ClubsNSW, the lobby group representing the interests of clubs across the Australian state of New South Wales, has announced former Tabcorp and The Star Sydney executive Rebecca Riant as its new CEO.
Riant, who will take on the role from 24 July 2023, replaces former ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis who was fired in February after publicly accusing then-NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet of being motivated to introduce mandatory cashless gaming technology to the state’s poker machines by his Catholic faith.
According to information included in a ClubsNSW statement, Riant brings extensive experience as an executive both in the banking industry for Westpac and the Commonwealth Bank but also in gaming. She was, it said, Tabcorp’s Executive General Manager for Sustainability, Markets and Customer Experience Delivery for two years before becoming COO of Wagering and Media.
In September 2022 she joined The Star Sydney as Chief Controls and Enablement Officer (NSW) and progressed to Chief Controls Officer for the entire Star Entertainment Group in January.
“Rebecca brings over 30 years of experience in banking, strategy formulation and execution, regulatory liaison, and transformational change to our Association and the broader club industry,” said ClubsNSW chairman, Dr George Peponis.
“The Board and I are looking forward to working with Rebecca to guide the industry through these challenging times and onward into a sustainable future, where we will continue to support and care for our communities.”
Peponis said Riant is “well acquainted” with the complex regulatory and operational environments in which NSW clubs operate.
Her arrival comes at critical time for the industry, with the NSW government having announced last week that it will lower the cash-in limit for all poker machines in NSW pubs and clubs to AU$500, down from its current limit of AU$5,000.