Sounds like this could turn into the proverbial pissing contest.

A bit outdated but still a good read from Richard Callender

Grab the popcorn punters: This will be a show worth watching

By Richard Callander
03:43pm • 01 June 2021

19

Comments

In the past 15 or so years there haven’t been two smarter people in the wagering space than Matt Tripp and Dean Shannon and both are circling the wagering and media arm of Tabcorp.

GETTING HOT UNDER THE COLLAR

Will Tripp stay on his feet or will Shannon be the last man standing?

Many are saying Tripp won’t stumble as he now has two irons in the fire.

Will Tabcorp sell and if so who of the two will be the victor, or is there a left field suitor?

We are a nation of punters and it seems Tripp and Shannon have unlocked the key to attracting customers and appealing to the punting public while making millions upon millions of dollars in doing so.

Tripp bought Sportsbet around 2005 turning it into a mammoth business before selling out for close to $400 million.

Then he did it all again buying BetEzy before selling a majority stake to Crown Resorts then buying William Hill (Australia) and selling out to Flutter Entertainment which is Sportsbet.

Dean Shannon burst onto the scene with Bookmaker.com.au before selling to Ladbrokes in 2013.

He then joined them as the boss before departing to set up NEDS.

Incredibly he then sold NEDS to Ladbrokes.

It wasn’t long before GVC Holdings which is now Entain woke up and Shannon was back in the chair as its Australian boss.

Tabcorp shareholders want the company to split its lotteries business that is low flying from the lesser performing wagering and media business.

Suitors have been circling low and hard.

Racing NSW holds the keys to the city due to its 99-year deal with the TAB and the current NSW legislation that only allows a single shareholder to own up to 10 percent of the TAB.

The tip around town is Tripp and Shannon have spent more time at Racing NSW offices than their own in recent times and the phone calls have been even more frequent as the possible sale of Tabcorp wagering and media looms closer.

Tripp launched a $4 billion takeover for Tabcorp’s wagering and media business with BetMakers on Friday.

Now let’s talk about Tripp’s other iron in the fire.

Tripp has been linked with News Corp Australia’s quiet approach and plays for the wagering business of Tabcorp with its new brand FOX Bet.

It’s no surprise Murdoch would single out Tripp to join forces.

With Tripp’s nous and the power and reach of News Corp, the pair could shake up the Australian betting and the world betting landscape.

One thing is for sure it’s interesting times ahead and it’s no surprise the man right in the middle of it all with plenty of power is the boss of NSW Racing Peter V’landys.

V’landys is close with the big bosses at Tabcorp, but not one to burn a bridge of power he is on very good terms with all the players.