Cessation of thoroughbred racing in Singapore

Cessation of thoroughbred racing in Singapore

Cessation of thoroughbred racing in Singapore

The Asian Racing Federation acknowledges with surprise the recent decision of the Singapore Government to cease all thoroughbred racing in Singapore from October 2024 after 180 years.

Three Global Experts Join the ARF Council on Anti-Illegal Betting & Related Financial Crime

Three Global Experts Join the ARF Council on Anti-Illegal Betting & Related Financial Crime

Three Global Experts Join the ARF Council on Anti-Illegal Betting & Related Financial Crime

The Asian Racing Federation’s Council on Anti-Illegal Betting & Related Financial Crime (ARF Council) announced today that it has expanded its membership to include three new experts to support integrity in racing and other sports: Mr. Kim Kelly, former Chief Stipendiary Steward, The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Mr. Michael Phelan, former CEO, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC); and Mr. Luca Esposito, General Secretary, United Lotteries for Integrity in Sport (formerly Global Lottery Monitoring System) / Executive Director, World Lottery Association.

40th Asian Racing Conference to be held in Japan in 2024

40th Asian Racing Conference to be held in Japan in 2024

40th Asian Racing Conference to be held in Japan in 2024

The 40th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) will be held in its inaugural host country in 2024 with the Japan Racing Association (JRA), in conjunction with the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), to stage the conference in Sapporo on the island of Hokkaido.

Asian Racing Conference Considers Future Trends

Asian Racing Conference Considers Future Trends

Asian Racing Conference Considers Future Trends

An examination of racing’s future workforce and fan base in a session titled “The Future” closed the business programme of the 39th Asian Racing Conference in Melbourne on 17 February.

Key Developments in India and Korea Explored

Key Developments in India and Korea Explored

Key Developments in India and Korea Explored

In a session titled “The Developments” at the 39th Asian Racing Conference in Melbourne on 17 February, delegates took a look at key recent developments in Asian Racing Federation member nations, India and Korea.

Illegal Betting Poses Growing and Complex Threat to Racing and Sports

Illegal Betting Poses Growing and Complex Threat to Racing and Sports

Illegal Betting Poses Growing and Complex Threat to Racing and Sports

The volume and growth of illegal betting and the increasingly complex threat it poses to the integrity of racing and other sports – along with its potentially dire economic impact – were among key issues raised at session nine at the 39th Asian Racing Conference in Melbourne on 17 February.

New Technology Offers Opportunities for Racing to Attract Gen Z

New Technology Offers Opportunities for Racing to Attract Gen Z

New Technology Offers Opportunities for Racing to Attract Gen Z

The horseracing industry has been urged to embrace new technology in a bid to attract Generation Z to a sport which has an ageing customer base.

Mental Health Challenges Discussed at Asian Racing Conference

Mental Health Challenges Discussed at Asian Racing Conference

Mental Health Challenges Discussed at Asian Racing Conference

The reality of mental health issues faced by high-performance sports people hit home after Mr. Glen Boss told his confronting story during an illuminating session seven of the business programme titled “The Mind” at the 39th Asian Racing Conference on 16 February in Melbourne.

Racing Faces Climate Change and Sustainability Challenges

Racing Faces Climate Change and Sustainability Challenges

Racing Faces Climate Change and Sustainability Challenges

Prominent Australian scientist, Professor Tim Flannery, told the 39th Asian Racing Conference in Melbourne on Thursday (16 February) that racing faced challenges to attract a younger generation concerned with global warming and sustainability issues.

Complete Care During the Lifetime of a Horse is Paramount

Complete Care During the Lifetime of a Horse is Paramount

Complete Care During the Lifetime of a Horse is Paramount

The need to ensure the highest standards of equine care and well-being throughout the racehorse’s life was the key message of session five of the business programme, “The Horse”, at the 39th Asian Racing Conference in Melbourne on 16 February.

Chris Waller Urges Transparency and Engagement to Build Ownership

Chris Waller Urges Transparency and Engagement to Build Ownership

Chris Waller Urges Transparency and Engagement to Build Ownership

Champion trainer Mr. Chris Waller told the 39th Asian Racing Conference in Melbourne on 16 February that transparency and regular communication with owners are the keys to retaining and increasing racehorse ownership.

Asian Racing Federation Re-elects Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and Masayuki Goto as Chairman and Vice-Chairman

Asian Racing Federation Re-elects Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and Masayuki Goto as Chairman and Vice-Chairman

Asian Racing Federation Re-elects Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and Masayuki Goto as Chairman and Vice-Chairman

The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) has re-elected Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and Mr. Masayuki Goto as Chairman and Vice-Chairman, respectively, at its Executive Council meeting in Melbourne on 14 February at the 39th Asian Racing Conference (ARC). These appointments run until the conclusion of the 40th ARC in 2024.

Racing Needs to Address Fan Base to Maintain Relevance

Racing Needs to Address Fan Base to Maintain Relevance

Racing Needs to Address Fan Base to Maintain Relevance

Racing Victoria Chief Executive Officer Mr. Andrew Jones told the Asian Racing Conference in Melbourne on 15 February that racing has work to do to lift its audience, especially with the younger generation.

World Pool, Integrated Customer Experience and Engaged Younger Audience Key to Wagering Growth

World Pool, Integrated Customer Experience and Engaged Younger Audience Key to Wagering Growth

World Pool, Integrated Customer Experience and Engaged Younger Audience Key to Wagering Growth

Global cooperation in expanding the World Pool, enhancing integrated customer experience and engaging with Generation Z were the key themes of session two of the business programme “The Wager” at the 39th Asian Racing Conference on 15 February in Melbourne.

ARF Chairman Outlines Racing’s Challenges and Opportunities

ARF Chairman Outlines Racing’s Challenges and Opportunities

ARF Chairman Outlines Racing’s Challenges and Opportunities

The Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) and Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, has outlined the key issues and challenges facing racing globally at the 39th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Melbourne on Wednesday, 15 February.

Opening Ceremony of the 39th Asian Racing Conference in Melbourne 14 February 2023

Opening Ceremony of the 39th Asian Racing Conference in Melbourne 14 February 2023

Opening Ceremony of the 39th Asian Racing Conference in Melbourne 14 February 2023

The scene was set for fruitful and forthright discussion of racing issues and more when Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Chairman and Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, on 14 February welcomed approximately 700 guests from 35 countries to the opening ceremony of the 39th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) at Palladium at Crown in Melbourne.

39th Asian Racing Conference Business Programme Topics Announced

39th Asian Racing Conference Business Programme Topics Announced

39th Asian Racing Conference Business Programme Topics Announced

The 39th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) to be held from 14 to 19 February 2023 promises to be an invaluable forum for a meeting of the leading minds in racing and sports. As with previous Conferences, the Business Programme of the 39t ARC will facilitate stimulating dialogues on an expansive range of themes and topics, such as...

ARF Publishes Inaugural Newsletter

ARF Publishes Inaugural Newsletter

ARF Publishes Inaugural Newsletter

The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) is pleased to share with you a new ARF publication, the ARF Newsletter, designed to enhance the exchange of information across ARF members and stakeholders.

39th Asian Racing Conference Registrations Open

39th Asian Racing Conference Registrations Open

39th Asian Racing Conference Registrations Open

The Asian Racing Federation, Racing Victoria and Racing Australia are delighted to announce the initial details of the 39th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) to be held in Melbourne, Australia from 14 to 19 February 2023.

ARF Council Publishes "The State of Illegal Betting" Report

ARF Council Publishes "The State of Illegal Betting" Report

ARF Council Publishes "The State of Illegal Betting" Report

The Asian Racing Federation Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime released on 18 May 2022 a new publication: “The State of Illegal Betting”. The State of Illegal Betting report examines the current situation of illegal betting, what this means in relation to legal betting, and what both will look like in the future. The report includes analysis of more than 500 betting websites to examine their licensing status, products offered, website traffic, server locations and other data points.

ARF Statement on the Passing of Dr Patricia (Trish) Ellis AM

ARF Statement on the Passing of Dr Patricia (Trish) Ellis AM

ARF Statement on the Passing of Dr Patricia (Trish) Ellis AM

Asian Racing Federation expresses our sadness following the passing of Dr Patricia (Trish)Ellis AM. We extend our sympathy and condolences to Trish’s husband, Gary, and family.

International Horse Sports Confederation Elects Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges as New President

International Horse Sports Confederation Elects Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges as New President

International Horse Sports Confederation Elects Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges as New President

The International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC) announced that Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), was unanimously elected President of the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC) at the organisation’s virtual General Assembly on 22 April 2022.

Three Global Experts Join the ARF Council on Anti-Illegal Betting & Related Financial Crime

Three Global Experts Join the ARF Council on Anti-Illegal Betting & Related Financial Crime

Three Global Experts Join the ARF Council on Anti-Illegal Betting & Related Financial Crime

The Asian Racing Federation’s Council on Anti-Illegal Betting & Related Financial Crime announced today that it has expanded its membership to include three global experts to support integrity in racing and other sports: Ms. Aahna Mehrotra, Partner TMT Law Practice, Pune, India; Professor Steve Cornelius, Head of the Department of Private Law and Director of the Centre for Intellectual Property Law, University of Pretoria; and Mr. Pim Verschuuren, Associate Research Fellow, University of Lausanne.

International Horse Sports Confederation Elects Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges as New Vice-President

International Horse Sports Confederation Elects Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges as New Vice-President

International Horse Sports Confederation Elects Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges as New Vice-President

The International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC) has announced that the IHSC General Assembly has unanimously elected Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), as the Vice-President of the IHSC.

ARF Council on Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime Quarterly Bulletin

ARF Council on Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime Quarterly Bulletin

ARF Council on Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime Quarterly Bulletin

In this bulletin, ARF Council members Douglas Robinson and James Porteous describe social media advertising of illegal betting in Hong Kong and illustrate the growing trend of illegal betting operators flooding social media channels with advertising to reach new demographics of customers, in particular younger people in Generation Z.

55th International Conference – Racing’s Future in the Spotlight

55th International Conference – Racing’s Future in the Spotlight

55th International Conference – Racing’s Future in the Spotlight

The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) has launched the 55th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities. Held virtually for the second consecutive year, the 2021 Conference examines global racing’s evolution and future challenges. The Japan Racing Association (JRA), also a member of the ARF, is the official partner of this year’s Conference.

ARF Chairman elected as new IFHA Chair; ARF Vice Chairman elected as IFHA Vice-Chair for Asia

ARF Chairman elected as new IFHA Chair; ARF Vice Chairman elected as IFHA Vice-Chair for Asia

ARF Chairman elected as new IFHA Chair; ARF Vice Chairman elected as IFHA Vice-Chair for Asia

ARF Chairman Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges elected as new IFHA Chair; ARF Vice-Chairman Masayuki Goto elected as new IFHA Vice-Chair for Asia.

How China’s Crackdown on Illegal Betting Impacts Global Betting Markets

How China’s Crackdown on Illegal Betting Impacts Global Betting Markets

How China’s Crackdown on Illegal Betting Impacts Global Betting Markets

This report examines Mainland China’s crackdown on illegal betting from 2018 to mid-2021, its background, purpose and impact. It is based on official announcements and statistics, 315 Mainland Chinese media articles related to illegal betting, and English-language reports.

ARF Council on Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime Quarterly Bulletin

ARF Council on Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime Quarterly Bulletin

ARF Council on Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime Quarterly Bulletin

Welcome to our third Bulletin of 2021. This edition of the Quarterly Bulletin highlights two important issues related to illegal betting that have wider relevance to integrity in horse racing and other sports.