Latest news with #EntainAustralia
Courier-Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Courier-Mail
Shannon steps down as Entain Australia boss
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Entain Australia boss Dean Shannon has announced he is stepping down from his role at the helm of the business from June 30. Shannon, a pioneer and highly respected figure in wagering circles, said the decision to depart was to allow Entain Australia and New Zealand the chance to enter a new phase, declaring 'it was the right time for change'. During Shannon's tenure as the boss of Entain Australia, returns to industry from the organisation have flourished, securing partnerships north of $50 million, with wagering brands Ladbrokes and Neds at the forefront of some of the three racing code's major events and initiatives. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! In announcing the departure, Stella David, Group CEO of Entain, thanked Shannon for his service. 'We thank Dean for his significant contribution to Entain, and for managing the Australian and New Zealand businesses,' David said. 'The growth and integration of Neds and Ladbrokes into our global portfolio of podium position brands has been a particular highlight and he has more recently delivered what we believe is a market leading compliance program in Australia. 'As the Australian business enters its next phase, we will continue to demonstrate our commitment to compliance and responsibly deliver great products to our customers.' After news of Shannon's departure broke, some of racing's most influential figures spoke out, including Racing NSW supremo Peter V'landys AM and Aaron Morrision, CEO of Racing Victoria. 'If you look at the form guide on Dean Shannon it speaks for itself,' V'landys said. 'No one has been more successful, both personally and through Ladbrokes. His success was extraordinary to say the least. 'I hope that he stays involved in the industry as he is a one of a kind innovator and an asset the industry desperately needs.' It was a sentiment supported by Morrison. Racing NSW boss Peter V'landys (left) and Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison (right) 'Dean has made an enormous contribution to racing and wagering in Australia and New Zealand,' Morrison said. 'He's a visionary with an exceptional mind and undeniable passion. He understands what makes racing and punters tick and as a result he's been tremendous to work with. 'I thank him for his support of Victorian racing and wish him every success in his future endeavours.' With Shannon set to depart at the end of the month, respected wagering figure Andrew Vouris has been appointed Interim CEO. Vouris brings a wealth of knowledge into the role, boasting more than 17 years of leadership experience in wagering, operations and innovation at some of Australia's biggest wagering operators, including Tabcorp and Entain. In his time at Tabcorp, Vouris played a key role in managing complex regulatory and compliance matters, including the response to Tabcorp's AUSTRAC proceedings in 2017. Shannon's departure comes as Entain Australia reaches the pointy end of its own legal fight with AUSTRAC, taken to Federal Court over alleged breaches of 'serious non-compliance with Australia's money laundering laws.' Interim Entain Australia boss Andrew Vouris. READ: 'He runs times that other horses can't': Lee brothers' next big hope The exit of Shannon from the business draws the curtain on a 13-year association with the Ladbrokes brand. Back in 2012, Shannon launched start-up corporate bookmaker before selling it a year later to Ladbrokes which served as the international brand's entry point into the robust Australian market. Five years later, Shannon then founded which found a niche market in sports and racing betting, before it was also sold to the owner's of Ladbrokes, consolidating its place in the Australian wagering market. Part of the Neds transaction in 2017 saw Shannon take the reins as boss of the Australian business for Entain where it has enjoyed significant market growth during that time. Entain Australia has commenced the search for a permanent CEO. Originally published as Respected wagering identity Dean Shannon steps down as boss of Entain Australia
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dettori excited by plan for global jockeys' league
Frankie Dettori says he is "super excited" by plans to launch a global jockeys' league for flat racing next year which could potentially see him race in the UK again. The 54-year-old is among 12 riders poised to take part in the venture, which will see them compete for points under their own individual team branding. The league is set be held across 10 events at some of the most prestigious racecourses around the world. Dettori, a mainstay of the British and European flat racing scene for 37 years but who is now based in the United States, has been signed up to take part along with British riders Ryan Moore and William Buick. "It's a project they have been working on for a few months and I am super excited," said Dettori, who has ridden more than 3,300 winners during his career. "It will appeal to a worldwide audience - especially after the 'Race For The Crown' Netflix series - and I can't wait to get started." James McDonald, Joao Moreira and Christophe Lemaire are also among the other elite riders to have joined up. Mickael Barzalona, Yutaka Take, Irad Ortiz Jr, Flavien Prat, Zac Purton and Vincent Ho have also been slated to take part. The league has been co-founded by former Godolphin chief executive John Ferguson and Lachlan Fitt, previously chief financial officer at betting group Entain Australia. Fitt said the league will seek to "compliment the existing global racing calendar" and they will be aiming for league events to be held "in close proximity to the major racing carnivals across the world". "It is still early days in our conversations with potential host venues and we are a number of months away from finalising plans in relation to what a launch season could look like. "We're hopeful there will be a number of opportunities for the league to be racing in the UK in the first 12 months." Dettori stopped riding in the UK in 2023 but has continued his career in the USA. In March the Italian filed for bankruptcy in the UK having been unable to reach agreement with His Majesty's Revenue and Customs over a long-running case of tax avoidance. Latest horse racing results
The Herald Scotland
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Dettori and Moore among superstar signings for new jockeys' league
Dettori told the PA news agency: 'It's a project they have been working on for a few months and I am super excited. 'It will appeal to a worldwide audience – especially after the Race For The Crown Netflix series – and I can't wait to get started.' The project is co-founded by former Godolphin chief executive John Ferguson and Lachlan Fitt, who served as chief financial officer of Entain Australia from 2018 until earlier this year, with organisers believing it will bring a fresh audience to the sport. James McDonald, Joao Moreira and Christophe Lemaire are among the other elite riders to have signed up for a venture that will see the 12 jockeys compete for points under their own individual team branding in up to 10 events at some of the sport's most prestigious racecourses around the world. Fitt said: 'We have watched the success of other sports take the power of their athletes and build them into global icons, with the outcome being a whole new generation of fans that now feel a deeper human connection with the athletes. 'The concept we have developed with our foundation jockeys is designed around following a similar model to other sports and we're delighted that the world's best jockeys have come together to drive this change in the way our sport is marketed to the next generation fan.' It is understood the jockeys will also own equity in their own team and be shareholders in the league, with organisers of the franchise seeking to secure commercial partners with the aim of securing a total prize fund of $15 million within two years. Fitt added: 'One of the guiding principles we have developed with our foundation jockeys is to ensure this league compliments the existing global racing calendar and with that principle in mind, we will be looking to align the timing of our league events to be in close proximity to the major racing carnivals across the world. 'It is still early days in our conversations with potential host venues and we are a number of months away from finalising plans in relation to what a launch season could look like. 'We're hopeful there will be a number of opportunities for the league to be racing in the UK in the first 12 months.' Mickael Barzalona, Yutaka Take, Irad Ortiz Jr, Flavien Prat, Zac Purton and Hong Kong superstar Vincent Ho are other names in the frame to take part. Ho said: 'We have been talking about this for months and I would love to be involved and competing against the best jockeys from around the globe. Of course we all know each other, but it's great to compete together and especially around the world at some of the best racetracks. 'Hopefully by doing this we can promote our sport even better than we do now. NBA has the All-Star in America and hopefully this will be a similar thing for horse racing but will be all around the world and hopefully it will have a big impact. 'Personally it's great to ride at different racetracks around the world which all require a different racing style, but for horse racing in general, I can only see this as a benefit as it will hopefully attract people and show that this is a really international sport. 'We have 12 jockeys from around the world – Europe, America, Asia and Australia. So it's a big thing and it's great that people will get to learn about racing personalities from around the globe. 'It's going to be fun and of course racing can be an individual sport at times. But hopefully this can attract different sponsors and investors around the world to horse racing, which is very important for the future I think.'
