The Hong Kong Jockey Club has again been granted the highest level accreditation under the Responsible Gaming Framework of the World Lottery Association (WLA), for its efforts in promoting responsible gambling. It was the third time the Club received the Level 4 accreditation.

The Club first received Level 4 accreditation in 2011, the first in Asia to receive such an honour and was recertified in 2015. Since then, it has continued to advocate responsible gambling and has established an extensive range of measures under its Responsible Gambling Policy. It has implemented responsible gambling programmes and improved responsible gambling initiatives by establishing stringent monitoring mechanisms. These efforts demonstrate why the Club has been able to maintain the highest standards required for the current level of certification.

The accreditation needs to be recertified every three years.　The Club has fully satisfied all programme elements of the Responsible Gaming Framework of the WLA, namely research, employee programme, game design, remote gaming channels, advertising and marketing communications, player education, treatment referral, stakeholder engagement, reporting and monitoring the effectiveness of the responsible gambling measures.

Impressed by the Club’s holistic approach in implementing responsible gambling initiatives, the panel of independent assessment experts said, “The constant link between the development and implementation of Responsible Gambling programmes and its constant assessments is exactly what is to be expected by a very good Level 4 accreditation. Overall, the panel deems that this is an outstanding responsible gambling programme.”

The Club is a pioneer in promoting responsible gambling in Hong Kong and work with the Government to combat illegal gambling. It allocated HK$24 million for the Government to set up the Ping Wo Fund in 2003, with the objective of addressing gambling-related social problems in Hong Kong. The Club’s contributions to the Ping Wo Fund have increased over the years, with total contributions expected to exceed HK$362 million by end of the 2018/19 Season.

With members from over 80 countries, WLA adopted Responsible Gaming Framework aimed at protecting lottery players around the world. The effort will ensure that the public is protected and revenues for the public good are sustained. The Responsible Gaming Framework consists of four levels of achievement; it outlines how operators can demonstrate their level of commitment to the Responsible Gaming Principles. To achieve Level 4, operators must implement specific programmes into their day-to-day operations and are continuously committed to improve their programmes.

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 charity 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 2017/18, the Club made a record return to the Government of HK$22.6 billion in duty and profits tax and contributed HK$1.2 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity donations were HK$4.2 billion. 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.