The business of the 35th Asian Racing Conference in Hong Kong, taking place from 5 to 8 May at Hong Kong’s Conference and Exhibition Centre, gets underway with a key session under the heading: ‘Racing’s lifeblood – the future landscape for wagering’.
CEOs of Betfair, PMU, BHA and Hong Kong Jockey Club to examine the future of betting at the Asian Racing Conference in Hong Kong as landmark report is released
The high-powered panel of speakers includes four men who are closely involved with some of the most significant horse race betting operations in the world, and between them will provide a fascinating perspective on where the industry is at present and what the future might hold.
One of these speakers is Betfair Chief Executive Officer Breon Corcoran, who joined the leading betting exchange in 2012 from Paddy Power. Another is Philippe Germond, who has been the CEO of Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU), the leading French totalisator operator, since 2009. They are joined by the Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, Paul Bittar, who, as part of his role, is a major player in negotiations with the UK betting industry to achieve the best possible returns for racing.
Opening the session, and chairing the discussion, will be Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, a position he has held since 2007. The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s average totalisator turnover per racing fixture is the highest in the world.
In addition to the presentations and debate, this session will also see expert market analyst Jennifer Owens unveil a landmark report on the sector and on future funding that will be available to racing. Taking a global perspective, her report will examine current trends in wagering, analyse the factors which are influencing performance, and give a clear-sighted view of what the future holds for betting on racing, and by implication, the funding of racing.
Ms Owen is an independent gaming consultant and a recognised industry expert in the investment community, who spent 16 years as a top-ranked analyst at both Citi and Macquarie Bank.
The 2014 Asian Racing Conference is being organised by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, in association with the Asian Racing Federation.
The 2014 Asian Racing Conference is set to welcome a record number of delegates, with over 700 confirmed attendees from 40 countries already registered ahead of the deadline at the end of this month. That list currently includes over 80 from Europe, including 40 from the UK, 10 from Ireland and 24 from France.
For more information or to register as a delegate, please visit www.archk2014.com
