Asia
Hong Kong’s record prize money increase includes world’s richest Group 1 turf sprint
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$50,000 (£5,125) to the third-placed trainer, with points awarded in a similar fashion to the jockeys’ competition.
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M88 Mansion, one of the biggest and most successful online casinos in Asia, is set to celebrate the 10th anniversary of IT’S THE SHIP, Asia’s largest festival at sea, in Korea from May 23 to 26, 2024.
IT’S THE SHIP offers attendees a unique, nonstop party experience for four days and three nights. This year’s festival will sail from the South Korean city of Busan to Nagasaki, Japan, and back aboard the Italian vessel Costa Serena.
Attendees, affectionately known as shipmates, will enjoy performances from this year’s lineup, including headliners Da Tweekaz, Tchami, Yellow Claw, ACRAZE, Afro Bros, Amber Broos, Quintino, and €URO TRA$H. Additionally, M88 Mansion celebrity partner and brand ambassador Maria Ozawa will also adorn this year’s crowd with a special performance.
Shipmates will also enjoy a list of unique activities, sponsored by M88 Mansion, against the scenic Korean coastline, including a live baccarat tournament with a $25,000 prize pool and daily challenges such as Heads Up Poker, Mini Golf Course, Spin the Giant Wheel of Fortune, and a chance to challenge brand ambassador Ozawa in Beer Pong.
As the event’s partner, M88 Mansion will be giving away exclusive M88 Mansion and IT’S THE SHIP merchandise, adding to the excitement of the voyage.
Ben Kee, Partnership Lead of IT’S THE SHIP, shared his excitement about the upcoming voyage.
“IT’S THE SHIP is thrilled to continue our incredible partnership with M88 Mansion with our upcoming maiden charter from Korea. Our previous collaborations have been amazing, and we’re honored to work with a brand whose values and vision are so closely aligned with ours. Together, we have created unforgettable experiences for our shipmates, and we are excited to raise the bar even higher for our next adventure. With M88 Mansion support, we have curated a variety of exciting activities and surprises for our Korean sailing that shipmates can look forward to, and we can’t wait!” said Kee.
M88 Mansion serves as the title sponsor of IT’S THE SHIP Korea 2024 following the successful collaboration between M88 Mansion and IT’S THE SHIP during the Singapore leg in 2023.
The cruise festival has been providing partygoers with electronic music-fueled voyages through Singapore and China since 2014.
The post M88 Mansion presents 10th edition of IT’S THE SHIP, Asia’s largest festival at sea, in Korea appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Leading provider of fast-paced betting content and data to showcase its full suite of esports and sports products at Asia’s leading trade show
BETER, the in-demand provider of next-generation esports and sports betting content and data, will be exhibiting at the popular trade show SiGMA Asia being held from 3-5 June in Manila, the Philippines.
SiGMA Asia is the leading industry conference for operators and suppliers active in the region.
BETER will be exhibiting at SiGMA Asia and will be showcasing its full suite of fast-paced esports and sports betting products and solutions at stand G801.
Its Esports division provides operators with more than 35,000 events each month via its proprietary ESportsBattle tournaments. This covers hugely popular disciplines such as eFootball, eBasketball, eHockey and CS2.
In addition, the company also provides odds powered by official data for more than 400 international esports tournaments covering 60,000 pre-match and live events per year across CS2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Valorant and many more titles.
For its Sports division, the provider will be showcasing its world-renowned Setka Cup table tennis tournaments and Ping Pong Point events, as well as basketball tournaments under its BSKT Cup brand. In total, it offers more than 10,000 betting events each month.
Delegates can also learn more about BETER’s cutting-edge iFrame and comprehensive Managed Trading Services (MTS), which simplify and improve the management of a sportsbook across both traditional sports and esports content, enhancing operational efficiency and delivering improved performance margins.
BETER is shortlisted in two categories at the accompanying SiGMA Asia Awards in the categories of Best E-Sport Provider and Best Virtual Sports Provider. It has also been nominated in the Digital Sports Betting Supplier category at the Global Gaming Awards Asia-Pacific, which takes place as part of SiGMA Asia.
Additionally, BETER, in collaboration with GR8 Tech, will host an exclusive party on June 3. This event is a perfect opportunity for valued clients and partners to relax and network in a festive setting, celebrating continued partnerships and future successes.
Gal Ehrlich, CEO of BETER, said: “We are thrilled to be attending SiGMA Asia and to be showcasing products and solutions from our esports and sports portfolio. Asia is a fast-growing market and one where players are demanding fast-paced betting experiences, and this is exactly what we offer.
“Our suite of products have proved to be a hit with players around the world, exceeding their high expectations and we expect they will do the same in Asia.”
Chuck Robinson, CRO at BETER, added: “We provide premium fast betting content with 24/7 live streaming and data with a sustained margin retention of 7.5%+ while our commitment to integrity means just 0.01% of matches are flagged for suspicious activity.
“This is what makes us the go-to provider for operators looking to offer their bettors next generation experiences across esports and traditional sports and we are excited to showcase our offering to delegates at SiGMA Asia.”
The post BETER to exhibit at SiGMA Asia appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
WorldMatch has announced the release of the first batch of its certified games for the Philippines market. This significant milestone marks a crucial step in the company’s global expansion strategy and commitment to providing high-quality gaming experiences to Filipino players.
The initial batch, comprising carefully selected games certified to meet the regulatory standards of the Philippines, promises to offer a wide variety of entertainment options for players in the country. From classics to modern titles, each game has been designed to deliver an engaging and enjoyable experience for users.
“This is an exciting moment for us. We are thrilled to bring our expertise and innovation to the Philippines market and collaborate with brand new partners to deliver extraordinary gaming experiences to local players,” said Xhuljana Demerxhiu, Head of Sales at WorldMatch.
The post WorldMatch Certifies Games for the Philippines appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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