SBC has announced the names of the six industry pioneers who will join the Sports Betting Hall of Fame during this week’s Betting on Sports Europe conference in London.
The Sports Betting Hall of Fame was launched by SBC in 2016 to recognise and celebrate the individuals who have made significant long-lasting contributions to the industry. Its latest members will be honoured at a special ceremony in the spectacular setting of London’s Natural History Museum on 11 November.
The six people set to be inducted are:
Simon Bold - Founder, SBGL and Former CEO bwin International
Vincent Caldwell - Founder, betinternet and Chairman & CEO, Virtual Software
Ludovico Calvi - President, Global Lottery Monitoring System (GLMS)
Clive Hawkswood - Former CEO, RGA and Former Chairman, RAiG
Birgitte Sand - Former Director General, Danish Gambling Authority
Jan Svendsen - Founder, Coolbet, Nordicbet and Triobet
Between them, the new inductees have made significant contributions to the industry in multiple jurisdictions, including Denmark, Gibraltar, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Italy, the UK, the Nordic region and Baltic states, and various US states.
All the new inductees were delighted by the news that their careers are to be celebrated in this way.
Simon Bold said: “It's most gratifying and a great pleasure to be joining good friends and colleagues from my many years in the industry, such as Norbert Teufelberger, Carsten Koerl, and Denise Coates, and many others who form part of this illustrious group.”
Vincent Caldwell said:
“It is a huge honour to be inducted into the Sports Betting Hall of Fame.”
Ludovico Calvi said:
“For me to be inducted into the Sports Betting Hall of Fame is a recognition by the industry of having contributed to raising the standards of excellence, always supporting regulated, responsible and sustainable betting market environments while safeguarding the level of integrity and customer protection throughout the journey.”
Clive Hawkswood said:
“It's always been a great idea to recognise people's contributions over a period of time to the sector, but I never imagined I would be one of the recipients. So, it was a nice surprise to be even considered for it. That was even more so after I had reminded myself of some of the industry greats who have been inducted in previous years.”
Birgitte Sand said:
“I am very grateful to SBC for this fine honour and proud to be in the company of so many great people! I also allow myself to take the recognition as a valuable expression of the importance of dialogue between the gambling industry and regulators.”
Jan Svendsen said:
“It's a great honour and a nice reward after 35 years in the industry.”
SBC’s Founder & CEO Rasmus Sojmark added:
“We’re delighted to be able to welcome our latest inductees to the Sports Betting Hall of Fame in person after the Class of 2020 ceremony took place online. We’re once again back in one of London’s iconic venues and the party at the Natural History Museum promises to be a great way to round off Betting on Sports Europe.”
Entry to the Sports Betting Hall of Fame ceremony is included with the full event pass for the Betting on Sports Europe conference and exhibition.
The conference takes place at Stamford Bridge, the home of Champions League holders Chelsea FC, on 9-11 November.
About the Sports Betting Hall of Fame
SBC launched the Sports Betting Hall of Fame in 2016, in order to honour, preserve and perpetuate the names and outstanding accomplishments of personalities who have brought lasting success to the industry.
The original inductees were Carsten Koerl (Founder & CEO, Sportradar), Mark Blandford (Founder, Sportingbet), and Howard Chisholm (Director, Bookmakers Technology Consortium).
They have since been joined by:
2017: Paris Smith (CEO, Pinnacle), Fred Done (Founder, Betfred), and Vigen Badalyan (Founder & CEO, BetConstruct).
2018: Norbert Teufelberger (Co-Founder, Bwin), Pontus Lindwall (CEO, Betsson), Warwick Bartlett (CEO, GBGC), Constantinos Antonopoulos (Vice-Chairman, Intralot), and Fabio Schiavolin (CEO, Snaitech).
2019: Denise Coates (Founder & CEO, bet365), John Boyle (Founder & Chairman, BoyleSports), John Anderson (former CEO, 888 Holdings), Armin Sageder (Founder, Paysafecard & BGT), Richard Flint (Non-Executive Director, Flutter Entertainment & former CEO, Sky Betting & Gaming), Jukka Honkavaara (Bettor who placed the first-ever online sports bet), Art Manteris (retired VP Race and Sports Book Operations, Station Casinos), Dennis Drazin (CEO, Monmouth Park), and Chris Christie (former NJ Governor).
2020: Ralph Topping (former William Hill CEO), Victor Chandler (Founder, BetVictor), Bill Mummery (Pioneer in online betting & Asian market), Giovanni Garrisi (CEO, StanleyBet), Juan B. Pérez Hidalgo (former President, Coljuegos), Victor Salerno (President, USBookmaking & US Fantasy Sports), Raymond Lesniak (former NJ State Senator), Roxy Roxborough (Legendary Las Vegas Oddsmaker), Sara Slane (former Sr. VP, American Gaming Association), and Jay Rood (SVP, Risk & Trading, Bally’s Interactive).