Jockey Club Employees in Hong Kong Arrested for Illegal Betting

Following the launch of a recent initiative in Hong Kong to clamp down on corruption, a number of staff members from the Jockey Club have been arrested. The half dozen individuals were taken into custody as part of a wider number of arrests with individuals suspected of running a “corrupt and illegal” bookmakers ring.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in Hong Kong launched a new campaign at the weekend, known as Operation Iron Triangle, and those arrested from the Jockey Club were among the first caught in the sting.

A complex setup 

Six employees from the Jockey Club were arrested together with a further 15 individuals who all together formed an illegal bookmaking operation which is also charged with corruption. The bookmakers were found to be running the scheme from a residential home in Tsuen Wan while the employees of the Jockey Club are said to be two assistant trainers and four stable staff.

The ICAC is still continuing its investigation into the case so has only provided very limited information. The suspects from the Jockey Club are alleged to be working with the bookmakers, providing them with “privileged information” that would not be otherwise available to help facilitate the control of race horses and promote illegal betting.

Hundreds of millions of dollars passes through the hands in the gambling industry in Hong Kong but authorities are tough on any sign of illicit operations.

In a statement, the ICAC has said that it is unwilling to tolerate any activity which is illegal or corrupt and will be taking swift action when any are identified.

Full cooperation 

The news that some of its stable staff and employees were involved in the passing of sensitive information to bookmakers will be a source of huge embarrassment to the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

They released a statement as the news of the arrests broke, and said it would be providing its “full cooperation” to the ICAC as required. The Hing Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) also reinforced the fact it would not turn a blind eye or tolerate any kind of corrupt activity within its structure.

The HKJC went on to say that it would be continuing to work with ICAC to identify any other crimes with the primary goal of keeping horse racing in the country clean.