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.

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.

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.

Practical perspectives on how technology is reshaping wagering operations day to day. Panellists will explore proven applications, the risks operators are navigating, and what genuine innovation looks like for the industry.

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?

Gambling advertising is under more scrutiny than ever, and the levers marketers have leaned on for years are being pulled away one by one. Tightening restrictions, mounting public pressure and a fragmenting media landscape are forcing operators to rethink how they build a brand and win customers. 

This session explores what effective marketing looks like when the traditional playbook no longer applies: how to grow acquisition and loyalty inside tighter boundaries, where the real opportunities still sit, and how to stand out without stepping over the line. 

For marketing and commercial leaders, it's a candid look at how to keep growing brand and market share in an environment designed to make that harder. 

The fraud arms race just changed gear. Fraudsters are using stolen identities, synthetic profiles and automation to slip through onboarding and cash out before anyone even notices.

This session goes inside the contest between operators and the people trying to beat the system: how the threat is evolving, where operators are most exposed, and what smarter detection, data enrichment and shared intelligence can do to close the gap.

For risk, operations and commercial leaders, it's a practical look at protecting margin, customers and integrity without adding the kind of friction that drives good customers away.

Sport and wagering partnerships have moved well beyond logo placement. Sponsorships, official data and content deals, brand ambassador arrangements and broadcast integration now sit within a fast-changing media, technology and fan landscape.

This session brings together leaders from across sport, wagering and the partnership ecosystem to look at what makes these arrangements work: how value is created on both sides, what codes and clubs are looking for from a commercial partner today, and how the strongest deals are being designed to endure as the environment continues to evolve.

A practical, forward-looking conversation about building partnerships that last.

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.

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.

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.

This panel brings together the people who engage with wagering from the customer's side of the ledger to discuss what sustains the market long term, why customer trust and fairness shape the future of wagering, and what it really means to be a professional punter in 2026.

Expect a frank conversation about whether professional punting has a future at all, and what the answer says about the health of the market.

Day 2 kicks off with a sharp recap of the highlights and key themes, before a full program of panels, keynotes and fireside conversations.

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.

Illegal offshore gambling is the biggest threat to consumer protection, sport and racing integrity, and government revenue. As unlicensed operators become increasingly sophisticated, traditional enforcement measures are struggling to keep pace. This keynote will examine the scale of Australia's offshore gambling challenge, the risks posed to consumers and sporting integrity, and the Government's proposed new measures to strengthen enforcement against illegal operators. Drawing on the latest research and real-world examples, Kai Cantwell will explore how governments, regulators and industry can do more to protect consumers and ensure Australians continue to bet in a safe, regulated market.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Two days of ideas, debate and connection draw to a close, and we look forward to seeing you again at Backing The Punt 2027.