08:55am - 9:05am

Welcome and opening remarks

09:05am - 9:15am

Keynote

Finish Lines & Front Pages: 12 Months in Racing & Wagering

The Straight, racing and wagering’s most respected independent publication, delivers a fast-paced recap of the industry’s biggest headlines from the last year. From regulation and reform to scandals, innovations and surprise moves - this entertaining introduction will set the pace for the two days ahead and remind us of the major stories that have shaped the sector since we last met.

• Bren O’Brien - Founder & Editor, The Straight

09:15am - 9:45am

Keynote

Financial Form Guide FY24-25

Don returns to set the scene with a timely market overview, recapping key developments across the wagering and racing landscape since the 2024 conference. This session will explore Australia’s current socio-economic trends, emerging financial signals, and bold predictions for the year ahead.

• Don Carducci - Executive Director - Equity Research, J.P. Morgan

9:45am - 10:30am

Panel

Wagering in Australia: The Revenue Roadmap

Leaders from the racing and wagering industries unpack the key trends shaping Australian wagering, including product innovation, revenue-generation strategies, and the impact of recent and upcoming regulatory reforms. Gain insight into the future-facing models driving profitability and long-term sustainability across the sector.

• Lyndon Hsu - Joint Chair, Victorian Bookmakers Association (moderator)

• Jason Scott - Chief Executive Officer, Racing Queensland/Queensland Greyhound Racing Club

11:00am - 11:45am

Keynote

Digital First - Understanding Modern Fandom

With a career spanning global sporting powerhouses including the All Blacks and FC Barcelona, Leanne brings a unique perspective on how fandom is evolving across generations. In this keynote, she unpacks the four key types of modern fandom and explores how Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Boomers are engaging with sport in new and increasingly digital ways.

• Leanne Bats - Head of Innovation & Digital, Sport Waikato

11:45am - 12:30pm

Panel

Connected, Invested, Engaged: Reaching Tomorrow’s Racing Fan

This session explores how innovation, technology, and new business models are helping the industry connect with modern audiences, enhance engagement, and create new pathways for fans to get involved. This is your front-row seat to the future of fandom.

• Ben Willis - Managing Director, MyRacehorse

• Emilie Jirsche, Chief Marketing Officer, Dabble

• Leanne Bats - Head of Innovation & Digital, Sport Waikato

• Chris Smith - Founder & CEO, Big R Social

1:30pm - 2:15pm

Panel

C-Suites Showcase: Wagering Service Providers

Join a panel of Australia’s leading wagering C-suite executives as they unpack the forces shaping the future of the sector. From tax caps and POCT audits to regulatory pressures and evolving market dynamics., this session will explore the strategic decision leaders are making today, and where they’re steering the industry over the next 3–5 years.

2:15pm - 3:00pm

The Straight’s Racing Showcase

The Straight, Australia’s most respected independent online racing publication, brings its editorial insight to a special panel on the bloodstock and breeding industry.

3:30pm - 4:15pm

Keynote

Behind the Firewall: Uncovering Australia’s Shadow Betting Market

Award-winning investigative journalist and documentary maker Jack Kerr reveals how illegal offshore gambling operators are infiltrating the Australian market, using the internet, VPNs and loopholes to target Australian customers directly, bypassing national regulations. He also explores how these operators are harvesting data from grassroots and amateur sports to fuel unregulated betting markets overseas, raising serious integrity and enforcement concerns.

• Jack Kerr - Investigative Reporter and Journalist

4:15pm - 5:00pm

Panel

Inside the Regulatory Agenda: Reform, Integrity and Enforcement

Join senior leaders from key regulatory bodies for a wide-ranging discussion on the current and future state of gambling regulation in Australia. This session will explore key issues including the implementation of BetStop, proposed restrictions on gambling advertising, sports integrity risks, enforcement against illegal offshore operators, and emerging challenges in licensing and compliance.

• Peter Cohen - Director Regulatory Affairs, The Agenda Group (Moderator)

• Suzy Neilan - Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC)

• Carolyn Lidgerwood - Authority Member and Gambling Lead, Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)

8:50am - 9:00am

Welcome and day 1 recap

9:00am - 9:45am

Keynote

Data & Insights from the racing and wagering industry

• Simon Berry - Head of Insights, Gemba

9:45am - 10:30am

Panel

The Trust Factor: Animal Welfare, Public Image and the Generational Divide

Leaders from across the racing codes explore how the industry is responding to changing public expectations, particularly across generational lines. With a focus on animal welfare, public perception, and trust, panellists will examine the shared challenges facing each code and the strategies being used to reshape the narrative and build a more trusted, sustainable future for the sport.

• Vaughn Lynch - Chief Operating Officer, Racing Victoria

• Peita Duncan - Board Chair, Greyhound Racing Victoria

• Doug Freeman - Board Member, Harness Racing NSW

11:00am - 11:45am

Keynote

Responsible Gambling

• Dr Michael Auer, Director, Neccton by OpenBet

• Kai Cantwell, Chief Executive Officer, Responsible Wagering Australia

11:45am - 12:30pm

Panel

Game Changers: Driving Fan Engagement Through Innovation in Sports.

1:30pm - 2:15pm

Panel

2:15pm - 3:00pm

Keynote

3:00 - 3:05pm

Closing address