It’s no secret that casino owners make serious real money at casinos, with some raking in millions of dollars on a daily basis! They also tend to spread their empires far beyond the realms of gambling and casinos – into banking, tourism, construction and whatever else strikes their fancy. We take a look at the current heavy weights in the casino world according to their net worth, in descending order:
1. Miriam Adelson – $35.7 billion USD
The widowed wife of Sheldon Anderson. The listed company operates renowned casinos in destinations like Singapore and Macao. Miriam, along with Sheldon, gained attention for their significant contributions to Republican campaigns and political action committees, collectively donating $180 million in 2020. This made them noteworthy GOP megadonors. In a strategic move, Las Vegas Sands sold its iconic Las Vegas assets, including the Venetian Resort and the Sands Expo and Convention Center, for an impressive $6.25 billion in February 2021. This allowed the company to focus on its flourishing operations in Asian markets. Miriam Adelson's influence extends beyond business. Her net worth, as of my last update in September 2021, was significant due to her stake in Las Vegas Sands and her contributions to various endeavors.
2. Dr. Lui Che Woo – $11.7 billion USD
82-year old Galaxy Casino chairman, Dr. Woo, is a relative newcomer to the casino industry. He entered the scene in 2011 with the opening of the Galaxy Macau Casino Hotel. His original fortune was accumulated in the leisure, entertainment, construction, hotel and real estate arenas. The impressive Galaxy hotel features 2200 bedrooms, 50 restaurants, 450 gaming tables, a wave pool and an artificial beach. This multi-billionaire also dedicates his time to philanthropic causes, particularly those focused on the development of medical care and education.
3. Pansy Ho – $5.8 billion USD
Emerging from the dynamic milieu of Hong Kong, Pansy Ho's narrative is intricately interwoven with the casino industry. Carrying forward the legacy of her legendary father, Stanley Ho, Pansy infused her unique vision into the realm of gaming.
Stepping onto the grand stage of Macao, Pansy played a pivotal role in co-founding MGM China Holdings, contributing to the vibrant casino landscape. Her leadership and strategic acumen helped shape the MGM Macau and MGM Cotai into renowned destinations that seamlessly blend entertainment and hospitality. Pansy Ho's influence extends beyond casinos, encompassing her engagement in various business ventures and philanthropic endeavors. Her notable net worth, valued at $5.8 billion, attests to her significant impact and enduring legacy.
4. Kunio Busujima – $4.2 billion USD
Kunio Busujima is the chairman and founder of Sankyo manufacturing company in Japan. Interestingly, gambling isn’t legal in Japan, yet Kunio makes it onto our list. How? Because Sankyo is the biggest manufacturer of Pachinko machines (the equivalent of slot machines) and Pachinko Parlors (which feature all throughout Japan) operate in much the same way as traditional casinos. The Pachinko machine sports a pinball-like design, except that it has a vertical layout. Players shoot a small ball through a chute and prizes are won as the ball makes its way downward through a series of pins and lands in a particular location.
5. Steve Wynn –- $3.2 billion USD
Steve Wynn is probably the richest casino owner in Las Vegas and also responsible for the trend that shaped Sin City into the flashing neon-light adult playground it is today. It was Steve who built the first themed casino, the Mirage, in 1989. At a cost of $630 million it was the most expensive casino built for its time. His other famous Vegas casinos included Treasure Island, Encore, Wynn, Bellagio Casino Hotels and the Golden Nugget. Steve’s other big passion in life is fine art and his prized collection includes pieces by masters such as Van Gogh, Cezanne, and Gauguin.
6. Phil Ruffin - $3.2 billion USD
For a big shot casino mogul, American businessman Phil Ruffin leads a relatively reclusive life away from the public eye. It was the purchase of a gas station in the early 50’s that marked the beginning of Phil’s empire that would go on to include over 60 gas stations and convenience stores as well as several hotels. Although he was already doing well in life, Phil achieved even bigger success when he entered the gambling industry in 1995 with his first casino purchase – the Crystal Palace resort and casino in the Bahamas. It was in 2007 that Phil Ruffin officially hit billionaire status with the acquisition of the New Frontier Casino. Another notable purchase is that of the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in 2009 from a struggling MGM Mirage, a move which more than likely saved hundreds of casino staff from unemployment. In addition, Phil shares 50% ownership of Trump International towers and also has business interests in greyhound racing tracks, distribution, truck manufacturing and oil production.
7. John Paulsen – $3 billion USD
The MGM Mirage operates 10 Strip resorts, along with casinos in Reno, Macau, Detroit, and Mississippi.John Paulsen is undeniably an investment god. The Harvard educated businessman specializes in mergers and acquisitions, particularly on the casino front. His latest acquisition through his New York based hedge fund involves 40 million shares of MGM Mirage as well as 4 million shares of Boyd Gaming Corp. – making him the second largest MGM shareholder behind its founder, the late Kirk Kerkonian. When John isn’t busy brokering multi-million-dollar deals, he likes to spends his time and money on charitable events and even dabbles in politics.
8. The Fertitta brothers, Frank & Lorenzo – 2.9 billion USD each
Frank Fertitta III and younger brother Lorenzo Fertitta are best known for their success in Nevada’s casino and hotel industry. The brothers inherited station casinos from their father, Frank Jr., who helped to establish it in 1976. Wanting to create wealth in their own right, the brothers set their sights on launching their own companies. They started renting out pay phones, then leasing out poker machines and eventually buying the bars where the machines were placed. The siblings continued to expand in real estate that would become future casinos. The gambling scene isn’t the only source of the brothers’ success, they are also well-known for their passion in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotions arena. Just recently they sold off their remaining shares in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for a tidy little sum of $5 billion.
9. James Packer – $2.7 Billion USD
Our next ultra-rich entrant and ex-fiancé to songstress, Mariah Carey, hails from the wonderful land down-under. James Packer, who inherited his early fortune from his father, opted to invest it in creating a world-wide gambling empire and boy did it pay off! He presently owns and chairs Crown Ltd – one of the biggest resort and entertainment groups in Australia that is worth more than $11 billion. He also owns casinos outside of Oz, such as Aspinalls casino in the UK, the Cannery Casinos in Pennsylvania and Nevada, Betfair Online Casino in New Jersey, the Crown Casino in Sri Lanka as well as shares in the Macau-based gaming group, Melco-Crown. A fun fact about this casino magnate is that he spent his youth working as a jackeroo in a cattle station!
10. Donald Trump - $2.5 billion USD
Current president of the United States, Donald J Trump, started his journey as a business tycoon when he became head of his family’s real estate business in 1971. The Trump Organization as it then became known rapidly expanded into the construction and renovation of skyscrapers, hotels, casinos and golf courses. In addition, Trump also owned the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants and hosted a reality TV game show called The Apprentice from 2005 to 2013. Under the company Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc. Trump owned various casinos including Trump Plaza, Trump’s Castle, and the Trump Taj Mahal and riverboat emporium. Today, due to bad debt and financing issues, the company only owns the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.
