Illinois Governor JB Pritzker reported $1.4m in blackjack winnings from a Las Vegas casino trip on his 2024 tax filing. The billionaire politician spoke to local reporters about the windfall on October 16. His family owns the Hyatt Hotels and Resorts chain. Pritzker’s current net worth sits at roughly $3.9bn.
The Governor called himself “incredibly lucky” when discussing the win. “You have to be to end up ahead, frankly, going to a casino anywhere,” he told reporters.
He’s known around Illinois as an avid table games player. Pritzker has raised millions for the Holocaust Museum and Education Center through his Chicago Poker Challenge campaign.
Why This Win Stands Out
The $1.4m figure represents net winnings from multiple sessions during the trip. Pritzker earned $10.66m in total income for 2024. But walking away from Vegas casinos with seven-figure profits remains rare, even for high-stakes players.
“Anybody who’s played cards in a casino, you often play for too long and lose whatever it is you won,” Pritzker explained. “I was fortunate enough to have to leave before that happened.”
The timing matters too. Illinois casinos saw significant growth in August, with revenue jumping 24.3% to $174m. Wind Creek Chicago Southland opened recently. Fairmount Park also expanded its operations.
What Pritzker Plans for the Money
A campaign spokesperson said Pritzker intends to donate all Vegas winnings to charity. No official filing or announcement confirming the donation has surfaced yet. The Governor has history with charitable gaming contributions through his poker events.
The disclosure came as part of standard federal tax reporting. High-dollar casino wins must be reported to the IRS. Pritzker’s filing included the blackjack profits alongside his other 2024 income sources.
His comments suggest he played multiple sessions during the Vegas trip. The $1.4m reflects wins minus losses across all his blackjack play there.
How This Reflects Illinois Gaming Growth
The state’s casino sector keeps expanding. August numbers from the Illinois Gaming Board showed strong momentum across existing properties. New venues like Wind Creek Chicago Southland added to overall revenue growth.
Pritzker’s public discussion of his own gambling experiences comes as Illinois maintains its competitive casino market. The state allows multiple forms of gaming, including tribal and commercial casinos.
His willingness to detail the win and planned donation shows transparency around personal gambling activity. This matters for a governor overseeing a state with significant gaming interests and regulatory oversight.
The disclosure also highlights how high-stakes players can occasionally beat the house odds. Though as Pritzker noted, timing your exit makes all the difference.
