The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) reported an excellent financial year for 2024-25, with a 5% increase in turnover reaching HK$320.3 billion and record contributions of HK$28.8 billion in betting duty and profits tax to the government. Football betting turnover surged 7.8% to HK$172.8 billion, while racing wagering turnover also rose modestly. The club welcomed a record 195,786 mainland Chinese visitors, more than doubling from the previous year, supported by government policies promoting racing tourism. CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges attributed the success to a strong team effort and a strategic focus on world-class racing and customer engagement, with ambitions to become a global sports and entertainment brand. The club also invested HK$1.3 billion in the Lotteries Fund and donated HK$9 billion to community projects, contributing a total of HK$39.1 billion to societal betterment.
Looking ahead, the HKJC is preparing for the launch of world-class racing at the Conghua Racecourse in October 2026, aiming to create a racing triangle with Sha Tin and Happy Valley to boost the Greater Bay Area as a premier equine sports and tourism destination. The club plans to expand beyond racing through a strategic partnership with XIX Entertainment and capitalize on the Year of the Horse to grow its global sports entertainment presence. Leadership changes include Martin Liao Cheung-kong becoming the 27th chairman, succeeding Michael Lee Tze-hau, who was praised for his steady leadership during post-Covid transitions. The club remains committed to its core mission of societal betterment while enhancing its international profile and racing quality.
