888 founder Aharon Shaked dies at 58

[The Buzz]

Online gambling pioneer Aharon Shaked, who founded online gambling giant 888 with his brother Avi, died over the weekend in Israel at the age of 58 after an illness.

The Shaked brothers founded 888 Holdings in 1997 despite not having any previous experience in the online gambling field.

From Online Casino Reports:

The idea for the company began at a dentistry conference in Monte Carlo in the 1990s, when Shaked noticed the large amounts of people flocking to the city's casino, and on his return to Israel made a decision with his brother to establish an online casino Although neither brother had any previous experience in gambling, the two spent time at casinos in the southern Israeli city of Eilat, where they learnt the trade and picked up the knowledge that would help them create their empire.

The brothers mortgaged their houses in 1995 in order to obtain the funds to establish 888, and the rest is history. The company was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2005, at a time when Aharon and Avi Shaked owned 70 percent of the stocks. They each sold stocks worth $91.3 million and both held on to stocks worth $267 million each.

Aharon Shaked told a British newspaper following the company's listing that his new found wealth would not change his life, vowing that rather than spend it all on fancy restaurants and new cars, he would put the profits toward charities for underprivileged children in Israel.

[CAIAFFILIATES]

Sad as it is, you have to admire the guy. He did well with his life....

[dhayman]

I wasn't aware of this charitable work.....that was great ! This should be floated around to all those who are so opposed to online gambling on morale grounds....

[Anthony]

It is good to see someone who made it big, give back.
Sorry to hear of his death.

[vicon]

My blessings go out to his family. May God be with you.

Too young...

When I started in this industry we started at Tradal with the marketing of 888casino.com. It takes me way back...

Respect.

[Yuval]

Mr. Shaked is the father of online casinos. Dont let anyone tell you different. He wa sthe first with the vision that has actualy executed his plans and dreams.

On a personal level, you should all know that he gave millions of dollars to organizations fighting for peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

Good man.

Best,

Yuval

www.casinos2check.com

[vicon]

Yes indeed, that is also what I have heard. He helped a lot of people and always a listening ear for anyone that needed it...

Some should take an example and learn about how Mr. Shaked helped this world and the gaming industry, and how to act ...

[morri]

It's always sad to hear about dead....

May he RIP....

[hiddenchamp]

My blessings go out to his family.

[bb1web]

I wasn't aware of this charitable work.....

neither was I.

And this was Tradal?

Quite a story. Thanks for the thread.

My respect to those who have remained behind.