Industry veteran Ainsworth celebrates 100th birthday

Industry veteran Lennie Ainsworth, the founder of Aristocrat and later AGT, celebrates his 100th birthday today.

Ainsworth laid the foundations for both companies to become leaders in the slot machine business at an international level. He has subsequently been entered into the industry Hall of Fame for his achievements.

In a statement issued this week, Ainsworth said: “I feel privileged to have reached this milestone and to have seen how the gaming industry has evolved and flourished over the years.

“I have been fortunate in establishing a worldwide reputation for quality equipment that continues to lead the field and that pleases me no end. I have worked with many great people along the way – without them none of it would be possible.”

Ainsworth was born in Kempsey, New South Wales, on July 11, 1923, as Leonard Hastings Ainsworth. Recognising the potential of the gambling business, Ainsworth left his first job as a supplier of dental equipment to begin to develop and sell slot machines. And in 1953 he launched Aristocrat.

It was only after developing prostate cancer in 1984 that Ainsworth devolved sections of the Aristocrat business to members of his large family.

And a year later, after being given the all-clear by his doctors, Len’s love for the industry drove him to start Ainsworth Game Technology and it therefore “appealed to Len’s sense of mischief, as he was constantly in a fierce battle for the international market with IGT’s Si Redd,” said InterGame’s David Snook.

Snook added: “I started in the industry in 1967 and quickly realised that even back then Len Ainsworth was a major figure. I was familiar with the old penny mechanical slots that Aristocrat sold and which were plentiful in UK seaside arcades, but it was not until later, when Len stepped up his international presence, making casino slots for the global market, that I really got to know him.

“We had many dinners together, usually during trade shows, and I have always been wonderfully entertained by his wit – a stream of reminiscences and observations about people, companies and trends in our industry and in the world in general would turn an evening into a delight.

“His business acumen was extraordinary and also his ability to pinpoint the right men to lead his company. It was no surprise that the burden of passing years and frailties of health should lead him to join forces with another great name from the gaming industry, Johan Graf at Novomatic.”

AGT said in a statement that its founder “dedicated his career to creating innovative, cutting-edge gaming solutions that would revolutionise the way in which people engage with slot machines.”

Among Ainsworth’s many interests was a love for philanthropy, establishing the Ainsworth Foundation to support Australian medicine, healthcare and education, among a number of causes.

Danny Gladstone, chairman of AGT, said: “I started my career in the gaming industry 50 years ago working with Len. It was a privilege to then have the opportunity to work with him again 16 years ago at Ainsworth and build on his legacy.

“He is a true icon globally and our industry would not be what it is without him. I wish him all the very best on his 100th birthday.”

Harald Neumann, CEO of Ainsworth Game Technology, added: “On behalf of the entire Ainsworth Game Technology family and the gaming industry, we extend our warmest wishes to Len on this momentous occasion.

“His unwavering dedication, innovative spirit and outstanding leadership have been instrumental in shaping our company and the industry as a whole.”