Gamblers in Hong Kong placed their first legal wagers on soccer yesterday as the territory kicked off a new betting operation intended to raise tax revenues and squeeze out illegal bookmakers.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club's chairman, Ronald Arculli, was first in line as he made two wagers of HK$50 (US$6.40) each on a draw between Bayern Munich and Frankfurt.
Arculli tried to brush aside concerns -- voiced by religious and youth groups -- that soccer betting will lead to social ills in Hong Kong, which is full of keen gamblers who previously had been able to wager legally only on horse races and a numbers-game lottery.
"Soccer betting is a healthy pursuit, provided you take it as a form of entertainment," Arculli told reporters as the betting got under way at noon. He placed one bet on any draw in the Bayern Munich-Frankfurt match, at odds of 4.6-1, and another bet on a 2-2 draw, carrying odds of 27-1.
Officials predict a booming trade, with wagers of HK$30 billion (US$3.8 billion) projected in the first year.
Jockey Club spokesman Li Tak-nang said more than 10,000 people have applied since last week for new accounts to place soccer bets by telephone and over the Internet. The nonprofit Jockey Club also operates the horse races and lottery and gives its proceeds to public causes.
The government says the legal betting is intended to boost tax revenues and make business hard for illegal bookmakers.
With gambling options limited at home, many Hong Kong people frequently head off to nearby Macau where casinos are the backbone of the economy.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and