Japan: horseracing off-track betting facilities suspended

Amid a fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Japanese authorities have suspended horseracing off-track betting facilities and the presence of spectators at races in four prefectures.

Japan.- Faced with another rise in the number of people infected by Covid-19, Japan has decided to suspend off-track betting facilities and the presence of spectators at horseracing meetings in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures.

The Japan Racing Association (JRA) announced that races will be held with no spectators until May 9. Off-track betting facilities will also remain closed. A similar decision was taken by the National Association of Racing (NAR).

Off-track betting facilities in other prefectures will remain open for now. Punters can also continue to bet online.

The government has also ordered the suspension of Pachinko parlours until at least May 11.