New Entain Australia boss Andrew Vouris hits ground running in new role at the helm of wagering giant
Vouris – who succeeds Dean Shannon at the helm of wagering brands Ladbrokes and Neds after the highly respected executive stepped down recently declaring 'the time right for change' – assumes the top job with a wealth of wagering experience behind him.
Renowned for his no-nonsense approach and a love for innovation which has earned him the respect of racing's most senior figures, Vouris' 17-year wagering tenure has been as diverse as it has been rewarding.
And it's that firm grasp of a complex and always evolving wagering ecosystem that pinpointed Vouris as the man to lead the organisation into a new frontier, having undergone a total management overhaul in the past year.
'I've been really forthright in my communication to the team – I want us to win, yes, but not at all costs,' Vouris said.
'We've got a hardworking and passionate workforce both here in Australia and New Zealand but there's always room for improvement and we're steadfast in our commitment to do that.
'With challenges comes opportunity.'
The pointed comments in part speak to Entain Australia's ongoing Federal Court battle with AUSTRAC over historic allegations of noncompliance with anti-money laundering laws.
In 2017, when working for Tabcorp, Vouris had responsibilities in helping navigate that company's own AUSTRAC proceedings, before coming out the other side.
Vouris acknowledged that the matter continued to place a heavy burden on the organisation but he was now very much in the mindset of looking forward rather than back.
'I obviously can't speak on the matter specifically other than to say as an organisation we have changed significantly and continue to do so,' Vouris said.
'My prime focus is putting all our energy into connecting with our customers and stakeholders as best we can.
'At the core, punters want great products and competitive prices and that's our focus.
'Our integration of the New Zealand TAB in the past year or two has absorbed a lot of our resources but with that now complete, we can get back to innovation and growth which is a passion of mine.'
The seismic change hasn't just been confined to a management revamp, with Entain Australia undergoing something of a realignment across other facets of the business.
That included the cessation of a number of initiatives including the winding up of Ladbrokes Racing Club in Australia.
'At the end of the day we are a bookmaker – that's our business, bookmaking,' Vouris said.
'When you over-complicate things and overextend yourself you can lose your way.'
With a successful background in start-ups (Unikrn and Luxbet) and a decade at Tabcorp, Vouris is as qualified as anyone to speak to the exponential threat facing racing.
'The tax regime is a huge concern for the long-term sustainability of racing – that's been well documented,' Vouris said.
But Vouris said the challenges ddi not end there.
'Offshore and emerging cryptocurrency casino operators are a major threat too,' he said.
'They are growing at exponential rates, and the foreign licensing isn't returning anything on the domestic front.
'Some of the financial projections of what's being spent in these offshore casino markets is frightening and should be alarming to Australian racing.
'Action really needs to come now.'
Quizzed on whether these challenges could ultimately impair Entain Australia's ability to remain aggressive in the racing sponsorship space, Vouris refused to rule it out.
'While others have been retreating in his space we've tried to remain as aggressive as possible,' he said.
In recent months, rumours have intensified about the prospect of major corporate bookmakers like Ladbrokes and Sportsbet playing a role in bringing a national tote to life.
It's been mooted that Tabcorp's hopes of merging the three tote pools includes plans for middle and best tote money from the top corporates also being channelled into the pool in a bid to generate even higher liquidity.
But Vouris isn't sold.
'Show me a punter that would rather take a national tote price against the best price of the current three totes,' he said.
'I'm not convinced a national tote will be the huge win for racing it's being sold as.
'I think there's a lot that hasn't been considered on that front.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Do the Penrith Panthers dare to dream of a five-peat as Nathan Cleary exorcises Origin demons
Do the Panthers dare dream of a five-peat? That is the question on everyone's lips after they were purring once again on Sunday. Even without Brian To'o, Dylan Edwards and Liam Martin and with Nathan Cleary starting on the bench for the first time in his NRL career, the Panthers were far too strong for the Eels as they registered a comfortable 32-10 at CommBank Stadium. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Despite losing four of their opening five games of the season, the defending premiers are back on track and now sit just five competition points behind the fourth-placed Warriors. For the last 30 years, no team that finished outside the top four has ever won but the Panthers' resurgent form has put them in the conversation to not only be premiership contenders but potentially favourites to win it all again. Despite coming from the bench, Cleary led from the front on Sunday, exorcising his Origin demons as he scored a match-sealing try nine minutes out from full-time, showcasing his total class. And it has fans believing they can win a fifth straight title come September. 'They're going to win it again this year aren't they?' one fan wrote after Cleary crossed for a try. While others wrote: 'They are serious contenders again' and 'not again'. Why the Panthers can win it again in 2025 The Penrith dynasty has been built on hard work, mateship and an insatiable desire for success. This Panthers side is already the most successful team of not only the salary cap era but also the limited tackle era – which began with the introduction of four tackle sets in 1967 after the Dragons won a record 11 consecutive premierships. And although just two months ago many had written them off for finals footy, they are coming good at the right time … again. After some teething issues to start the year, understandable ones at that given they lost leaders Jarome Luai and James Fisher Harris and perennial try scorer Sunia Turuva, they are starting to click and it is an ominous sight for their rivals. But Panthers coach Ivan Cleary isn't getting ahead of himself, saying he's just focusing on winning games so they can finish as high as possible. 'We know where we wanted to finish at the start of the year and we didn't really change our mind on that,' Cleary said earlier this week. 'It's more a case that we're focused on the very short term. We'll worry about the ladder and whatever else down the track because it doesn't really matter at the moment. 'You've got to prepare well and play well, and if you do that often enough then you'll win enough games.' The Storm, Bulldogs, Raiders, Warriors and Broncos along with Penrith appear to be the teams who can logically win it this year but all have some serious holes. So can they win it again? Time will tell. But one thing is for sure, you cannot write off the Panthers in 2025 and coming into finals they are the team I would want to avoid at all costs.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘Saying my own eulogy': Benji's truth bomb after Wests Tigers loss
Under pressure Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall joked that he was 'saying my own eulogy' following his side's seventh loss in eight games on Sunday. The Tigers are desperately trying to avoid a fourth straight wooden spoon, with the club once again finding itself inside the bottom four after just six wins from 17 games this season. But Marshall was philosophical when asked about his future following their latest loss to the Warriors and said he couldn't worry about the board losing patience in his vision for the club. 'I'm not worried about the patience, the day the club feels like I'm not the right guy, that will take care of itself,' he said. 'My job is to keep pushing in the direction that I think is best for the club, which I feel like we're doing. 'Obviously the more you lose the more the pressure mount and the more the conversation starts about your role and your job and are you the right person but I can't take any notice of that, my priority is what's best for the team. 'Moving forward there are definitely things we need to work on. The long-term picture is on track to getting there but we have a lot of work to do.' Marshall's position has come under increased scrutiny this season, with the 40-year-old facing accusations of being too close with his players. It's the same criticism both Brad Fittler and Trent Barrett faced under similar circumstances, when they took on head coaching roles shortly after their playing careers. But second-year coach Benji said criticism is simply 'part of the job' and emphasised the outside noise won't change his approach. 'When you take these jobs you understand what comes with it. People talk about pressure and yeah sure but the pressure is because you want the guys to do well and the reason I do this job is because I want to turn the club around and I actually believe that I can,' he said. 'So you can't listen to the noise and you have to keep pushing forward and keep fighting for what you think is right and the rest will take care of itself. 'I've got good people around me and … I feel like I'm saying my eulogy … I'm good mate, I'm all good.' Tigers skipper Api Koroisau added: 'We love him, we think he's doing a great job and he really is for the players. He's one of those coaches that does everything for us and obviously the results are going our way but we're doing everything for him.'
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Clouds of war shroud PM's sunny China tourism pitch
Rugby league might be his preferred sport, but the prime minister's diplomatic juggling skills were on show as he stood aside a Socceroos legend in Shanghai. Attempts to lure Chinese tourists to Australia and promote the two nations' people-to-people links were overshadowed by questions about Australia's participation in a potential future conflict with the Asian superpower. US defence official Elbridge Colby, who is leading a review into the AUKUS security pact, has been pushing allies such as Australia to clarify what roles they would play in a possible war. News of the suggestion made for an awkward proposition for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday, the first full day of his six-day tour of China. As China's ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian watched on in stony silence, Mr Albanese played a straight bat to questions, reiterating Australia's commitment to the status quo in Taiwan while maintaining support for the US-Australia alliance. "It's important that we have a consistent position, which Australia has had for a long period of time," he told reporters at the headquarters of online booking giant "Our aim of investing in our capability, and as well, investing in our relationships, is about advancing peace and security in our region." Mr Albanese oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding between and Tourism Australia, and previewed an ad campaign to air in China starring local film star Yu Shi and Ruby the Roo, an animated kangaroo voiced by Rose Byrne. China's burgeoning middle class, armed with deep pockets and an appetite for travel, are key to Australia's tourism industry, spending $9.2 billion in the 12 months to March. While China is still Australia's second-largest visiting tourist market, numbers have yet to recover to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. The dramatic economic transformation China has undergone in recent decades was plain to see from Shanghai's historic Bund promenade, where Mr Albanese strolled with ex-Socceroo Kevin Muscat, who now manages Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Port FC. Shanghai's rainy season clouds parted early for the pair on Sunday morning, making way for a suffocating tropical heat that beat down on their discussion of the impact of football in fostering the two countries' interpersonal connections. Looking across the Huangpu River, a forest of newly-built skyscrapers in the Pudong district - surely constructed with no small quantity of Australian iron ore - gleamed in the sunlight. "When I first came here twice in the 1990s, the area Pudong was very different indeed," Mr Albanese said in a meeting with local Chinese Communist Party official Chen Jining."There were farms where there is now a great metropolis."The development we can see across the river is symbolic of the extraordinary development that China has seen in recent decades, lifting literally hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and creating economic benefit both for the people of China, but also increased economic engagement with countries like Australia." Mr Albanese will continue to emphasise the two nations' business and sporting links during his six-day tour of China. A keen tennis player, the prime minister will make an announcement about extending an Australian Open wildcard tournament when he visits the southwest city of Chengdu. Sport built important people-to-people ties, as did business co-operation, Mr Albanese said. "One in four of Australian jobs is dependent on our exports and overwhelmingly, by far the largest destination for Australian exports is right here in China," he said. Rugby league might be his preferred sport, but the prime minister's diplomatic juggling skills were on show as he stood aside a Socceroos legend in Shanghai. Attempts to lure Chinese tourists to Australia and promote the two nations' people-to-people links were overshadowed by questions about Australia's participation in a potential future conflict with the Asian superpower. US defence official Elbridge Colby, who is leading a review into the AUKUS security pact, has been pushing allies such as Australia to clarify what roles they would play in a possible war. News of the suggestion made for an awkward proposition for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday, the first full day of his six-day tour of China. As China's ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian watched on in stony silence, Mr Albanese played a straight bat to questions, reiterating Australia's commitment to the status quo in Taiwan while maintaining support for the US-Australia alliance. "It's important that we have a consistent position, which Australia has had for a long period of time," he told reporters at the headquarters of online booking giant "Our aim of investing in our capability, and as well, investing in our relationships, is about advancing peace and security in our region." Mr Albanese oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding between and Tourism Australia, and previewed an ad campaign to air in China starring local film star Yu Shi and Ruby the Roo, an animated kangaroo voiced by Rose Byrne. China's burgeoning middle class, armed with deep pockets and an appetite for travel, are key to Australia's tourism industry, spending $9.2 billion in the 12 months to March. While China is still Australia's second-largest visiting tourist market, numbers have yet to recover to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. The dramatic economic transformation China has undergone in recent decades was plain to see from Shanghai's historic Bund promenade, where Mr Albanese strolled with ex-Socceroo Kevin Muscat, who now manages Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Port FC. Shanghai's rainy season clouds parted early for the pair on Sunday morning, making way for a suffocating tropical heat that beat down on their discussion of the impact of football in fostering the two countries' interpersonal connections. Looking across the Huangpu River, a forest of newly-built skyscrapers in the Pudong district - surely constructed with no small quantity of Australian iron ore - gleamed in the sunlight. "When I first came here twice in the 1990s, the area Pudong was very different indeed," Mr Albanese said in a meeting with local Chinese Communist Party official Chen Jining."There were farms where there is now a great metropolis."The development we can see across the river is symbolic of the extraordinary development that China has seen in recent decades, lifting literally hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and creating economic benefit both for the people of China, but also increased economic engagement with countries like Australia." Mr Albanese will continue to emphasise the two nations' business and sporting links during his six-day tour of China. A keen tennis player, the prime minister will make an announcement about extending an Australian Open wildcard tournament when he visits the southwest city of Chengdu. Sport built important people-to-people ties, as did business co-operation, Mr Albanese said. "One in four of Australian jobs is dependent on our exports and overwhelmingly, by far the largest destination for Australian exports is right here in China," he said. Rugby league might be his preferred sport, but the prime minister's diplomatic juggling skills were on show as he stood aside a Socceroos legend in Shanghai. Attempts to lure Chinese tourists to Australia and promote the two nations' people-to-people links were overshadowed by questions about Australia's participation in a potential future conflict with the Asian superpower. US defence official Elbridge Colby, who is leading a review into the AUKUS security pact, has been pushing allies such as Australia to clarify what roles they would play in a possible war. News of the suggestion made for an awkward proposition for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday, the first full day of his six-day tour of China. As China's ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian watched on in stony silence, Mr Albanese played a straight bat to questions, reiterating Australia's commitment to the status quo in Taiwan while maintaining support for the US-Australia alliance. "It's important that we have a consistent position, which Australia has had for a long period of time," he told reporters at the headquarters of online booking giant "Our aim of investing in our capability, and as well, investing in our relationships, is about advancing peace and security in our region." Mr Albanese oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding between and Tourism Australia, and previewed an ad campaign to air in China starring local film star Yu Shi and Ruby the Roo, an animated kangaroo voiced by Rose Byrne. China's burgeoning middle class, armed with deep pockets and an appetite for travel, are key to Australia's tourism industry, spending $9.2 billion in the 12 months to March. While China is still Australia's second-largest visiting tourist market, numbers have yet to recover to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. The dramatic economic transformation China has undergone in recent decades was plain to see from Shanghai's historic Bund promenade, where Mr Albanese strolled with ex-Socceroo Kevin Muscat, who now manages Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Port FC. Shanghai's rainy season clouds parted early for the pair on Sunday morning, making way for a suffocating tropical heat that beat down on their discussion of the impact of football in fostering the two countries' interpersonal connections. Looking across the Huangpu River, a forest of newly-built skyscrapers in the Pudong district - surely constructed with no small quantity of Australian iron ore - gleamed in the sunlight. "When I first came here twice in the 1990s, the area Pudong was very different indeed," Mr Albanese said in a meeting with local Chinese Communist Party official Chen Jining."There were farms where there is now a great metropolis."The development we can see across the river is symbolic of the extraordinary development that China has seen in recent decades, lifting literally hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and creating economic benefit both for the people of China, but also increased economic engagement with countries like Australia." Mr Albanese will continue to emphasise the two nations' business and sporting links during his six-day tour of China. A keen tennis player, the prime minister will make an announcement about extending an Australian Open wildcard tournament when he visits the southwest city of Chengdu. Sport built important people-to-people ties, as did business co-operation, Mr Albanese said. "One in four of Australian jobs is dependent on our exports and overwhelmingly, by far the largest destination for Australian exports is right here in China," he said. Rugby league might be his preferred sport, but the prime minister's diplomatic juggling skills were on show as he stood aside a Socceroos legend in Shanghai. Attempts to lure Chinese tourists to Australia and promote the two nations' people-to-people links were overshadowed by questions about Australia's participation in a potential future conflict with the Asian superpower. US defence official Elbridge Colby, who is leading a review into the AUKUS security pact, has been pushing allies such as Australia to clarify what roles they would play in a possible war. News of the suggestion made for an awkward proposition for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday, the first full day of his six-day tour of China. As China's ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian watched on in stony silence, Mr Albanese played a straight bat to questions, reiterating Australia's commitment to the status quo in Taiwan while maintaining support for the US-Australia alliance. "It's important that we have a consistent position, which Australia has had for a long period of time," he told reporters at the headquarters of online booking giant "Our aim of investing in our capability, and as well, investing in our relationships, is about advancing peace and security in our region." Mr Albanese oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding between and Tourism Australia, and previewed an ad campaign to air in China starring local film star Yu Shi and Ruby the Roo, an animated kangaroo voiced by Rose Byrne. China's burgeoning middle class, armed with deep pockets and an appetite for travel, are key to Australia's tourism industry, spending $9.2 billion in the 12 months to March. While China is still Australia's second-largest visiting tourist market, numbers have yet to recover to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. The dramatic economic transformation China has undergone in recent decades was plain to see from Shanghai's historic Bund promenade, where Mr Albanese strolled with ex-Socceroo Kevin Muscat, who now manages Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Port FC. Shanghai's rainy season clouds parted early for the pair on Sunday morning, making way for a suffocating tropical heat that beat down on their discussion of the impact of football in fostering the two countries' interpersonal connections. Looking across the Huangpu River, a forest of newly-built skyscrapers in the Pudong district - surely constructed with no small quantity of Australian iron ore - gleamed in the sunlight. "When I first came here twice in the 1990s, the area Pudong was very different indeed," Mr Albanese said in a meeting with local Chinese Communist Party official Chen Jining."There were farms where there is now a great metropolis."The development we can see across the river is symbolic of the extraordinary development that China has seen in recent decades, lifting literally hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and creating economic benefit both for the people of China, but also increased economic engagement with countries like Australia." Mr Albanese will continue to emphasise the two nations' business and sporting links during his six-day tour of China. A keen tennis player, the prime minister will make an announcement about extending an Australian Open wildcard tournament when he visits the southwest city of Chengdu. Sport built important people-to-people ties, as did business co-operation, Mr Albanese said. "One in four of Australian jobs is dependent on our exports and overwhelmingly, by far the largest destination for Australian exports is right here in China," he said.
