Bertil Knutsson, Chairman of gaming equipment supplier TCSJOHNHUXLEY, was given an Outstanding Contribution Award at the 5th International Gaming Awards (IGA) held at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel in London on the eve of the ICE Totally Gaming trade show.
Past recipients include Dr Stanley Ho and Andrew Love, the Executive Chairman of the Ritz Club Casino in London. The award recognises Mr Knutsson’s influence on the gaming industry. His early career involved boxing promotion with bills including world heavyweight champion of the late 1950s and early 60s Sonny Liston. He also promoted other sporting events such as appearances by The Harlem Globetrotters and World Championship Tennis tournaments including legendary players such as Björn Borg, Stan Smith, Arthur Ashe, Ilie Nastase and Rod Laver.
His start in the gaming industry came in 1959 when he began operating casinos in Sweden, before moving into the international market in the 1980s. It was at this time he invented the Chipper Champ chip sorting machine—which changed the face of gaming floors worldwide and still continues to be a leading product in the industry.
In 2001 with his partners, Mr Knutsson formed a company introducing Ladbrokes eGaming to the Nordic countries. Within five years the company recruited over 300,000 new members, accounting for approximately 40% of Ladbrokes eGaming poker revenues. He and his family are also major shareholders in Betsson AB and Net Entertainment. In 2003 the Knutsson-founded Victoria Holdings Ltd, the parent company of TCS, acquired 100% of the UK-based John Huxley Group to form TCSJOHNHUXLEY.
The IGA award was kept secret by Mr Knutsson’s family until the moment of the presentation.
“I am overwhelmed and extremely delighted to receive this honour. It is very satisfying to be acknowledged not only for my achievements in the gaming industry, but also the varied other work I have been involved with over the years,” said Mr Knutsson in reaction to the award.
