Departed Racing Queensland boss Jason Scott has been appointed as chief executive of The Booki Group, the company behind bookmaker PonyBet, which has ambitions to launch a host of other brands over the next 18 months.
Scott, who resigned in January, officially finished up at Racing Queensland last week, although Lachlan Murray has been working as interim RQ CEO since mid-February, with Scott seconded elsewhere.
Scott offered a typically cheeky farewell on LinkedIn last week, giving an indication he was moving to a role with TBG’s Brian Trevitt, who has formed a partnership with BetMakers.
“After a longer farewell tour than Johnny Farnham the six months’ notice I gave Racing Queensland finished on Tuesday,” Scott said last week.
“When I was still in America and took the role many of you expressed your surprise and suggested perhaps my shoot from the hip, blunt style wasn’t particularly well suited to a statutory body. “What’s next? I’m heading back to wagering working with Todd (Buckingham – BetMakers) and Brian,” he concluded.
BetMakers confirmed this week that it had entered a partnership with The Booki Group after Scott began his new role.
“The early success of PonyBet on the Apollo platform has been fantastic to see and a great endorsement of the BetMakers solution,” said Martin Tripp, Chief Operating Officer at BetMakers Technology Group.
“We’re excited to partner closely with Jason, Brian and the TBG team as they execute on their vision for a dynamic, multi-brand wagering business.”
Scott said the opportunity to work with BetMakers to help scale TBS’s business was a significant one.
“I’ve been incredibly impressed with the Apollo platform and the team behind it,” he said. “The technology gives us the flexibility to move fast and innovate, and I’m excited to work with BetMakers to deliver unique and engaging products that modern punters are looking for.”
TBG, which describes itself as “a next-generation wagering business focused on personalisation and engagement across multiple betting brands” has plans to launch several new betting brands throughout 2025 and 2026.
Bren O’Brien
“With Scott at the helm and BetMakers providing the technology backbone, the group is well-positioned to deliver differentiated products to market at speed and scale,” a joint statement said.
Referring back to his time at RQ, Scott said that while his tenure was relatively short, he had gained a stronger set of relationships and understanding of racing’s opportunities and challenges.
“I’m not sure if the naysayers were right or wrong but my respect for long-term Racing leaders such as Aaron Morrison, Rob Rorrison and Peter V’landys who have fought the good battle for decades with governments who frankly see racing as a necessary evil is immense,” he said on LinkedIn.
“What I do know is the racing model brings together all parts of the community, primarily incredible people doing fantastic work, many potential incredible people who are so conflicted with personal goals they have long lost their way and a minute number of just people.
“I loved every minute of it, but I’ve loved leaving even more. The amazing people at RQ, participants and clubland are too numerous to name.
“The one person I will single out is Lachlan. Mate, I wish you all the best going forward as CEO and I’ll be cheering for you and the team from the sidelines.”
