In loving memory of Adriaan Brink, the original industry legend
Last summer Adriaan told me that he had been thinking about this concept a lot: that the only thing you could really control in your life was your outlook on things.
I found that to be one of the most profound thoughts anyone had ever shared with me, and I think it best sums up his philosophy – which is a valuable lesson that he bequeaths his friends and all that knew him. To embrace Adriaan’s philosophy, and live each day to its fullest, with exuberance, levity, joy and hope is his gift to us all.
The original industry legend
That outlook gave Adriaan an enviable life that took him from sailing single-handedly across the ocean multiple times and accidental camel wrangling in Australia, to the slopes of the Alps and the beaches of Mauritius.
His vast interests outside of igaming ranged from Lamborghinis, to a blog on the best buffalo wing joints in Canada, to a personal blog at adriaan.com, which he bought in 1996 making it one of the oldest on the internet.
He was, of course, known as a true legend in the igaming industry. The original legend. He was one of the first, and one of the most active, members of the igaming community.
“To count myself among his best friends is a privilege”
His long career stared with him helping develop and run the International Lottery in Liechtenstein Foundation/PLUS lotto, which in 1995 took the first online gaming transaction ever. Through the lottery Adriaan supported charitable causes both at home in Liechtenstein and internationally.
When Adriaan left the lottery he used his skills as a programmer and strategic thinker, combined with his vast experience and position as an industry icon, to involve himself in over a dozen projects at some of the igaming industry’s most successful enterprises.
If life is a treasure, dispensed one coin each day… then he spent generously and invested wisely.
But Adriaan will best be remembered for his unwavering commitment to his philosophy – which made him both a magnet and anchor for all who knew him. To count myself among his best friends is a privilege.
If life is a treasure, dispensed one coin each day… then he spent generously and invested wisely. His treasure yielded a life of love, friendships, relationships, excitement, adventure and a jolly good time for all those around him.
The whole iGB team sends our sympathies to Adriaan’s family, friends and colleagues. We invite anyone else from across the industry that would like to pay tribute to get in touch to help us commemorate him.