Australian racing and wagering leader Tabcorp has announced the appointment of Michael Fitzsimons, currently the Executive Director of Wagering at the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), as its new Chief Wagering Officer.
Fitzsimons, who is set to take on the role in the first half of the year, subject to regulatory approvals, will be responsible for overseeing all key wagering functions, including digital, retail, tote, trading, product, and marketing.
Bringing more than 20 years of global sports betting experience across the EU, US, and Asia to Tabcorp, Fitzsimons currently leads strategy, trading, marketing, data, and product development for fixed odds, parimutuel, and lottery products at the HKJC. He also oversees one of the world’s largest totes, including the World Pool platform, along with Risk Management of China Sports Lottery’s 120,000 betting branches.
He previously served as Director of International Trading and Operations at The Stars Group where he successfully launched the PokerStars Sportsbook and relaunched SkyBet in Germany and Italy. Fitzsimons is on the executive of the World Tote Association (WoTA), Tabcorp added.
“Michael Fitzsimons is one of the world’s most sought-after wagering executives and brings extensive global sports betting experience to Tabcorp,” said the company’s Managing Director and CEO-elect, Gillon McLachlan.
“He has a deep knowledge of international sports betting, trading, and tote. Michael is a rare find – he knows digital and retail wagering and is one of the few people in the world who can connect both to grow a wagering product.
“The creation of a Chief Wagering Officer is a significant uplift in wagering capability within our executive team. The simpler vertical structure brings all levers that grow wagering together under one executive to ensure first-class execution.”
Fitzsimons' appointment is part of Tabcorp's Executive Leadership Team restructuring, announced in late December, which also includes the creation of a new Chief Commercial and Media Officer role. This position is aimed at driving stronger commercial outcomes and maximizing the value of the company's assets in both domestic and international media.