Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has reported $1.4 million in blackjack winnings on his 2024 tax returns, which were made public this week. His campaign revealed that these earnings stemmed from a single excursion to Las Vegas last year.
During a press conference in Chicago, Pritzker shared details about the gambling success he experienced during a holiday with his wife, MK Pritzker, and friends. “I was extremely fortunate,” he remarked.
He added: “Anyone who has played cards in a casino knows that you often continue playing longer than you should and end up losing your winnings. I was lucky that I had to leave before that happened.”
He did not disclose the amount he staked per hand, whether he played on the main gambling floor, or at a private high-stakes table, nor the specifics of how the winnings were achieved during his visit, as reported by The New York Times.
Insights into Gaming Industry and Tax Compliance
Professional gambler Richard W. Munchkin commented that Pritzker’s declared winnings are plausible given the typical betting limits in Nevada’s gaming landscape, where premier casinos permit bets up to $25,000 per hand, and private high-roller tables can reach $100,000 or more.
“There are numerous high-rollers in Las Vegas who have wins and losses that are much greater,” Munchkin stated in the New York Times article. He also expressed surprise that Pritzker reported the income: “My initial reaction was, ‘Wow, someone actually reported their gambling winnings.’”
A spokesperson for Pritzker’s campaign, Alex Gough, disclosed that the governor intends to donate the winnings to charity, though details regarding the beneficiary or timeline were not provided.
Connections to Illinois’ Gambling Legislation
Pritzker has been influential in the legislative changes impacting Illinois’ gambling industry, which oversees 17 state-regulated casinos monitored by the Illinois Gaming Board. He previously endorsed gaming legislation in the state and has advocated for regulated gambling.
“Illinois offers some fantastic places to visit,” Pritzker commented while discussing his blackjack winnings during the press conference.
The governor is also recognized as an avid card player and was a co-founder of the Chicago Poker Challenge, an event aimed at raising funds for the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.
Financial Reporting Overview
The governor, who is part of the Hyatt Hotels family, holds a net worth of $3.9 billion. His 2024 tax return indicates an adjusted gross income of $10.7 million, chiefly from trusts providing annual yields. Pritzker does not draw a salary as governor. The filing noted that he and his wife contributed $1.6 million in federal taxes on a taxable income of $5.87 million and made personal charitable contributions amounting to $3.3 million.
Currently in his second term, Pritzker has declared his intention to run for a third term in 2026. He has been speculated as a candidate for the 2028 presidential election and was previously regarded as a potential vice-presidential choice for Kamala Harris.
Recently, he vocally criticized immigration enforcement actions from former President Donald Trump, including the potential deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago.