Hong Kong races in Nevada

If you are a fan of Hong Kong racing, like me, and you live in Nevada, like me, you might be in luck. From the RGJ:

Nevada bettors soon might be able to bet on horse races in Hong Kong and partake in high-paying, pari-mutuel pools with overseas gamblers, if the proposals are approved by Nevada officials.

The Gaming Control Board will consider Wednesday the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s request to simulcast races from its two major tracks to Nevada casinos through the Las Vegas Dissemination Co.

The proposal has been approved by the Chinese government, according to the Standard, China’s Business Newspaper.

“It is a very, very big deal,” said Bill Eadington, director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada, Reno. “They have two tracks in Hong Kong, and the citizens are avid horse racing followers. So you’re bringing in that electricity, which is good for Nevada and probably good for Hong Kong.”

The agreement would mark the first time international thoroughbred horse racing would be simulcast into Nevada race books on a regular basis, although Nevada books have taken bets on special occasions in international racing, Dissemination Co. officials said.

The betting pool could increase substantially with Hong Kong tracks.

RGJ.com: Chinese races may hit Reno

Dr. Eadington is absolutely right–this is a very big deal, not the least because Nevadans will be able to bet on horses like Master Dreamer and Global Win.

Yeah, I just posted that because I’m fascinated by horse names.