Celebrating 2024’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Gaming, Africa: Gail Petrie

Gail Petrie, the visionary Founder and former CEO of Turfsport, has been steering her company with an unorthodox yet highly effective approach for over 35 years.

A graduate from the University of Cape Town with a BSc in Computer Science, Gail was initially drawn to the sports betting industry not by a penchant for gambling, but by a fascination with the risk management aspects it entails. Her journey in this niche began as a programmer, applying her IT skills to navigate the complex landscape of betting.

After earning her MBA in 2002, Gail’s profound interest in human dynamics influenced her leadership style, gradually transforming Turfsport from a modest team of four into a robust, flat-structured organization of 50 professionals.

Today, these experts are deeply engaged in refining IT architecture and design, a field where Gail remains heavily involved. Despite her extensive experience, she is candid about the continuous learning she gains from her team, highlighting a leadership style that values mutual growth and knowledge sharing.

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Beyond her business endeavors, Gail has been passionately involved in addressing educational challenges in South Africa and has served as the Chairperson of the Norkitt Education Learner Initiative (NELI), focusing on improving school leadership and governance. Her commitment to this cause reflects her broader vision of societal improvement through education and technology.

Gail’s insights into the critical role of wagering software for bookmakers, backed by Turfsport’s three decades of regional experience, underscore her deep understanding of the industry’s needs. Under her leadership, Turfsport specializes in Information Technology and Services, Gaming, Application Software, and Online Gambling, with its headquarters nestled in Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA.

Gail Petrie continues to be a pivotal figure in both the technological and educational landscapes, driving change and innovation through her dual passions for IT and community development.

2024 Most Influential Women in Gaming, Africa as Brought to you by iGaming AFRIKA in partnership with Women in Gaming, The African Chapter