Fourth generation bookmaker, Tom Waterhouse, was born in 1982 on June 11th in Sydney, Australia. His great grandfather was one of Australia’s first ever official bookmakers and his two grandfathers were major players in the horse racing industry. His mother is also a world famous horse trainer.
Tom Waterhouse intended to work in finance after studying for a bachelor in Commerce and Liberal Studies where he would major in finance and marketing.
Six months into his degree, he began working with his father at Rosehill racecourse which he thoroughly enjoyed and thus obtained his bookmaking license. By 2008 he was one of the biggest on-track bookmakers in Australia where he held more than AUS$ 20 million over the four day Melbourne Cup Carnival. This was far more than any of the other bookmakers combined.
This too was contrary to the fact that he admits to immensely disliking horse racing while growing up. He has said that it was the only topic at the dinner table and did not enjoy his weekends helping his mother at the stables.
Tom Waterhouse’s Online Betting Business
Tom Waterhouse has an online sports betting and horse racing business named after himself which is ultimately owned by a network of businesses run by himself, his father Robbie Waterhouse and his father’s sister.
His business is one of the largest corporate bookmakers in Australia and has offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Darwin. His client list is said to include 100 bettors of extremely high net-worth who bet a minimum of AUS$ 1 000. It provides bettors with full coverage of NRL, AFL, horse racing, harness racing, greyhound racing and best NBA bets. All of Australia’s top racing events are covered.
In 2013, William Hill Australia acquired the Waterhouse brand and Tom Waterhouse himself became CEO. He received much controversy from the Australian public after claims of a huge presence of advertising of his sports betting business which was said to be targeted at children. He denied all claims and agreed to cut back on advertising.
Tom Waterhouse’s Claim to Fame
Tom Waterhouse was added to Smart Company’s Hot under 30 in 2012 which is for entrepreneurs 30 or lower than the age of 30. His business ranked 19th in 2012 in Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Australia.
Tom Waterhouse was one of the contestants on the reality television show, Dancing with the Stars, back in 2006. He was however the second contestant to be voted off the show.
Tom Waterhouse is a major contributor to, and a regular on, a variety of sports related television shows and radio shows. He is also regularly featured in newspapers and magazines.
He is a co-host on both Sky Business’s Sportsline and TVN’s Two Cups and a Plate which is a horse racing based show. During autumn and spring, Waterhouse features as a Friday morning guest on 2GB with Alan Jones, he was a feature during the 2011 Rugby World Cup and appeared on the Wide World of Sports as well as during coverage of the Wallabies.
He has also been a regular feature during the Wimbledon coverage on Channel Seven and TVN’s Ascot.
