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Last weekend, government authorities brought forward their plans to permit gambling, once derided as feudal, colonial and backward, in a bid to bolster local government revenues.
Government officials have seen the success of the Jockey Club in Hong Kong, which is now the island's single largest taxpayer. Qin Zunwen, a researcher, said that a national horse betting industry could create three million jobs and annual revenue of £8.5 million, or close to $20 million.
The central city of Wuhan which was once divided up among European powers as a "concession" or colonial settlement and British residents, turned into a horse-racing centre in the late 19th century, and will now host races two times a week.
In a Chinese form of political correctness, the word "gambling" is not being used. The horse races are described as "commercial horse race meetings" or "horse lotteries."
The opening this weekend will feature seven races, and prizes totaling £11,500, about $25,000. Five to seven horse races will be held every week.
Wang Shenshun, deputy director of the Wuhan sports bureau, said the races this weekend would be "an experiment in the commercialization of horse racing in China".
He did not elaborate.
"It's a new thing for the people," said Deng Shentao, a 40-year-old lawyer from Wuhan. "I'm interested in buying a horse and getting involved in the races. It has to be more fun than investing in property or stocks."
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