Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) happens to be an oldest institution in Hong Kong. It was established in the year 1884 to help promote the horse racing activities. Under the colonial rule, this club enjoyed a royal patronage and was commissioned under, The Royal HKJC. This non-profit organization until date has provided and promoted sporting, horse racing in Hong Kong and the good life in the area.
It holds a monopoly that is granted by the government to provide a pari-mutuel risk on lotteries, racing and fixed odd gaming in football. HKJC is not just the highest taxpayer in Hong Kong; it is also the biggest private donor of charitable funds. It contributes nearly a billion HK dollars a year. HKJC also offers recreational and dining facilities to about 20,000 members.
When it first began in the year 1884, it was exclusively for the ruling class of people. There were few Chinese members who joined the group in the 19th and 20th centuries. There were no Chinese members in rest of the 3 top colonial clubs then, the Victoria Recreation Club, Jockey Club and the Amateur Dramatic Corps. In 1970′s there was a change in the status of the club changed from amateur to professional. Then they went on to organize annual races that took place around the New Year of the Chinese.
Charity services by HKJC
As Hong Kong struggled with the post-war massive immigration and reconstruction in the 1950s, there was a great need for charitable structures. HKJC then improved its role in charity in the year 1955 by devoting officially its annual excess to various community and charity projects.
In 1959, there was a formation of the HKJC Charities to manage donations. This firm in 1993 became HKJC Trust for charities. This trust serves the 4 key areas of civic and social needs: sports, training and education, culture and recreation, medical and community services.
This club has a legalized monopoly to bet on football and horse racing in hong kong. Six off-course branches were opened in the 70′s where the locals could wager on the races at the club’s happy valley races.