I haven't personally used Bitvest for some time now, but they've definitely been in the crypto gambling game for years. Like most companies, they've had their fair share of highs and lows. From what I gather, Bitvest is still active today albeit as a pretty small player compared to the big dogs of crypto gambling. For me, when I gamble (which isnt too often!), I tend to stick to the major brand names. In my eyes, they just offer a smoother user experience beefier security, and a bigger variety of games to get stuck into. But hey, that's just me - if you're looking for something more niche, Bitvest could still be up your alley and they seem to have their little community still going strong.
Not to mention lightlord's rather nonchalant attitude towards his clients and towards the Bitcointalk community in general. Every once in a while, he'd pop in to make a new announcement or respond to a complaint, but he never seemed genuinely interested in building a strong relationship with the community. Unlike what they used to have. But as you said, their management seemed content to rest on their laurels.
It's a shame, really. With a bit more effort and a better communication with their customers, Bitvest could have been a major player in the crypto gambling industry.