The Japanese Racing Association (JRA) has voiced its disapproval of Betfair Australia and other betting platforms following a disagreement with the Flutter-owned company regarding its provision of Japanese horse racing markets, which resulted in Betfair removing these markets from its website.
In March, Betfair declared its intention to offer Japanese horse racing on its Australian exchange. The JRA highlighted that this move took place without prior notification from the relevant authorities.
The JRA sent two communications to Betfair, urging the operator to cease offering the market. Subsequently, on May 28, Betfair made the decision “in collaboration and support with racing authorities and other pertinent entities in Australia and other nations.”
The JRA asserted that its opposition to Betfair offering Japanese horse racing markets stemmed from the betting exchange providing bettors with the ability to place reverse wagers on horses achieving victory.
The Japanese Racing Association (JRA) has declared that wagering platforms permitting bets on losing or perpetually unsuccessful steeds are entirely unacceptable from the perspective of preserving integrity and athletic principles. The JRA firmly opposes betting exchanges and implores operators to abstain from providing exchange betting on Japanese equestrian events or supplying this service to Japanese residents.
The JRA further stated that Betfair, upon initially acquiring its Australian license, had explicitly pledged not to offer betting services on Japanese horse racing.
The JRA continued, “For an extended period, the JRA has opposed this form of wagering. In 2006, when Betfair obtained its trading betting license in Australia, the JRA penned a letter expressing our apprehensions regarding betting exchanges encompassing Japanese horse racing.
“At that juncture, Betfair’s chief executive responded to us that they would not accept wagers from Japanese individuals and had no plans or intentions to provide betting exchange markets on Japanese horse racing.”
The JRA asserted that the dispute is analogous to one that transpired last year between Betfair and the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). In September 2019, after Betfair offered betting on Hong Kong horse racing, the HKJC demanded that Betfair Australia “immediately cease” offering exchange betting on its races.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) declared that jockeys holding Hong Kong licenses are reluctant to be compelled to ride steeds anticipated to lose, particularly if they are favored wagers. They believe this practice will result in the public suspecting them of engaging in deceitful activities. Following the HKJC’s objection, Betfair promptly ceased permitting individuals to wager on Hong Kong races on their exchange platform. Betfair stated they concur with the HKJC that this type of wagering could undermine the integrity of horse racing.
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