Tom Aronson is President and founder of Racing Resource Group, Inc. (RRG), a professional services enterprise established in 1989 to address business development opportunities in racing, gaming and equestrian sports. The company’s wide variety of engagements over three decades form the foundation of what is now a comprehensive, practical knowledge of the industry and its operational, financial and promotional demands. Experience includes executive-level management; start-up organization, operation and funding; new product development and marketing; analysis and demographics of gaming and racing; studies and reports including business feasibility and projections; game/wager design and patenting; and direct involvements with federal and state elected officials, regulatory agencies, financial institutions, and technology companies.
While maintaining his active role as President and Founder of RRG throughout, Tom Aronson has periodically stepped out of that role to help organize and guide new companies through early-stage organization, funding and launch, including most notably two of the most successful enterprises in the history of racing and gaming: the Television Games Network (TVG) and, most recently, Exacta Systems.
ODDS-R / Predictive Sports Science, LLC (2020 – Present). As Chief Operating Officer, helping to organize, design, fund and launch the new app ODDS-R® in the rapidly growing U.S. sports betting arena. ODDS-R® is targeted to be a game-changer in analytics that help players maximize their sports betting experience and profitability.
Exacta Systems (2013-2020). As Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, helped develop, launch and operate this remarkable start-up in the Historic Horse Racing (HHR) electronic gaming marketplace. Within 22 months of its introduction in April 2015, Exacta surpassed the $1 billion mark in wagering on its games, a remarkable achievement, and the company now expects to exceed $5 billion in wagering in calendar year 2022 and beyond. Exacta’s creative games and extraordinary market uptake have staked out much-needed new territory for horse racing in the highly competitive wagering entertainment business.
University of Louisville College of Business (2011-2013). Faculty member specializing in entrepreneurship, networking, business capitalization processes and enterprise building. UofL’s College of Business is an award-winning, top-ranked school for management and entrepreneurship programming.
Churchill Downs Incorporated (2007-2009). Corporate Vice President of Programming and Product Development for the publicly-traded company that operates casinos and major race tracks including legendary home of the Kentucky Derby. Conceptualized and managed testing and introduction of new games, pools, formats and processes.
Three Value Logic LLC (2003-2007). Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer of the Boulder, CO-based management and sales optimization company specializing in implementation and instruction of “best-of-breed” selling constructs and practices. Clients included young technology companies exiting the development phase and entering the competitive open marketplace.
Television Games Network / TVG (1994-2003). One of the original business architects (as Senior Vice President of Business Development in Boulder, CO) for TVG, a pioneering national television and online sports network. Played a vital role in originating, developing and executing the business plan and related strategies that enabled a successful launch at a time when the sport of horse racing had little national television presence and virtually no internal capacity to fund and execute on such an ambitious undertaking. TVG was the undisputed catalyst and leader in racing’s move into the account (home) wagering era, a business that now generates more than $4 billion in annual betting. Key involvements included negotiating the core contractual agreements to secure exclusive content commitments and developing the economic revenue-sharing structure that formed the basis of account wagering expansion as well as TVG’s industry relationships, commitments and business success. Named on numerous patents associated with online wagering, account management and navigation.
American Horse Council (1981–1989). Director of Legislative Affairs and Executive Secretary of Racing for the horse industry’s Washington, D.C. representative. Direct experience in legislative/regulatory implementations and analyses included the Interstate Horse Racing Act and Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, national economic impact and horse census studies, and comprehensive industry policy development and representation on tax legislation affecting race tracks and horse owners, breeders and trainers.
Harness Tracks of America (1977-1981). Executive assistant at the well-known and respected trade association created by Stan Bergstein, one of the most dynamic business and entertainment personalities in U.S. racing history. Authored a wide variety of business analyses along with the organization’s weekly newsletter.
Harvard University. 1977 graduate, B.A. History (Magna Cum Laude)