Published on: October 17, 2025, 05:56h.
Updated on: October 17, 2025, 05:56h.
- Pritzker names blackjack as his favorite game in Las Vegas.
- The governor allocates $1.425 million in casino winnings to charitable causes.
- Tax filings indicate a threefold increase in income for the billionaire Democrat.
According to tax filings, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker had a successful gambling streak last year, winning a total of $1.425 million. A spokesperson for Pritzker confirmed that he experienced both wins and losses at a Las Vegas casino but did not specify the location.
During a press event held on Thursday, the billionaire stated that blackjack is his preferred game and that he plans to donate his winnings to charity.
“I recently vacationed with my wife and friends, and luck was on my side. Winning at a casino is quite a feat anywhere, but especially in Las Vegas. I enjoy card games,” Pritzker told the media.
“Those who’ve gambled in a casino understand that it’s easy to play too long and lose what you’ve won. I was lucky to exit before that could happen,” he added.
Billionaire Heir to Hyatt
2025 was a prosperous year for the Pritzker family, collectively reporting an income of $10.7 million to the IRS, marking a threefold increase from the prior year.
The governor is an heir to the Hyatt Hotels legacy, boasting an estimated net worth of $3.9 billion. He has had recent disagreements with President Donald Trump, who criticized him for not adequately supporting ICE officers in Illinois and even suggested his imprisonment. Pritzker is considered a potential candidate for the 2028 Democratic presidential election.
Governor Pritzker’s support for gambling is well-known. In 2019, he signed a significant gambling reform bill that approved a casino in Chicago and five smaller casinos in southern suburbs.
This legislation was part of a larger spending initiative, allocating billions for infrastructure improvements while also legalizing both land-based and online sports betting and boosting the number of video gambling machines available in the state.
Casino Interests
The Pritzker family has a long history of involvement in casinos, having previously owned the Four Queens in downtown Las Vegas until 2003. J.B. Pritzker himself was an investor in a company that held a minor stake in the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, which is currently under the ownership of Caesars Entertainment. He reportedly still has ties with the Niagara Casino Group, according to The Chicago Sun-Times.
Additionally, Pritzker is an avid poker enthusiast, having established the Chicago Poker Challenge to raise funds for the Holocaust Museum and civil rights initiatives.