SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — It figures that a billionaire would win big in Las Vegas.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker reported a gambling windfall of $1.4 million on his federal tax return this week. The two-term Democrat, frequently mentioned as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, shared his luck during a press conference in Chicago.
I was incredibly lucky, said Pritzker, who attributes his fortune to successful blackjack hands during a vacation with his wife, MK Pritzker, and their friends. You have to be to end up ahead, frankly, going to a casino anywhere.
Pritzker, the heir to the Hyatt hotel chain with a net worth of $3.9 billion, announced plans to donate the winnings to charity but was unclear why the amount had not already been given.
Already indicating his ambition in politics, Pritzker aims for a third term in 2026 and previously considered becoming a vice presidential candidate. He has also been a financial supporter of various Democratic causes, including abortion rights.
His political profile is boosted as he publicly criticizes President Trump's immigration policies and military deployments in Chicago, further demonstrating his commitment to Democratic principles.
In his recent income report, Pritzker and his family's earnings stood at $10.66 million in 2024, primarily from dividends and capital gains, paying $1.6 million in taxes on $5.87 million of taxable income.
Pritzker is known for his passion for cards, having raised millions for charity through initiatives like the Chicago Poker Challenge. He explained that his Vegas win was a net calculation of wins and losses from a single trip, though he decided against revealing his winning hand.
Anyone who's played cards in a casino knows that you often play for too long and lose whatever it is you won, he said. I was fortunate enough to have to leave before that happened.
