scooby3051 10,863 Report post Posted April 15, 2018 China to Support Horse Racing, Expand Sports Lottery in Hainan Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Share on Reddit Share on Googl China to Support Horse Racing, Expand Sports Lottery in Hainan By Daniela Wei and Keith Zhai April 14, 2018, 11:05 PM GMT+8 Moves could pave way for casino gaming on nation’s mainland China announced package of policies to boost Hainan tourism China said it would encourage horse racing and expand sports lotteries in the southernmost island of Hainan, moves that may eventually open the door to gaming on the nation’s mainland for the first time. China will support the development of horse racing and other projects including beach and water sports in Hainan, according to a reform agenda approved by China’s cabinet and announced in the official Xinhua News Agency Saturday. The province should also “explore the development of sports lottery and instant lottery on large-scale international games,” it said, without elaborating. While the government bans all forms of gambling, it officially allows two types of lotteries -- including one in which players predict the outcomes of international soccer matches. It also permits some horse racing, though betting is banned and the central government had previously refrained from promoting the sport. “Horse racing has grown quickly in China in recent years, but it’s the first time the central government has promoted the game for a city and simultaneously encouraged further development of sports lottery,” said Su Guojing, chairman of China Lottery Industry Salon, a business group. “Although it still takes time to explore, Hainan may try to launch a lottery for more sporting events, including horse racing and rowing, to help boost Hainan’s tourism.” Any shift in China’s approach toward gambling could end up threatening the $33 billion casino industry in Macau -- the world’s largest gaming center-- as well as other casino hubs in Asia. Macau has been shifting to attract Chinese tourists and families to the territory, which is the same market that Hainan currently draws. Reform Package In February, Bloomberg reported that government agencies under a party reform group headed by President Xi Jinping were considering proposals to support the island, including allowing online gaming and a lottery, relaxing visa rules and enhancing infrastructure. The proposal could one day open the door to physical casinos, which are currently banned on the mainland, people familiar with the talks said. The moves were part of a package of reforms unveiled while Xi visited the island, which is often called "China’s Hawaii." Hainan will set up a trial free-trade zone, adopt more open duty-free shopping policies, boost the number of international flights, and prioritize tourism, medical services and the financial sector. Xi’s plan should increase the flow of local and foreign tourists to Hainan, where entrepreneurs and real estate developers have been pouring in billions of dollars to build resorts and shopping centers that have stayed mostly empty. The province faces a fiscal deficit amid the debt woes of HNA Group Co., it’s biggest conglomerate that’s facing pressure from creditors after a global expansion. Xi attended the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan earlier this week, which brought world leaders to the island. At the forum, Xi reiterated pledges to open sectors from banking to auto manufacturing, and warned against “Cold War mentality” amid trade disputes with U.S. counterpart Donald Trump. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
China to Support Horse Racing, Expand Sports Lottery in Hainan By Daniela Wei and Keith Zhai April 14, 2018, 11:05 PM GMT+8 Moves could pave way for casino gaming on nation’s mainland China announced package of policies to boost Hainan tourism China said it would encourage horse racing and expand sports lotteries in the southernmost island of Hainan, moves that may eventually open the door to gaming on the nation’s mainland for the first time. China will support the development of horse racing and other projects including beach and water sports in Hainan, according to a reform agenda approved by China’s cabinet and announced in the official Xinhua News Agency Saturday. The province should also “explore the development of sports lottery and instant lottery on large-scale international games,” it said, without elaborating. While the government bans all forms of gambling, it officially allows two types of lotteries -- including one in which players predict the outcomes of international soccer matches. It also permits some horse racing, though betting is banned and the central government had previously refrained from promoting the sport. “Horse racing has grown quickly in China in recent years, but it’s the first time the central government has promoted the game for a city and simultaneously encouraged further development of sports lottery,” said Su Guojing, chairman of China Lottery Industry Salon, a business group. “Although it still takes time to explore, Hainan may try to launch a lottery for more sporting events, including horse racing and rowing, to help boost Hainan’s tourism.” Any shift in China’s approach toward gambling could end up threatening the $33 billion casino industry in Macau -- the world’s largest gaming center-- as well as other casino hubs in Asia. Macau has been shifting to attract Chinese tourists and families to the territory, which is the same market that Hainan currently draws. Reform Package In February, Bloomberg reported that government agencies under a party reform group headed by President Xi Jinping were considering proposals to support the island, including allowing online gaming and a lottery, relaxing visa rules and enhancing infrastructure. The proposal could one day open the door to physical casinos, which are currently banned on the mainland, people familiar with the talks said. The moves were part of a package of reforms unveiled while Xi visited the island, which is often called "China’s Hawaii." Hainan will set up a trial free-trade zone, adopt more open duty-free shopping policies, boost the number of international flights, and prioritize tourism, medical services and the financial sector. Xi’s plan should increase the flow of local and foreign tourists to Hainan, where entrepreneurs and real estate developers have been pouring in billions of dollars to build resorts and shopping centers that have stayed mostly empty. The province faces a fiscal deficit amid the debt woes of HNA Group Co., it’s biggest conglomerate that’s facing pressure from creditors after a global expansion. Xi attended the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan earlier this week, which brought world leaders to the island. At the forum, Xi reiterated pledges to open sectors from banking to auto manufacturing, and warned against “Cold War mentality” amid trade disputes with U.S. counterpart Donald Trump.
La Zip 468 Report post Posted April 15, 2018 I suppose for many in NZ racing this announcement could be considered a lifeline..but then again NZ did ban live sheep exports for good reason..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crustyngrizzly 1,700 Report post Posted April 15, 2018 Xi wouldn't be allowing this to happen unless there was a big pay off for China. Nothing happens in China without the say so of Xi. Personally i would be wary of doing business with these guys. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
