The Asian-African Tote Association (AATA) was officially formed and held its first Executive Committee meeting among tote operators in the regions in May 2014, aiming to strengthen ties between leading wagering operators in the world.

In the meeting, Executive Director of Customer and Marketing of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Richard Cheung, was elected as AATA's inaugural President and Brendan Parnell, Chief Operating Officer of Tabcorp’s Media and International business was elected Vice President.

Members of AATA will work together to advance members’ common interests on issues such as:

· Technology advancements in totalisator and wagering operations;
· Commingling standards and the harmonisation of betting rules;
· The sustainable funding of the racing industry;
· Providing responsible wagering services;
· Combating illegal and unauthorised wagering operators; and
· Customer and marketing initiatives.

Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, said: “The Asian-African Tote Association provides member organisations with the platform for stronger collaboration in our many areas of shared interest.”

Tabcorp Managing Director and CEO, David Attenborough, said: “As racing and wagering becomes increasingly global, the Asian-African Tote Association will enable its members to progress the many opportunities we have.”

The founding members of the AATA are The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Tabcorp Holdings Limited, joined by seven racing wagering operators, namely:

· Automatic Systems Limited

· Macau Jockey Club

· New Zealand Racing Board

· Phumelela Gaming and Leisure

· Racing and Wagering Western Australia

· Saigon Racing Club

· Singapore Turf Club

In addition, the Japan Racing Association and the Korean Racing Authority have joined as observer organisations.

“I will endeavor to encourage exchange of ideas among AATA members via the association as an open forum. The association aims to enhance wagering operators’ capability to excel under a rapidly evolving landscape of competition, taxation and customer needs,” Richard Cheung said.

Totalisator wagering is the most popular form of race wagering in each of the AATA members’ jurisdictions. Also known as pari-mutuel betting, it is a form of betting where money from wagers on a bet type go into a pool and after appropriate deductions, the pool of money is distributed among winning customers. Part of the tote takeout goes back to support racing, local taxation and, in some jurisdictions, charitable organisations.