Shall we delve deeper into why this partnership is so important and how the horse racing industry might change in the future? Beyond simply catching illegal activities, there’s a bigger picture of establishing a healthy leisure culture in our society. It truly feels like there’s a strong will to make a real impact this time.

Why is illegal horse racing such a serious problem?

Illegal horse racing causes far greater social problems than one might think. It goes beyond simply winning or losing money; it erodes a healthy leisure culture itself. In particular, cyber gambling that exploits advanced ICT technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated and large-scale.

• Threat to the national economy: An enormous amount of money is siphoned off by illegal gambling. This is capital that could be returned to the legal market as taxes, but instead, it flows into the underground economy.
• Increase in social harm: It often leads to personal bankruptcy, family breakdowns, and even violent crimes. Its addictive nature makes it incredibly difficult to escape once involved.
• Damage to industry image: Illegal gambling is the main culprit that tarnishes the reputation of even legitimate KRA operations. This also becomes a major obstacle to fostering a healthy equine industry.

Due to these issues, eradicating illegal horse racing is not just a matter of simple enforcement but a task that requires the effort of society as a whole. This is why the collaboration between the KRA and the police agency shines even brighter.

Korea Racing Authority and Police Agency, an unprecedented partnership! What changes can we expect?

This business agreement between the Korea Racing Authority and the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency aims for a joint response to illegal cyber gambling. What’s noteworthy is that the two organizations didn’t just declare cooperation but presented very specific action plans. It’s as if they’re determined to tackle the work with precision, like cutting with a utility knife.

• Information sharing and joint crackdown: They plan to share information on illegal horse racing sites and establish a joint crackdown system based on this. This is where truly tangible effects can be expected.
• Operation of reporting and response system: Efforts to reduce blind spots are evident through the operation of a system that allows for quick reporting and response when illegal activities are discovered.
• Strengthening prevention campaigns: They will strengthen cybercrime prevention campaigns using promotional media like horse racing broadcasts and electronic display boards. This shows a strong will not just to catch offenders but to prevent crimes beforehand.
• Enhancing enforcement capabilities: They also plan to promote education and support for investigative know-how to enhance enforcement capabilities. Synergy among experts is highly anticipated.

Woo Hee-jong, Chairman of the Korea Racing Authority, also expressed his hope that this would be a “starting point for practical cooperation to protect the public.” I believe this is a very strong statement of intent.

The future of the horse racing industry, even discussions about relocation to Siheung?

Along with efforts to eradicate illegal horse racing, the Korea Racing Authority is making various attempts at innovation and for the future of the industry itself. One of these is the discussion about relocating the Gwacheon Racetrack to Siheung City. It’s reported that Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Chairman Kim Jin-kyung met with KRA Chairman Woo Hee-jong to emphasize the justification for attracting it to Siheung. Those pushing for the relocation are highlighting several advantages of Siheung.

• Accessibility and demand stability: Its proximity to Gwacheon allows for stable maintenance of existing racetrack demand, and its closeness to Incheon and Gimpo International Airports is advantageous for attracting foreign tourists.
• Suitability for horse health management: It is said to have a climate similar to Gwacheon, providing suitable conditions for horse health management. This is important because comfortable horses can perform well in races.
• Complex win-win strategy: The idea is not just to move facilities but to create a citizen-friendly space combining leisure, culture, and park functions, providing a revenue base for the KRA and creating jobs and revitalizing local commerce for Siheung City. They are even considering developing stay-type content linked to West Coast tourism resources.

I believe these efforts will ultimately play a significant role in establishing a healthy equestrian culture and transforming the horse racing industry from mere gambling into a complex leisure sports industry. I feel a strong will to create a brighter future through change.

This collaboration between the Korea Racing Authority and the police agency, and even the discussions about relocating to Siheung. I believe all these movements are important attempts to resolve the chronic problems of the horse racing industry and, furthermore, to create new value. I sincerely hope that it will establish itself as a healthy leisure culture where horses and people can enjoy together, rather than just ‘money-making’.

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