SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The World Tote Association (WoTA) has announced the election of a new Board, welcoming its members for 2025-26.
At the WoTA General meeting, hosted at the recent Asian Racing Conference in Sapporo, Japan, Board members worked collaboratively to establish a dynamic agenda for the organisation.
This focused on multiple key objectives such as creating stronger national and global betting pools, especially through commingling, to support the respective horseracing industries.
It also touched upon expanding pari-mutuel pool betting through additional markets and sporting events content for the additional collective benefit of WoTA operators, as well as addressing the challenges of illegal wagering.
Finally, the meeting discussed working collectively on diversity and inclusion to further growth within the pool betting sector
WoTA members have now also elected the new Board that will drive the Association’s activities for the coming two years.
Co-Chairing the Association will be Fundi Sithebe, CEO of 4Racing in South Africa, and Keith Johnson, President of 1/ST Technology group/AmTote.
Meanwhile, Riko Luiking, General Manager of German Tote, has accepted the role of Treasurer.
Sithebe and Johnson said of their new roles: “We are delighted to be taking over as Co-Chairs of the World Tote Association. Over the last five years WoTA has made significant progress in developing the relationship between members and increasing understanding of the role pool betting plays in supporting horseracing around the globe.”
Sithebe and Johnson take over from Alex Frost, CEO of the UK Tote Group, and Hans Lord Skarploth, CEO of ATG in Sweden, who have Co-Chaired the Association since October 2022.
During their tenure as Co-Chairs, the board initiated further commingling between members and a new sport pool project.
“We thank Alex and Hasse for their excellent stewardship, and the entire WoTA Board for their efforts, and we look forward to working with all stakeholders to further our collective ambitions for the good of horseracing and society as a whole,” added Luiking.
The association emphasised that the new Board will focus on the stated key objectives to ensure WoTA progresses its overall aim to see the growth of pool betting and make an increased contribution to horseracing and has a positive relationship with customers, governments, regulators and society.
