by Renee Israel
In 1997, when most people could not even spell the internet, Israeli
entrepreneur Aharon Shaked saw the future which is why he co-founded an
online gambling firm with his brother Avi and two other brothers, which would
evolve into the huge 888 Holdings. Aharon passed away on Saturday aged
58.
As one of the true pioneers of the online gambling world, Shaked and his
associates had a vision about how the internet could be used to bring casino
games to people in their homes with just a few mouse clicks. That was the basic
premise then and still is now as 888 Holdings continues to grow in leaps and
bounds.
The firm Aharon co-founded was called Virtual Holdings Limited, which developed
and launched popular online casino, Casino-on-Net, which is still in operation
today. In 2002, the company launched Reef Club Casino as well as its first
online poker room, Pacific Poker, both also still popular websites today.
In 2003 Virtual Holdings Limited relocated from Israel to the online
gambling-friendly jurisdiction of Gibraltar and two years later was listed on
the London Stock Exchange, now known as 888 Holdings Plc. It was at that point
that Aharon and Avi Shaked made their fortunes, each becoming instant
billionaires.
However, according to reports Aharon was not changed by his new found wealth. In
fact, there are accounts that he donated a lot of his money to charities and
other worthy causes. As to what caused his death at such a relatively young age,
he had reportedly been fighting a long battle with an undisclosed illness.
Since its humble beginnings last century, 888 Holdings has evolved into an
online gambling powerhouse. And while its original brands still attract players
from all over the world, it now also offers online bingo via its
state-of-the-art 888ladies.com site as well as online sports betting via its
888sport.com site.
In 2008 888 Holdings generated $256.9 million in online gambling revenues.
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