Backing The Punt 2026:
PROGRAM PREVIEW
DAY 1
Wednesday 2 September 2026
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Registration opens from 8:00am. Arrive early, grab a barista-made coffee, and take the chance to reconnect with colleagues before the program kicks off. It's the perfect opportunity to catch up with familiar faces from across the wagering and racing industry, meet fellow delegates, and set yourself up for two days of conversation, ideas and connection.
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The conference opens with a formal welcome from a senior representative, setting the scene for two days of industry-leading discussion across wagering, racing and sport.
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A fast-paced recap of the industry's biggest headlines over the past year, paired with a timely economic and market outlook. Expect candid analysis of the forces shaping Australia's wagering and racing landscape and bold predictions for the year ahead.
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Practical perspectives on how AI is reshaping wagering operations day to day. Panellists will explore proven applications, the risks operators are navigating, and what genuine AI adoption looks like for the industry.
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An in-depth conversation on the rise of prediction markets globally. What do they mean for traditional wagering? How are operators and regulators responding? And where does Australia fit in an evolving global landscape?
Morning Tea
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Delegates can choose the conversation most closely relevant to their area of work. Choose from focused sessions covering the issues at the forefront of the industry right now: Fraud Prevention; Product Innovation, Gamification and Social Gaming; Data Use in Wagering; Advertising and Marketing; Tech Innovation; and Trading Markets.
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Whether your focus is operational, commercial or strategic, there is a session to match your interests and spark your next conversation. Choose from focused sessions covering the issues at the forefront of the industry right now: Fraud Prevention; Product Innovation, Gamification and Social Gaming; Data Use in Wagering; Advertising and Marketing; Tech Innovation; and Trading Markets.
Lunch
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A frank conversation about the funding dynamics between gambling revenues, sporting bodies, and broader community obligations. Leaders from racing, sport and media will discuss where the pressure points lie and what a sustainable model looks like.
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A headline keynote from one of Australian sport's most recognisable voices. Expect honest, wide-ranging reflections on the business of sport, what the industry can learn from its successes and failures, and the evolving relationship between sport, media and wagering.
Afternoon Tea
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Integrity experts from law enforcement, sporting codes and regulatory bodies examine the evolving threat landscape facing Australian sport. The session covers match-fixing risks, covert intelligence work, and how cross-agency collaboration is responding to increasingly sophisticated threats.
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A global scan of regulatory developments shaping the future of wagering. Speakers from New Zealand, the US and beyond will share what Australian operators and policymakers should be watching as international reform gathers pace.
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Closing Day 1 with the voices that matter most: the punters themselves. Professional punters share how they engage with the market, what operators get right and wrong, and what the industry could do differently to better serve its customers.
6pm - 9pm
Evening Networking Function
After a full day of insights and debate, the conference evening function is your chance to unwind and continue the conversations that matter. Connect with fellow delegates, speakers and sponsors in a relaxed setting over drinks and canapes, and build the relationships that make Backing The Punt more than just a conference.
Venue: The Waterside Hotel - Level 2, 508 Flinders St, Melbourne (corner of King & Flinders)
DAY 2
Thursday 3 September 2026
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Day 2 kicks off with a sharp recap of the highlights and key themes, before a full program of panels, keynotes and fireside conversations.
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A keynote examination of the growing body of litigation affecting the wagering sector and what it signals for consumer protection obligations. Legal practitioners at the forefront of these cases will outline the emerging risks operators need to understand.
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A hard look at the integrity challenges facing Australian racing, from the threat of illegal offshore wagering to the intelligence and enforcement strategies being deployed in response. Senior integrity and regulatory voices will assess what is working and what more needs to be done.
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A rare, unfiltered conversation with the riders themselves. A panel of Australia's most celebrated jockeys reflects on the state of racing, the challenges facing participants, and the role of the jockey in the future of the sport.
Morning Tea
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An expert panel explores the commercial and structural forces shaping thoroughbred breeding and syndication today. From market trends to the growing role of syndicates in bringing new participants into the sport, this session covers the full picture.
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A focused discussion on safer gambling initiatives and the ongoing rollout and impact of BetStop. Industry practitioners and researchers will examine what the data shows, what operators are doing well, and where the gaps remain.
Lunch
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Australia's leading wagering and racing executives share their strategic outlook. From navigating regulatory headwinds to building sustainable businesses in a competitive market, this showcase offers rare candour from the industry's most senior voices.
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Closing remarks and thank you to delegates, speakers and sponsors. Expect a compelling perspective on Australian sport and racing from a figure who has operated at its highest levels, leaving delegates with ideas and energy to take back to their businesses.
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Two days of ideas, debate and connection draw to a close, and we look forward to seeing you again at Backing The Punt 2027.