Ron Babini, a popular executive in the international gaming industry, has died suddenly a the early age of 56 in Kiev, Ukraine.
He entered the industry in 1993 at IGT Europe as a sales executive and was with the company for 12 years. A long-time friend, Harmen Brenninkmeijer, said this week: “During his time at IGT, he was a key member of the team that put that business on a very profitable course.
“He was known for his relationship building and pursued each sale with the same passion whether it meant a single machine or many hundreds. As sales manager Europe and Russia, he was active in virtually every market.”
A keen traveller and enthusiast for opening up new business areas, Babini visited many countries, taking his skills and knowledge on to Inspired Gaming, where he became casino sales director Europe.
He then moved on to Austria’s Amatic Industries as sales manager and more recently became the representative of Scientific Games in the Ukraine.
Said Brenninkmeijer: “Ron will be fondly remember for his joie de vivre, his love for people, his passion for Alfa Romeos and Harley-Davidsons and last but not least barcos.”
A memorial service is to be held in the Netherlands soon. Babini was a Netherlands citizen. He leaves a wife, Julia, and three children.
