The World Tote Association (WoTA) has detailed the objectives of its newly chosen board, as the association seeks to continue contributing to a global strategy for horse racing.
Announced at the Asian Racing Conference in Sapporo, Japan, WoTA’s Board for the 2025/26 cycle has been changed. Co Chair duties will be held by Fundi Sithebe, CEO of 4Racing, and Keith Johnson, President of 1/ST Technology.
The duo are respective c-level executives for horse racing technology and content firms, with 1/ST operating globally whilst 4Racing focuses more on the South African racing scene, where it is a prominent local stakeholder.
They take over the co-chair role from Alex Frost, CEO of the UK Tote Group, and Hans Lord Skarploth, CEO of ATG in Sweden, who have filled the position since 2022. An additional senior appointment saw Riko Luiking, General Manager of German Tote, become WoTA’s Treasurer.
A joint statement issued by Sithebe and Johnson read: “We are delighted to be taking over as Co-Chairs of the World Tote Association. Over the last five years WoTA has made significant progress in developing the relationship between members and increasing understanding of the role pool betting plays in supporting horseracing around the globe.
“We thank Alex and Hasse for their excellent stewardship, and the entire WoTA Board for their efforts, and we look forward to working with all stakeholders to further our collective ambitions for the good of horseracing and society as a whole.”
WoTA’s new leadership has been tasked with a general objective of continuing the growth of pool betting and making an increased contribution to those racing. Leadership is also tasked with ensuring a positive relationship is developed with customers, governments, regulators, and society at large.
More specific objectives include creating stronger national and global betting pools, particularly via commingling. The group hopes to expand the pari-mutuel pool betting in new markets and sporting events, and address illegal wagering. Its final objective concerns diversity and inclusion to further grow within pool betting.
Horse racing has faced a challenging few years across a number of markets. The COVID-19 pandemic in particular hit the sport’s coffers hard due to spectators being excluded from events and subsequently on-track revenue being denied.
Engagement has also been a difficult area, with racetracks in key markets like the UK struggling to retain customers in large numbers. The popularity of other sports as betting markets, looking to the UK again for an example where football overtook horse racing as the most bet-on sport in 2019, has also contributed to racing’s difficulties.
Boosting racing’s engagement with new audiences and its global appeal has been at the forefront of WoTA’s approach, whilst its member organisations have also been experimenting with new bet and product types.
