Walter Szrek 's NASPL Powers Award

Honoring Walter Szrek: Recipient of the NASPL Powers Award

Szrek2Solutions is proud and honored to share that Walter Szrek, our co-founder and visionary technologist, has been posthumously awarded the Powers Award by NASPL.

Walter was one of the original developers at the startup that would grow into GTECH (later IGT, now Brightstar Lottery)—his inventive spirit helped revolutionize the lottery industry with systems that set the standards for security and integrity in random numbers.

Reflecting on those early days, Don Stanford, founding member and former long-term CTO of GTECH Corporation shared:

“ Walter Szrek was one of the first four developers in the start-up company that became known as GTECH (later IGT, now Brightstar Lottery) that took the early lottery industry by storm. Walter’s contribution to GTECH spanned over 24 years and it cannot be overstated in its importance to GTECH’s early success. During his career at GTECH, Walter took on the most challenging technology jobs, ensuring our technical leadership across multiple platforms.

After leaving GTECH in 2003, Walter and Irena pioneered a new and superior RNG solution known as Trusted Draw, and his company, Szrek2Solutions, became the leader in advanced and auditable RNG solutions for the lottery industry. The company continues under the capable leadership of his daughter, Helena, and his colleague, Chris Olsen. It is safe to say that Walter’s contribution to GTECH was a major factor in our success and growth at a most critical period in the Company’s history.”

This recognition is especially meaningful because the nomination came from one of our valued clients, the Florida Lottery. Jodi Ryon, Deputy Secretary of Gaming Operations, acknowledges Walter’s outstanding service to the lottery industry:

“Walter was a visionary leader whose passion for technology and commitment to excellence left an indelible mark on our organization and beyond. Despite his absence, Szrek2Solutions continues to uphold his legacy through their ongoing dedication to innovation, quality, and service. Their efforts to maintain Walter’s standards of excellence are a testament to his enduring impact on the industry. The Florida Lottery is honored to nominate Walter Szrek posthumously for his exceptional contributions to our operations and to the broader Lottery community. His work will be remembered not only for its immediate impact but for the lasting influence he has had on the standards and practices that continue to guide us forward.”

To be honored in this way posthumously is both unusual and profoundly moving. It demonstrates the deep trust Walter built through his work and the lasting influence of his commitment to providing transparency and proof of integrity in lottery operations.

Today, Walter’s legacy lives on through the leadership of those closest to him. His co-founder, Irena Szrek, his daughter, Helena Pereira (now Vice President of Szrek2Solutions), and his longtime colleague, Christian Olsen (now Chief Technologist), continue to guide the company with the same dedication to innovation, quality, and trust that Walter embodied.

Helena Pereira, Vice President and Walter’s daughter, reflected:

“My father’s work was never just about technology—it was about trust. He believed that lotteries should be able to prove their integrity beyond any doubt, and he dedicated his life to making that possible. For me, it is both an honor and a great responsibility to carry forward the company he built with my mother, Irena. Every step we take at Szrek2Solutions is guided by the values he instilled and by his dedication to his customers.”

Christian Olsen, Chief Technologist and longtime colleague, shared:

“Walter was not only a great friend and an extraordinary engineer whose contributions helped shape the lottery and gaming industry, but also a role model who valued honesty and integrity above all. I was fortunate to work alongside him for more than 20 years, and his example continues to guide me every day. As chief technologist, I am honored to carry forward his work and build on the remarkable legacy he left behind.”

The team at Szrek2Solutions thanks NASPL for recognizing Walter’s extraordinary contributions with the prestigious Powers Award. His legacy continues to inspire our mission, reminding us that integrity, vision, and innovation are the cornerstones of lasting impact.

Beyond Professional Achievements:

”Walter’s Collection of Mechanical Calculators Finds a Home”

Walter’s remarkable legacy extends beyond his inventions and patents. He was deeply respected as a mentor, colleague, and family man, with passions that ranged from advancing secure technology to preserving the history of mechanical calculating machines—donating his 700-piece collection to Krakow’s Jagiellonian University museum, Collegium Maius..

What began as a curiosity at antique markets in Warsaw grew into a remarkable assembly of calculating devices, many restored, all cataloged and studied with care. Walter was fascinated by the ingenious ways these machines solved mathematical problems—whether through pinwheels, carry methods, or sliding beads—and he built relationships with other collectors, museum curators, and historians to better understand their origins.

Over the years, his home became a living library of mechanical problem-solving, eventually becoming one of the world’s most comprehensive private collections of its kind. In the final

chapter of his life, Walter chose to donate the collection to Krakow’s Jagiellonian University Museum Collegium Maius, where it is now preserved and exhibited for the public. Link to exhibit:: https://maius.uj.edu.pl/en_GB/wystawy/wystawy-czasowe/maszyny-liczace

Link to exhibit opening ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plicPEm8nes