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Christian Stuart Named BetMakers North America CEO

BetMakers Technology Group Ltd has named Christian Stuart its Chief Executive Officer of North America. Stuart has previously held multiple executive leadership positions with Caesars Entertainment Inc., the largest gaming company in the U.S.

“We have been investing heavily in the U.S. market for the past three years while at the same time building up a U.S.-focused management team,” said Todd Buckingham, BetMakers' Group CEO and Managing Director. “As a next milestone in these efforts, I am excited that Christian is joining the BetMakers leadership team as CEO of North America, given his vast leadership experience in the U.S. gaming industry. North America is a critical market for our company with its potential for significant growth on the back of the widespread U.S. sports betting expansion and the potential growth of fixed odds wagering.”

Based in Australia, BetMakers provides critical solutions in technology, data, and development to the global racing and wagering industry, spanning both fixed odds and pari-mutuel markets. According to BetMakers, Stuart has leadership and gaming experience in both domestic and international markets. He has been involved with developing gaming strategies, executive operations management, facilitating large scale mergers and acquisitions, and building online gaming and sports betting divisions.

“I am excited about the opportunities that lay ahead for BetMakers both in the U.S. and globally,” said Stuart. “BetMakers' suite of innovative products and existing U.S. management team has created an opportunity for the company to quickly expand across the U.S. I look forward to joining the team, exceeding the goals of existing partners, and positively impacting the future of the U.S. racing industry.”

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Congressman Rooney Named NTRA President & CEO

Thomas J. (Tom) Rooney, a former U.S. Congressman, has been named to succeed Alex Waldrop as the president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). As has been previously announced, Waldrop will retire at the end of this year.

Rooney is an owner and breeder and has been part of his family's Shamrock Farm, a Thoroughbred breeding and lay-up operation in Maryland. The farm was founded by his grandfather, Art Rooney, Sr. He has also served on the board of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association for the past year. The Rooney family has been the majority owners and operators of the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers since 1933. Rooney family members also own the Palm Beach Kennel Club in Florida, owned Yonkers Raceway in New York until 2019, and owned former racetracks Green Mountain in Vermont and Liberty Bell in Pennsylvania.

“It is a great privilege for me to join the NTRA and serve as the organization's next leader,” said Rooney. “Having been immersed in horse racing my entire life, I know the issues and have a solid understanding of the needs of the industry. Coupled with my 10 years serving as a member of Congress, I know how to get things done in Washington, D.C. and look forward to increasing our advocacy efforts with our nation's lawmakers. I'm excited to join the team and look forward to working with all our member organizations to move our agenda forward.”

Rooney served with the U.S. Army as a lawyer in the JAG Corps. During his tenure, he was Special Assistant U.S. Attorney at Fort Hood, Texas, prosecuting all civilian crimes on post, and he served in the 1st Cavalry Division. After completing active duty with the rank of captain, Rooney taught constitutional and criminal law at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

“On behalf of the NTRA Board, I am excited to confirm Tom Rooney's appointment as the next president and CEO of the NTRA,” said Alan Foreman, Chairman and CEO of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (THA) and the NTRA Board member who led the NTRA's transition and search committee. “We are incredibly fortunate to have engaged such a talented and experienced individual as Tom as we position the NTRA to address the challenges facing our industry. I believe Tom's taking on this position will be a game-changer for the NTRA and the Thoroughbred racing industry. Tom's track record of experience and leadership will be invaluable as we move forward and as we expand our presence and advocacy on the federal level.”

In conjunction with Rooney's appointment, the NTRA will conduct a strategic review of the organization and its activities as it places additional focus on its role as the trade association for the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. The NTRA plans to open an office in Washington, D.C., where it will focus primarily on federal legislative and policy issues. As part of his appointment, Rooney will also become President of Horse PAC, the NTRA's political action committee.

As a Congressman, Rooney focused on economic, agricultural, national security, and military issues. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida from 2009 to 2019. He served on the Committee on Agriculture, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence where he played a prominent role in the House Intelligence Committee's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Rooney lives in Florida with his wife, Tara, and three sons.

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Woodbine’s Jim Lawson To Be Inducted Into Burlington Sports Hall Of Fame

Woodbine Entertainment proudly congratulates Jim Lawson on his induction into the Burlington Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2021.

Lawson is being inducted as an athlete and builder due to his immense contributions to hockey, football and horse racing, alongside Sean Foley (builder, golf), Carol Angela Orchard (builder, gymnastics), Dr. John Kendall (athlete/ builder, running), and Don Lovegrove (builder, media).

In addition to his current role as Chief Executive Officer for Woodbine Entertainment, Lawson has been heavily involved in sports his entire life as both an athlete and executive.

As a hockey player who grew up in Burlington, Ontario and graduated Aldershot High School, Lawson played 'AAA' midget hockey and was drafted by the Ottawa 67's before receiving a scholarship offer to play at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Lawson was then drafted by the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens and played for the Nova Scotia Voyageurs of the American Hockey League.

Following his playing career, Lawson began practicing law and quickly started his calling as a builder in Canadian sports. This eventually led to his appointment in 2013 as the first independent Chair of the Canadian Football League's Board of Governors, where he held the position for seven years and served as Interim Commissioner twice. In 2019, Lawson was awarded the CFL's prestigious Commissioner's Award which is presented to an individual who has demonstrated dedication and made a significant contribution to Canadian Football.

“Jim is a great example of someone who has become a better person and a great leader through the lessons he learned as a talented athlete,” said Bob Young, the long-time owner and caretaker of the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats. “In turn he has been able to make remarkable contributions through Canadian Football, the Horse racing industry, and a myriad of other projects that have made Burlington, Ontario, and Canada a better place. Thank you Jim.”

In 2012, Lawson was appointed as Chair of Woodbine Entertainment's Board of Directors, before being named CEO in 2015, a position he still holds today.

“If there is anybody who deserves this recognition, it's Jim. He's always been so gracious with his time, and an amazing contributor to both Canadian sport and the communities in which its played,” said John Fielding, who sat on Woodbine Entertainment's Board of Directors for 17 years. “The contributions he's made to the horse racing industry are unparalleled, he's just done an amazing job leading Woodbine and the sport of horse racing in Ontario.”

The Burlington Sports Hall of Fame Induction ceremony will be celebrated with a reception on Tuesday, October 26th at the Burlington Golf & Country Club. Tickets are $60 per person. For more information, please contact Wayne Heslop at wayne.heslop@cogeco.ca.

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Paul Williams Named 1/ST Technology’s CEO

Officials at 1/ST announced Friday that Paul Williams, who has been with The Stronach Group since 2018 as Chief Technology Officer, has been appointed to the dual roles of 1/ST TECHNOLOGY’s Chief Executive Officer and 1/ST’s Chief Technology Officer. Williams will work directly with 1/ST RACING and 1/ST CONTENT to amplify the company’s programs. He will lead the consolidation of 1/ST’s digital businesses to drive revenue for AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, and others. In addition, Williams will also continue to build on the internal and external IT infrastructure that is currently in place at 1/ST.

“As we look to the future of Thoroughbred horse racing and to gaming in general, the opportunities for expansion and innovation are endless,” said Williams. “By structuring the 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, 1/ST RACING, and 1/ST CONTENT businesses as congruent brands, we will be able to offer our customers world-class racing and gaming products that reflect the new era in our sport.”

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