Gamblers in Macau will soon be able to wager on Hong Kong horse races if a pending agreement between the cities' jockey clubs gets the nod from their governments.

　　Stanley ho, chairman of the Macau Jockey Club (MJC), said on Sunday the clubs will sign a pact in the next few days that would allow residents in Macau to place bets on races at the Hong Kong Jockey Club starting in May.

　　Ronald arculli, chairman of the Hong Kong club, said on Sunday the clubs would seek approval from both governments, required for such betting arrangements, after the deal is signed.

　　Neither executive said how much they hoped to gain from the deal, but Ho said previously that Macau gamblers are expected to bet about 100 million Hong Kong dollars (US$13 million) on each racing day, the South China Morning Post reported yesterday.

　　Hong kong's club is a charitable entity, while the MJC is a for-profit concern.

　　Hong kong angered Macau's gaming industry in 2002 when it restricted its residents to placing horse bets only with its jockey club. Macau had been taking wagers from people in Hong Kong.

　　The macau club had threatened to start taking bets on Hong Kong races in Macau, with less tax attached to the wagers. The Hong Kong club was also reportedly in talks about buying the MJC. But both plans never materialized.

　　Meanwhile, the MJC brought in a record high daily gross revenue of 155 million patacas (US$19 million) from Sunday's first joint race with the Hong Kong club in Macau.

　　There were a total of 12 rounds of racing, including the first Macau-Hong Kong Trophy and the Macau Guineas. Jackpots on the Macau-Hong Kong Trophy, which is expected to be an annual event from now, exceeded 13 million patacas.

　　(Ap/Xinhua)