How Aaron and Avi Shaked became pioneers of the gambling industry

Today, the iGaming industry is shaping the future of online entertainment and betting, with more people engaging in gambling activities than ever before. However, this would not be possible without the vision and input of pioneers like Aaron and Avi Shaked. With this in mind, let’s profile how exactly these figures became pioneers of the gambling industry.

The Evolution of iGaming

In 2025, iGaming is a globally successful market with a wide range of digital gambling activities that attract millions of individuals worldwide. Players can choose from sports betting, lottery activities and casino games like poker, slots and blackjack. The boom in iGaming can be explained by the rise in convenience and ease. For example, the development of online gambling platforms and mobile betting apps has made gambling increasingly accessible to consumers. This means that people no longer have to travel long distances to a land-based casino and can play casino games at the touch of a button. Amid the digital boom, the iGaming sector’s expansion owes much to the efforts made by innovative thinkers such as Aaron and Avi Shaked, whose early work likely helped 888casino biggest iGaming brands on the planet today.

The Rise of Aaron and Avi Shaked

Aaron and Avi Shaked are known for driving growth in the iGaming sector by co-founding 888 Holdings. Aaron Shaked is a leading figure of the online gambling movement. Although he trained as a dentist, this gave him a methodical mindset that would help him launch a global iGaming business. He is said to have pioneered the online casino concept after the idea came to him while at a dentists’ conference in a Monte Carlo casino. In that moment, he reportedly pictured a digital platform where people could enjoy casino games without the hassle of travelling to brick-and-mortar casinos, sparking an idea that transformed into 888 Holdings.

Born in the 1960s, Avi Shaked is probably the most famous one of the founders of 888 Holdings due to the fact he has been involved with politics. Earning a degree in computer science, he worked in a telecommunications company and construction. Like Aaron, Avi recognised the potential of the internet in the 1990s and agreed with his brother that there was a gap in the market. Although Aaron was credited for coming up with original idea and pitching it to his brother, Avi is often referred to as the main founder of 888 Holdings because he became the backbone of the company, driving the business strategy, managing operations, liaising with investors and setting long-term goals for the company.

In 1997, the Shaked brothers teamed up with siblings Ron and Shay Ben-Yitzhak to launch Virtual Holdings Limited. Their flagship product was Casino-on-Net and is regarded as one of the first online casinos ever created. The company later became 888 Holdings, with the casino title becoming 888casino. Starting in Antigua, 888 Holdings moved to Gibraltar in 2003 and by 2005, it was listed on the London Stock Exchange, before acquiring William Hill’s European operations in 2022. They are now a trusted provider in countries all over the world. According to independent review site Casino.org, 888casino is currently rated as one of the best-paying casinos in Canada. Casino.org ranks online casinos, including which games pay the most, based on verified data, including real win rate statistics. Some of the top platforms listed, including 888casino, feature payout percentages of over 97%, which helps to ensure repeat custom.

The Struggles of Aaron and Avi Shaked

The Shaked brothers faced several hurdles on their path to success that needed to be addressed to remain successful in the competitive iGaming landscape. As both brothers had no direct experience in gambling, they could’ve produced flawed games that resulted in financial losses and a damaged reputation. Instead of letting their ego get in the way, they acknowledged their lack of experience and collaborated closely with the Ben-Yitzhak brothers, who had hands-on knowledge of how casino games operate, to design successful games.

Beyond their lack of personal experience, they also came across legal and technical hurdles. At the time, there was a sense of public skepticism around the idea of online gambling as people worried about their financial and personal information being stolen. The Shaked brothers knew earning users trust was essential, so they implemented robust security systems, provided clear rules, prominently displayed their licensing to establish credibility and offered brilliant customer service. After a while, people began to trust the platform and refer it to other people, helping 888casino to gain a loyal global player base.

To Sum Up

Ultimately, the iGaming industry continues to advance with modern technologies like AI, VR and blockchain, but these innovations would be nothing without the foundational contributions of visionaries like Aaron and Avi Shaked. Despite having unrelated backgrounds to iGaming and facing hurdles throughout their lives, these brothers prove that perseverance can lead to success.