The future of greyhound racing and its long-term sustainability is dependent on a strong presence in the wagering market and today, Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) announced Stuart Laing as its new General Manager – Wagering Partners, to foster this growth and ensure the prosperity of the sport.

The newly created executive role was identified as an area of vital importance to the business throughout the planning process for GRV’s five-year Strategic Plan ‘On Track for a Great Future’.

The role will oversee all of GRV’s wagering operations, working closely with key industry and Joint Venture partner TABCORP, as well as developing relationships with other Wagering Services Providers (WSP’s) to optimise greyhound racing’s wagering product, leading to better returns to the industry.

Stuart joins GRV with a long and distinguished career with Racing Victoria Limited, most recently as General Manager – Commercial Operations and also as General Manager – Marketing and Development. Stuart has also worked with Country Racing Victoria and various racing clubs, developing his broad experience over more than 30 years in the racing, wagering and entertainment industries.

Stuart has been involved in the development of various growth strategies including wagering maximisation projects both nationally and internationally as well as the co-ordination of major media partnerships with the Herald Sun, RSN, SEN and SKY Racing (International) and significant involvement in race-fields arrangements with WSP’s to the benefit of racing.

Speaking of the appointment, GRV Chief Executive Adam Wallish commented that this particular role is a first for the organisation and was identified as one of the significant areas of opportunity for the growth of the sport.

“This role is one of the most important at GRV with the wagering landscape constantly changing, we need to be nimble, we need to be professional and we need to be talking to all the right people to ensure the growth of GRV’s wagering footprint,” Mr Wallish said.

“Stuart will be a valuable appointment for us due to his deep knowledge and multi-faceted experience in all areas of the racing industry.

“He will work very closely with our Joint Venture partner TABCORP and will also develop relationships with various Wagering Service Providers to benefit the sport of Victorian greyhound racing.”

Laing said he was attracted to the role because of the immense potential for growth and the opportunity to apply his knowledge and experience to this new challenge.

“Greyhound Racing in Victoria has been able to achieve impressive growth over the past few years which has been against the general trend in wagering on racing in Australia,” Mr Laing said.

“Engaging more directly with wagering operators, in particular GRV’s wagering joint venture partner TABCORP, will be critical in achieving further growth for greyhound racing. The wagering operators have a direct relationship with racing’s customers and a unique understanding of the customer’s preferences and how they respond to changes in product and promotion.

“I am looking forward to getting to know the passionate people involved in greyhound racing and working with them to continue to develop and grow the sport.”

One of Stuart’s first tasks will be to enhance his understanding of greyhound racing’s position in the wagering landscape that will inform various commercial and operational strategies to benefit the industry into the future.

Stuart will begin his tenure at GRV on Monday 14 July.