Incoming Tabcorp chief executive Gillon McLachlan says the future of the gambling giant relies on using its extensive retail network to grow its online business, which has struggled to compete against international bookies Sportsbet and Entain.

Mr McLachlan said the challenge of finding ways to grow Tabcorp in a difficult environment made the job an appealing one. It is his first appointment since leaving the AFL, which he ran as its chief executive for almost a decade until last year.