion to the community. This included HK$24.9 billion to the Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$4.5 billion in approved charity donations. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world’s top ten charity donors. The Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.
