Zitro Founder Johnny Ortiz Wins AZAR Magazine’s “Businessman of the Year” for the Fourth Time
From launching his first business at just 18 to founding Zitro in 2007, Johnny Ortiz has built one of the most influential companies in the iGaming and casino industry technology sector.
For the fourth time, Johnny Ortiz has been named “Businessman of the Year” by AZAR Magazine – making him the only entrepreneur in the gaming industry to receive the honour four times.
His message during the ceremony reflected the culture behind the company’s growth:
“Success comes from hard work, innovation, and a passion for always offering something Just Different.”
The recognition makes Ortiz the only industry figure to receive the publication’s top individual honor on four occasions.
Building a Global Slot Supplier
Ortiz founded Zitro in 2007 and has since guided the company’s transformation from a regional video bingo specialist into a global casino gaming supplier within the iGaming and casino technology market.
The company initially built its reputation in the bingo segment with its video bingo products and BET systems, which gained strong traction across multiple international markets. Over time, Zitro expanded its portfolio and geographic reach, steadily growing its presence across regulated casino markets.
In 2016, the supplier broadened its strategy by entering the video slots segment and launching its online division, Zitro Digital, enabling the company to deliver content for both land-based and digital operators.The digital arm has since strengthened its leadership structure with the appointment of Michael Bauer as CEO of Zitro Digital, as detailed in Zitro Appoints Michael Bauer as CEO of Zitro Digital.
Over the past decade, Zitro has expanded its portfolio of slot cabinets and proprietary game content while strengthening its footprint across Europe and Latin America and increasing deployments in North American casino operators.
The expansion has strengthened Zitro’s position as an emerging competitor to major slot suppliers including Aristocrat Gaming, IGT and Light & Wonder.
Industry Recognition for Leadership
Presenting the award, AZAR Magazine editor Manolo Ortega highlighted Ortiz’s long-term influence on the global gaming industry and his role in scaling Zitro into an internationally recognized casino technology brand through sustained product development and market expansion.
Ortiz dedicated the recognition to the Zitro team, crediting the company’s workforce and development teams for driving the supplier’s continued growth. The company has also recently seen a notable leadership transition with the retirement of long-time Vice President Manuela Jiménez after 18 years at the supplier, marking the close of a significant executive chapter in Zitro’s development, as detailed in Manuela Jiménez Retires After 18 Years as Zitro Vice President.
Global Expansion and Innovation
Today, Zitro offers a wide range of gaming cabinets and an expanding library of titles, supplying operators across regulated markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), the United States, Latin America and Asia.The supplier has recently expanded its presence in the U.S. premium slot segment, including a new deployment of its FANTASY cabinet featuring the Brave Dragon title at Pechanga Resort Casino in California, as detailed in Pechanga Resort Casino Installs Zitro’s FANTASY Cabinet Featuring Brave Dragon.
The company supports its global operations through regional offices and two major technology campuses focused on hardware and software development in Barcelona, Spain, and Bangalore, India.
As Zitro continues expanding in regulated casino markets and iGaming sectors, Ortiz’s latest recognition underscores nearly two decades of leadership in a competitive slot machine and casino technology industry where scaling a privately held supplier into a global slot brand remains uncommon in a market dominated by large publicly listed manufacturers.
Source: Zitro
