Tabcorp unveils HKJC executive director as new chief wagering officer
Described by the CEO as a “rare find”, Michael Fitzsimons to oversee core betting functions as the Australian operator’s leadership shakeup continues
Tabcorp has appointed Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) executive director Michael Fitzsimons as the firm’s new chief wagering officer (CWO).
The Australian operator has been on the hunt to fill the recently created role since December 2024 when the executive leadership team restructure was announced.
As CWO, Fitzsimons will oversee all aspects of Tabcorp’s wagering functions as part of what Tabcorp called a “simpler structure”.
Digital, retail, tote, trading, product and marketing will all fall under Fitzsimons’ remit, with his role designed to ensure one executive is responsible for all betting, as outlined by Tabcorp last month.
Fitzsimons joins the ASX-listed operator having most recently served as executive director of wagering for the HKJC since September 2022.
He arrived at the HKJC in February 2021, spending the portion his tenure as director of trading.
During his four years at HKJC, Fitzsimons has spearheaded the club’s strategy, trading, marketing, data and product efforts in relation to fixed-odds, parimutuel and lottery products.
An executive of the World Tote Association (WTA), he is also the current chair of the Asia Pacific Lottery Association, having been appointed in October 2024.
Prior to joining HKJC, Fitzsimons served as director of international trading and operations for The Stars Group between 2014 and 2021.
In that time, Fitzsimons launched PokerStars’ sportsbook, BetStars, and relaunched Sky Bet in Germany and Italy.
Fitzsimons is expected to begin his Tabcorp tenure within the first half of this year, pending regulatory approvals.
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.
“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,” the CEO concluded.
Fitzsimons will become the latest addition to a new-look Tabcorp leadership team that includes Narelle McKenzie, formerly of telecoms company Telstra, as chief legal officer and Jarrod Villani in the recently created role of chief commercial and media officer.
Those changes came in December, with chief transformation officer Robert Fraser being promoted to chief technology and transformation at the same time.
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