Tabcorp Holdings has confirmed the appointment of Michael Fitzsimons as Chief Wagering Officer, who will oversee the redevelopment of the ASX-listed gambling group’s products and properties for betting audiences.
The appointment was described as a key hire by Gillon McLachlan, the new Chief Executive of Tabcorp, and part of the ‘evolving development’ of a new Executive Leadership Team.
An expert in the management and development of mass-market sportsbooks and lottery services, Fitzsimons joins Tabcorp from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), where he served as Executive Director of Wagering (2021–2024).
At HKJC, Fitzsimons led all disciplines related to the development of fixed-odds, parimutuel, and lottery products, including marketing, data, and product development. His responsibilities included oversight of one of the world’s largest totes, the World Pool platform, and risk management of the China Sports Lottery’s 120,000 betting branches.
Tabcorp highlighted Fitzsimons’ proven track record in transforming and delivering sportsbook properties. He previously launched the PokerStars Sportsbook and relaunched SkyBet in Germany and Italy as an executive of The Stars Group.
Tabcorp CEO Gillon McLachlan said: “Michael Fitzsimons is one of the world’s most sought-after wagering executives and brings extensive global sports betting experience to Tabcorp. He has a deep knowledge of international sports betting, trading, and tote.”
Of particular significance, Fitzsimons will oversee the redevelopment of Tabcorp’s online sportsbook platform and digital offering—a project that has lagged since Tabcorp completed its demerger from the Tatts Group in 2023.
2024 was a challenging year for Tabcorp, as the company was forced to book a statutory net loss of AU$1.4 billion (€850 million) due to impairment charges related to its wagering units, contracts, and technical projects.
In 2025, Tabcorp aims to turn around its performance, beginning with taking on the exclusive wagering license for the state of Victoria, which will be serviced by the TAB. Meanwhile investors will be eyeing Tabcorp online progress, to see if the ASX firm can maintain its market share against increased competition from foreign operators targeting Australia as a ‘soft market’.
McLachlan concluded: “Michael is a rare find—he knows both 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 enhancement of our wagering capability within the executive team. This simplified vertical structure aligns all levers for growing wagering under one executive to ensure first-class execution.”