Key Moments:
- Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker reported $1.425 million in blackjack winnings from a Las Vegas casino last year
- Pritzker confirmed his casino earnings were donated to charity
- The Pritzker family’s income reached $10.7 million last year, more than tripling from the previous year
Governor Scores Big at the Blackjack Table
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker earned $1.425 million playing blackjack in Las Vegas last year, according to his tax filings. While the exact casino was not identified, a spokesperson for the Pritzker campaign did confirm the governor’s gambling activity and resulting win.
At a Thursday press conference, Pritzker shared that blackjack was his preferred way to play and disclosed that the entirety of his winnings would benefit charitable organizations.
NEW: Billionaire Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker won $1.4 million playing blackjack in Las Vegas last year, his office discloses.
"I went on vacation with my wife, with some friends, I was incredibly lucky." pic.twitter.com/rfu8czvDN5
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) October 16, 2025
“Incredibly Lucky” Streak in Las Vegas
“I went on vacation with my wife, with some friends. I was incredibly lucky. You have to be to end up ahead, frankly, going to a casino anywhere — it was in Las Vegas — and I like to play cards,” Pritzker told reporters.
“Anybody who’s played cards in a casino knows that … you often play for too long and lose whatever it is that you won. I was fortunate enough to have to leave before that happened,” he added.
Significant Jump in Reported Income
Tax returns indicated that the Pritzkers declared $10.7 million in income for the year, more than three times what they reported the year before.
J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire and heir to the Hyatt Hotels legacy, is seeking his third term as Illinois governor. His net worth is estimated to be $3.9 billion.
Family Legacy and Gambling Ties
Pritzker’s support for gambling is well-known. In 2019, he approved expansive legislation permitting the creation of a major casino in Chicago as well as five additional casinos in the region. This package also included authorization for land-based and mobile sports betting, a boost in video gambling machines, and billions in infrastructure spending.
The Pritzker family previously owned the Four Queens in downtown Las Vegas until 2003. J.B. Pritzker previously invested in a company with a stake in Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, now under Caesars Entertainment. As reported by The Chicago Sun Times, he maintains involvement with the Niagara Casino Group.
Pritzker’s Ongoing Passion for Poker and Philanthropy
Pritzker is known for his enthusiasm for poker games and for organizing the Chicago Poker Challenge, a charity event supporting the Holocaust Museum and civil rights organizations.
| Year | Pritzker Family Income | Casino Winnings | Charitable Donation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last year | $10.7 million | $1.425 million | $1.425 million |
- Author
Daniel Williams
