Society

Hainan to pilot lottery on horse racing

By Qi Xiao (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-02-25 15:30
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Hainan has started exploring ways to introduce betting-type lotteries on major international competitions, including horse racing in Hong Kong, the xinhuanet.com reported today.

A lottery research center has been set up by the provincial government and a research group has also been established by state authorities, the report said.

Gambling is illegal on the Chinese mainland, according to Chinese laws.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, encouraged Hainan in early January to "explore and develop" pari-mutuel sports lotteries and instant sports lotteries on large international events, in an effort to develop the island province into a global tourist resort.