At the recent Asian Racing Conference in Sapporo, Japan, the World Tote Association (WoTA) held its General Meeting, where the Board established a forward-looking agenda with key objectives aimed at strengthening global betting pools and supporting the horseracing industry. The focus areas include:
- Expanding national and global commingling to bolster horseracing industries.
- Growing pari-mutuel pool betting by incorporating new markets and sports content.
- Addressing the challenges posed by illegal wagering.
- Promoting diversity and inclusion to drive growth in the pool betting sector.
During the meeting, WoTA members elected a new Board to guide the Association’s activities for the next two years. Fundi Sithebe, CEO of 4Racing in South Africa, and Keith Johnson, President of 1/ST TECHNOLOGY group/AmTote, have been appointed as Co-Chairs. Riko Luiking, General Manager of German Tote, will serve as Treasurer.
Sithebe and Johnson succeed Alex Frost, CEO of UK Tote Group, and Hans Lord Skarploth, CEO of ATG in Sweden, who co-chaired the Association since October 2022. Under their leadership, WoTA made significant progress in commingling efforts and introduced a new sports pool project.
The newly elected Board will prioritize these objectives to further pool betting’s growth and enhance its contribution to horseracing, working closely with stakeholders, regulators, and society.
Additionally, WoTA is pleased to welcome the Jockey Club of Turkey and Zeturf Group as new full members of the Association.
Biography of the WoTA Co-Chairs for 2025-26
Fundi Sithebe, CEO of 4Racing:
Fundi Sithebe leads 4Racing, South Africa’s largest horseracing operator, responsible for horseracing operations, totalisator betting, and broadcast operations. She plays a crucial role in stabilizing and growing the business, focusing on inclusivity and modernizing the industry. Sithebe is a strong advocate for female representation and has been involved in various initiatives promoting gender equality in both aviation and horseracing.
Keith Johnson, President of 1/ST TECHNOLOGY group/AmTote:
With over 30 years of experience, Keith Johnson has risen through the ranks at AmTote and now oversees 1/ST TECHNOLOGY group, which includes AmTote, PariMAX, Xpressbet, and other business units. His extensive background in racing and wagering positions him as a key figure in the continued advancement of pool betting technology and solutions.
This leadership transition marks an exciting chapter for WoTA as it continues to support the global horseracing and betting industries.
On taking over as Co-Chairs, Fundi Sithebe and Keith Johnson said: “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.”
