Billionaire Illinois Governor JB Pritzker proved that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay there. During a 2024 getaway with his wife, MK Pritzker, and close friends, the Democratic leader struck gold at a blackjack table. This had him walking away with a jaw-dropping $1.4 million win.
JB Pritzker’s Lucky Streak in Sin City
The surprising windfall made news headlines as a recent tax compliance report revealed his latest federal tax filings. Pritzker is heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune and is worth an estimated $3.9 billion. According to ABC News, the Democratic governor told reporters in Chicago that the win came purely down to luck.
“I was incredibly lucky,” he admitted. “You have to be to end up ahead, frankly, going to a casino anywhere.” The governor also took the moment to encourage visitors to try out what Illinois has to offer in terms of Casinos.
The Profit Will Be Channeled To Charity
The JB Pritzker Vegas win was part of the governor’s 2024 tax filings. It also included $10.7 million in adjusted gross income. The filing showed the Pritzkers paid about $1.6 million in taxes on $5.87 million in taxable income.
A campaign spokesperson later confirmed the story, noting that the blackjack earnings were a net number from his gambling trip, which included both wins and losses. They also shared that the governor intended to donate the money to charity. However, they did not give out information on when the donation would be made. Pritzker declined to reveal what his winning hand was. However, he joked that leaving the casino early might’ve been his best decision of the night.
“Anybody who’s played cards in a casino, you often play for too long and lose whatever it is you won,” he said. The Hyatt hotel heir added that he was fortunate enough to have left before the possibility of a loss.
The governor, known for his love of card games, also hosts the Chicago Poker Challenge. This is a charity event that has raised millions for the Holocaust Museum and Education Center.
JB Pritzker’s Vegas Big Hit Reflects On His Public Position
Governor Pritzker’s win in Vegas can be considered a harmless stroke of luck. However, the timing has cast more spotlight on his growing national profile. The public figure previously got attention when he condemned President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement in Chicago. He also frowned at the president’s attempt to deploy National Guard Troops there.
The two-term Democrat, and rumored 2028 presidential contender, has become one of his party’s wealthiest and most influential figures in terms of presidential nominations. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Pritzker doesn’t take a salary as governor. He has also already poured parts of his personal wealth into supporting Democratic campaigns and causes.
This includes efforts to protect abortion rights and combat misinformation. The politician was also seen in action when he gave more than $1 million to the fight over a Supreme Court seat in Wisconsin earlier in the year. Pritzker, who was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, intends to seek a third term as Illinois governor.
