Asia
Hong Kong’s record prize money increase includes world’s richest Group 1 turf sprint
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Hong Kong Sprint raised to £2.2m as HKJC boosts prize pot for 2020/21 to over £143m
Hong Kong racing will offer record prize money of HK$1.4 billion (£143.5m) for the 2020/21 season, with the Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint and BMW Hong Kong Derby featuring prominently among the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s upward adjustments.
The LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (6f) will regain its position as the world’s most richly-endowed Group 1 turf sprint with a value this year of HK$22 million (£2.2m), an increase of HK$2 million (£205,000). Five other Group 1 races – Centenary Sprint Cup (6f), Stewards’ Cup (1m), Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (7f), Hong Kong Gold Cup (1m2f) and Champions & Chater Cup (1m4f) – will receive HK$2 million (£205,000) increases, taking their value to HK$12 million (£1.2m).
The historic BMW Hong Kong Derby is Hong Kong’s most important domestic contest and will be worth HK$24 million (£2.4m), a HK$4 million (£400,000) increase on the 2020 renewal. The 1m2f contest is a key race each year, being a vital springboard for the next crop of Hong Kong’s stars, and regains its position as the second-richest Derby in the world, behind only Japan’s equivalent and ahead of the Kentucky Derby, the UAE Derby and the original Derby at Epsom.
The Hong Kong Derby is the final leg in the three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series and the Club has also taken the decision to up prize money for first two legs: the Hong Kong Classic Mile and Hong Kong Classic Cup will both be worth HK$12 million (£1.2m) in 2021, an increase of HK$2 million (£200,000) to each race.
Race | 2019/20 (HK$) | 2020/21 (HK$) | Increase (HK$) | % Increase |
Hong Kong Sprint | 20,000,000 | 22,000,000 | 2,000,000 | 10 |
Centenary Sprint Cup | 10,000,000 | 12,000,000 | 2,000,000 | 20 |
Stewards’ Cup | 10,000,000 | 12,000,000 | 2,000,000 | 20 |
Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup | 10,000,000 | 12,000,000 | 2,000,000 | 20 |
Hong Kong Gold Cup | 10,000,000 | 12,000,000 | 2,000,000 | 20 |
Champions & Chater Cup | 10,000,000 | 12,000,000 | 2,000,000 | 20 |
Hong Kong Derby | 20,000,000 | 24,000,000 | 4,000,000 | 20 |
Hong Kong Classic Mile | 10,000,000 | 12,000,000 | 2,000,000 | 20 |
Hong Kong Classic Cup | 10,000,000 | 12,000,000 | 2,000,000 | 20 |
All Group 2 and Group 3 races will also rise in value. Group 2 purses will increase by 5.9% from HK$4.25 million (£435,000) to HK$4.5 million (£460,000), while the prize funds for Group 3 races will rise by 7.7% from HK$3.25 million (£333,000) to HK$3.5 million (£359,000).
Total prize money for the 2020/21 season’s 88 meetings at Sha Tin and Happy Valley is up by approximately 4.9% on the 2019/20 season. This year’s lucrative purse increases span all handicap races from Class 1 down to Class 5.
Class | 2019/20 (HK$) | 2020/21 (HK$) | Increase (HK$) | % Increase |
Group 2 | 4,250,000 | 4,500,000 | 250,000 | 5.9% |
Group 3 | 3,250,000 | 3,500,000 | 250,000 | 7.7% |
1 | 2,800,000 | 3,000,000 | 200,000 | 7.1% |
2 | 2,100,000 | 2,200,000 | 100,000 | 4.8% |
3 | 1,450,000 | 1,500,000 | 50,000 | 3.4% |
4 | 967,000 | 1,000,000 | 33,000 | 3.4% |
5 | 725,000 | 750,000 | 25,000 | 3.4% |
Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association President Mr. Chew Fook Aun said: “At a time when prize money levels are being cut worldwide, the prize money increases announced today by the Hong Kong Jockey Club are very welcome news, and a testament to the strength, resilience and buoyancy of Hong Kong racing, even in these very difficult times”.
Mr. Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, at the Hong Kong Jockey Club said: “Hong Kong racing is among the best in the world and part of what makes it such a competitive sports environment is the excellent prize money available from Class 5 right up to Group 1. Despite the issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty in world economies, we will continue our successful strategy of recent years to increase purse levels as necessary in order to reward and encourage our owners and to ensure Hong Kong’s elite races are attractive to overseas competitors. This approach has been a core element in Hong Kong being able to maintain its position as a world leader in providing quality horseracing and has enabled us to achieve between 20 and 26 horses in the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for each of the past seven years.
“For next season, the Club has increased prize money to a record overall sum, including a significant injection across all Class 1 to Class 5 handicap races and Group 2 and Group 3 contests. We believe this will help to enhance competition and assist our owners in their attempts to purchase and import the best possible horses in a difficult economic climate.”
Mr. Harding noted the importance of ensuring Hong Kong’s elite races, including the BMW Hong Kong Derby, continue to offer purse money which is among the best in the world.
“Hong Kong is already home to the world’s richest turf races at 2000 metres (1m2f), a mile and 1400 metres (7f), and, while our Group 1 prize money is strong, we have nonetheless identified a specific need to increase the prize funds for six of our Group 1 races, notably the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (6f), which regains its status as the world’s richest Group 1 turf sprint,” he said.
“We have also increased purses for each of our three Four-Year-Old Classic Series races, notably the BMW Hong Kong Derby, which regains its position as the second richest Derby in the world. The investment from our owners in high quality young stock for our Four-Year-Old Classic Series each year brings a vital replenishment of our elite cohort of runners, which in turn maintains the very high standard of racing here in Hong Kong.”
IJC Trainer Bonus
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has also introduced a new bonus for the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship held at Happy Valley in December.
To encourage a higher quality of horses in the four IJC races, the new bonus scheme will offer prizes of HK$200,000 (£20,500) to the most successful trainer in the contest’s four races, HK$100,000 (£10,250) to the runner-up and HK$50,000 (£5,125) to the third-placed trainer, with points awarded in a similar fashion to the jockeys’ competition.
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Asia
Tencent Cloud Recognised as a Leader in Omdia Market Radar for Games in Asia & Oceania, Solidifying its Position as a Global Gaming Industry Innovator
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Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global leading technology company Tencent, has been named as a leader among cloud platforms for games in the latest report by Omdia, a premier technology research and advisory firm. The report highlights Tencent Cloud’s exceptional capabilities in supporting the gaming industry, showcasing its cutting-edge infrastructure and innovative, gaming-specific solutions, which solidify its position as an innovator in the global gaming sector.
According to the “Omdia Market Radar: Cloud Platforms for Games, Asia & Oceania – 2025,” Tencent Cloud is the top cloud platform for game developers in China – one of the largest and fastest-growing markets globally. It is also expanding its influence internationally, establishing a significant presence in Asia and Oceania, where it is positioned as one of the leading cloud service providers and is the only Asian vendor in the leader quadrant. As China’s largest gaming company, Tencent’s scale is reflected in its deep expertise and sustained focus in the gaming sector, with a sustained focus on gaming, which drives the development of its cloud platform. This emphasis is evident in Tencent Cloud’s robust suite of tools for game developers, including game servers, multiplayer services, and LiveOps. The platform’s offerings reflect the advanced adoption of live service business models in the Chinese market, distinguishing Tencent Cloud as a leader in the industry.
Poshu Yeung, Senior Vice President of Tencent Cloud International, said: “It is an honor for us at Tencent Cloud to be recognized as a leader in the Omdia Market Radar. This acknowledgment is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in supporting the gaming industry. As the demand for cloud-based gaming solutions continues to grow, Tencent Cloud becomes even more well positioned to drive innovation and deliver greater value to developers and players all over the world.”
The post Tencent Cloud Recognised as a Leader in Omdia Market Radar for Games in Asia & Oceania, Solidifying its Position as a Global Gaming Industry Innovator appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
GR8 Tech Expands Reach Across Asia and Latam Through Betting Software Partnership
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GR8 Tech has partnered with B2B gambling software provider Betting Software (BSW) to integrate its highly sought-after Sportsbook iFrame Solution into BSW’s offerings. The iFrame stands out for its easy integration and powerful margin management features, which have made it one of the most popular solutions of 2024. By adding the iFrame to BSW’s sportsbook aggregation, GR8 Tech’s innovative technology will reach a broader network of operators.
Bulat Fakhrutdinov, Head of Partnerships at BSW said, “GR8 Tech’s iFrame excels in sports selection and operational flexibility, making it a perfect addition to our portfolio. Our clients will gain access to a superior solution that effortlessly enhances their sportsbook offerings to the fullest.”
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with BSW and bring our iFrame solution to even more operators. It’s already a game-changer in the industry, and we are actively expanding its reach. This partnership is a strong endorsement of the value our iFrame brings, and it’s a big step forward for us as we continue to grow and innovate,” Yevhen Krazhan, CBDO at GR8 Tech added.
GR8 Tech’s Sportsbook iFrame stands out with its broad content offering, featuring over 50 sports and esports, 25,000 daily events, and more than 2,000 betting markets. This extensive selection caters to a variety of player preferences. The iFrame’s easy integration and mobile-first design help operators quickly respond to market trends. Plus, with AI-powered content recommendations and advanced risk management, the iFrame boosts player experience and helps operators optimize margins and minimize risks. Its margin personalization feature can increase profits by over 15%, giving operators a clear edge in profitability management.
To see how GR8 Tech’s iFrame solution can elevate your iGaming business, connect with the team at upcoming events: SBC Summit Rio on February 25-27 and SPiCE South Asia on March 4-6.
The post GR8 Tech Expands Reach Across Asia and Latam Through Betting Software Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Thai Deputy PM Says Cabinet Unlikely to Approve the $1.5M Requirement for Casino Access
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Thailand Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnviraku has said that the Thai Cabinet is unlikely to approve a proposal by the Council of State to require locals to have $1.5 million in their bank accounts to enter the nation’s casinos.
It would be “difficult for the proposal to win the cabinet’s approval” because it would fail to address the issue of locals visiting illegal gambling dens or casinos in neighbouring countries, Anutin said.
He also stated that his Bhumjaithai Party would, as a government coalition member, support government policies as long as they do not harm society.
Pakorn Nilprapunt, secretary-general of the Council of State – which has proposed the revised policy, said earlier this week that the idea was to limit casino entry to those with substantial financial means.
The revised entertainment complex bill is currently welcoming its second round of public feedback but will also need further cabinet approval if latest policy revisions are to progress.
Anutin said that the newly proposed $1.5 million entry requirement for locals would be discussed at a cabinet meeting.
The post Thai Deputy PM Says Cabinet Unlikely to Approve the $1.5M Requirement for Casino Access appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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