China Coup For Tasracing and TOTE Tasmania

Thursday, 09 June 2011 21:06

The Minister for Racing Bryan Green today welcomed an agreement that will take Tasmanian racing industry expertise into China and potentially offer commercial opportunities for Tote Tasmania and Tasracing.

Mr Green said TOTE Tasmania and Tasracing last week signed the agreement with government officials and private sector investors from Fujian Province.

A world-class thoroughbred horse racing industry and supporting infrastructure is proposed for the Xiamen Special Economic Zone.

“This is a very positive endorsement of Tasmanian racing and the infrastructure that we have in place here,” Mr Green said.

“There are very good opportunities for TOTE Tasmania to become a commercial partner with the industry in Xiamen as the preferred supplier of Chinese style lottery products.

“For Tasracing and our racing industry the export opportunities for Tasmanian bred and trained horses are excellent.

Mr Green said TOTE Tasmania was held in high regard in the emerging wagering markets of Asia.

“This is demonstrated by the fact that Chairman Michael Kent was appointed to the Advisory Board of Strategic Development for the China Centre for Lottery Studies (CCLS) at the Peking University last year.

The CCLS is a self-financed, non-profit academic institution that promotes research and professional training for China’s rapidly developing lottery industry.

Mr Green said he looked forward to positive outcomes from the agreement.

“There are significant benefits available for TOTE Tasmania, Tasracing, the  State’s racing industry and the broader community,” Mr Green said.