As we near the end of the first month of the new season, this edition leads with the great news that Andrew Vouris, who I introduced to you last month, has been confirmed as the permanent CEO for Entain Australia and New Zealand.

Having got to know Andrew over the last two-and-a-half months, I’ve been hugely impressed by his deep knowledge of the wagering sector and his committment to the ‘win, but not at all costs’ culture he is embedding at Entain ANZ.

Andrew brings a clear focus to our business on both sides of the Tasman, and you will see more of him around New Zealand in the coming months. Find out more about his appointment at entaingroup.co.nz.

There’s plenty to get through this month, with more information about the expansion of Minimum Bet Limits (TAB Punters Promise and the betcha Guarantee), TAB Racing Club making its mark on the track, and a new exclusive offering for TAB’s retail customers.

Further to that, we have updates on Daffodil Day this year, the launch of a new book celebrating the New Zealand thoroughbred and the people behind the magnificent equine athletes, a reminder from the equine codes and the Racing Integrity Board, and a team profile on Luke Butterfield, Head of Direct Marketing and Promotions.

You’re very welcome to share or forward this newsletter to anyone in the industry who you think might like to read this. They can sign up to receive the Entain Edition directly by contacting communications@entaingroup.co.nz. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please contact the same address.

When the ‘legislative net’ – stopping offshore operators from accepting bets from New Zealanders – came into effect in late June, the privilege of being the exclusive operators of sports and racing betting was not lost on us.

That’s why earlier this month, we announced expansions to Minimum Bet Limits (MBLs) for customers across our TAB and betcha brands. Under TAB Punters Promise, we have expanded MBL opportunities on New Zealand racing and established Australian racing limits too. We’ve also launched MBLs for key sports across both Punters Promise and the betcha equivalent, ‘betcha Guarantee’.

Minimum Bet Limits (MBLs) mean a punter can bet to win at least a certain amount on a betting option. The voluntary MBLs we announced go above and beyond the limits in other jurisdictions and, in the case of sports, provide a new level of consumer protection in the sports betting industry.

These new and expanded initiatives – alongside our pledge to provide the same fair odds in New Zealand that we have on our brands in the highly competitive Australian betting market – shows our commitment to striking a fair balance between the punter and the operator.

Read more about the announcement at LOVERACING.NZ.

It was a weekend to remember in the middle of this month when the TAB Racing Club had winners in both equine codes. The bumper weekend started when Eun Sogno showed plenty of fight to win on debut at Addington on Friday, 15 August, and in doing so became the Club’s first standardbred runner and winner!

The son of Captain Crunch is out of the former age-grade pacing star One Dream and showed all his mother’s toughness when looming up outside the leader from 800m out. Eun Sogno (which means “one dream” in Italian) was greeted by a big group of TRC members when he returned to the winner’s circle in the hands of driver Carter Dalgety. Big thanks to co-trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety for having Eun Sogno in such great condition for his debut. You can check out the replay at trackside.co.nz by clicking on the ‘Replay’ button next to the race name.

This Friday, Another Collect – who joined the Club from Australia earlier this year – makes his New Zealand debut at Alexandra Park in race 8, while on 5 September, Off The Canvas will head north to Addington from Nathan Williamson’s Southland base after qualifying at Gore on Sunday.

Next week will also see the return of the So You Think filly Transcend, who will start her 3-year-old campaign at Ruakākā next Wednesday.

The first Group 1 thoroughbred race of the New Zealand season next month marks the launch of Terminal Exclusives in our retail network of more than 450 outlets across the country.

Terminal Exclusives offer enhanced odds and exclusive markets on selected Premier race meetings throughout the year. These markets will be available exclusively on our Self-Service Terminals (SSTs), enhancing the in-venue betting experience and reinforcing our commitment to delivering more value to our customers.

‌This product represents TAB’s first retail generosity initiative, giving our customers a great reason to use our new SSTs. By delivering high-value markets, Terminal Exclusives offers customers better odds and exciting new betting opportunities while also benefiting our venues through increased in-venue engagement and turnover.

‌The first Terminal Exclusive will be offered on 6 September during the Proisir Plate raceday at Ellerslie.

Entain has been honoured to partner with the Cancer Society in recent years to support Daffodil Day. The Group 1 Proisir Plate meeting has been traditionally aligned with Daffodil Day, and that will continue this year, with the meeting being held at Ellerslie.

There will be donation collections on-course, and an abundance of Daffodil Day presence around Ellerslie on the day. A jockey in each race on the card will wear the Cancer Society Daffodil Day silks, and if they win, Entain will donate $2000 per winner, with that amount increasing to $5000 if the jockey of the Proisir Plate winner is wearing the Daffodil Day silks.

To donate to an organisation that does so much to help Kiwis with cancer, please visit daffodilday.org.nz.

In late July, the grounds of Cambridge Stud set the scene for the launch of The Horsemakers, a new book celebrating the people and stories behind New Zealand’s proud thoroughbred breeding history. The event was held in support of the CatWalk Trust and its patron, Olympic equestrian and British royal Zara Tindall, joined guests for the special occasion.

Friends and supporters from across the racing industry gathered, including Minister for Racing Rt Hon Winston Peters, Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, and CatWalk founder Dame Catriona Williams. It was a day of connection, storytelling and shared passion for horses, with the backdrop of one of New Zealand’s most iconic studs adding to the magic.

Entain is very proud to support the Catwalk Trust and the printing of The Horsemakers, with all proceeds from book sales going directly to the Trust to further their crucial advances in spinal cord injury research.

The book will be available from November. Take a moment to watch the short video below to catch a glimpse of this wonderful celebration.

The two equine codes and the Racing Integrity Board recently shared a reminder around persistent negative behaviour from a small minority of people, and the commitment the three organisations have in place to follow up and take action when appropriate.

We welcome any heightened awareness around this type of behaviour within the racing and betting industry. Sadly, some of our Entain team are not immune from online criticism or harassment, particularly our broadcasters whose roles, by their very nature, are in the public realm.

We have support networks in place for our presenters and commentators, but the level of scrutiny they can be placed under can be, at times, relentless, intense and hurtful.

At Entain, we take a zero-tolerance stance to such behaviour and we will work alongside the codes and the RIB to raise any instances of negative behaviour directed at our team members.

Racing has been part of my life since childhood, often attending events with family at Trentham and Tauherenikau. Over 10 years ago, I seized the chance to turn passion into career by joining the TAB. My personal sporting passion lies in American Football, highlighted by celebrating my 40th birthday last year in the U.S. with mates attending college and NFL games, an unforgettable experience.

What excites you about the strategic partnership?

The partnership offers immense growth potential across the industry. In my world of Direct Marketing and Promotions, enhanced access to knowledge, resources, and technology through Entain has rapidly elevated our offering. This has accelerated our ability to deliver richer customer experiences at a pace otherwise unattainable. The benefits are already evident in racing, with product growth expanding significantly over the last two years.

The race event I’m most looking forward to?

October 18, what is often referred to as “Super Saturday.” It’s racing at its absolute best, with the Livamol, Everest, and Caulfield Cup all on the same day across both sides of the Tasman. The quality, excitement, and scale of these races together make it a standout highlight of the year, simply unmissable for any racing fan.