Most people spend a lot of time in an effort to minimise their tax. Not, however, the Hong Kong Jockey Club. They have proudly displayed an advertisement in the SCMP stating they paid HK$12.2 billion in tax, making up 11.5% of all HK Government revenue for last year. In other words, gambling duties are one of the major sources of Government revenue in HK and form a hidden tax on the gamblers of HK. Additionally the Jockey Club gave out HK$975 million in charitable donations, just to make everyone realise that while gambling is "bad", the results are "good". Many of these projects would otherwise be the responsability of the Government or not occur at all. So it could be considered quasi-Government spending instead. It is why the odds are stacked against the humble punter - the Jockey Club and Government are happily fleecing them and wondering why illegal bookmaking flourishes in the city.

In case the message was too subtle, the thoughtful graphic artists have put the numbers in the form of a petrol pump. With the current strong state of the price of oil and fears it is heading even higher, it seems particularly apt.