The 10 Richest Casino Owners in the World
In the high-stakes world of casinos — where fortunes are won and lost in a flash — a handful of people have managed to transform their passion for gaming into massive empires. Dominating not only the gambling industry but also real estate, entertainment, and hospitality, these casino moguls have amassed extraordinary wealth. From the legendary hotels of Las Vegas to the booming gaming capitals of Asia, here are 10 titans who prove that, for them, the house does always win.
1. Sheldon Adelson
Estimated Net Worth: $29.8 billion
Though Sheldon Adelson died in 2021, his imprint on the casino world — and his status as one of America’s richest men — can’t be ignored. Adelson amassed his staggering wealth through ventures at Las Vegas Sands Co., which owns flashy properties in Las Vegas, Macau, and Singapore. Credited for revolutionizing the casino-resort model, Adelson wanted to create luxury destinations that combine gambling with shopping, entertainment, and top-notch hospitality. At the time of his death, he had an estimated net worth of around $35 billion.
2. Lui Che Woo
Estimated Net Worth: $10.3 billion
Lui Che Woo, founder of Galaxy Entertainment Group in Macau, rose to prominence in Asia’s gaming capital. His career began in construction and hotel management before shifting to casinos, where his resorts are renowned for their luxury and glamour. With an estimated net worth of over $10 billion, Lui is known as one of the wealthiest men in Hong Kong.
3. Tilman Fertitta
Estimated Net Worth: $10.2 billion
As the owner of Landry’s Inc., which controls the Golden Nugget casinos, Fertitta built a massive fortune through his ventures in restaurants, hotels, and entertainment. Beyond casinos, he expanded Landry’s into a multi-faceted empire with investments in high-end real estate and even sports. In 2017, he purchased the NBA’s Houston Rockets for $2.2 billion.
4. Denise Coates
Estimated Net Worth: $9.3 billion
As the founder of Bet365, Coates transformed online gambling to become one of the richest women in the industry. Coates, who built the platform alongside her brother John, redefined the approach of online betting by shifting the popularity of gambling from traditional brick-and-mortar casinos to a more accessible digital platform. Talk about girl power!
5. Johann Graf
Estimated Net Worth: $7 billion
Former butcher-turned-billionaire Johann Graf made his fortune through Novomatic Group — one of the world’s largest gaming technology companies. His company provides gaming solutions and operates casinos worldwide, especially in Europe. The Austrian businessman’s sizable net worth also stems from Novomatic’s innovation in casino management.
6. Kirk Kerkorian
Estimated Net Worth: $4.2 billion
Known as the “father of the mega-resort,” Kirk Kerkorian was a key figure in transforming Las Vegas into the gambling and entertainment capital it is today. Credited with developing some of the city’s largest casinos, including the MGM Grand, the casino legend’s influence continues to be felt in Vegas and beyond. He died in 2015 at the age of 98.
7. Steve Wynn
Estimated Net Worth: $3.7 billion
Wynn helped redefine luxury casinos in Las Vegas through his properties like The Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio, and Wynn Resorts. However, in 2018, he was accused of sexual misconduct by “dozens of women” and was forced to resign from his role as CEO and chairman of Wynn Resorts. Despite this controversy, Wynn is still worth nearly $4 billion today.
8. James Packer
Estimated Net Worth: $2.8 billion
Australian billionaire James Packer made his fortune through Crown Resorts — one of Australia’s largest gaming and entertainment groups. Packer diversified from his family’s media empire to focus on casinos, establishing multiple luxury resorts in Australia, Europe, and Asia. Despite stepping down from the board in 2018, Packer remains incredibly rich.
9. Phil Ruffin
Estimated Net Worth: $2.6 billion
Hailing from humble beginnings (his father worked as a grocer), Ruffin built his massive wealth through a variety of ventures on the Las Vegas strip. Starting out in the oil industry, he transitioned to real estate and casinos, where he found substantial success. Ruffin also owns 50% of the Trump International hotel in Vegas alongside longtime friend, Donald Trump.
10. Stanley Ho
Estimated Net Worth: $2 billion
Known as the “King of Gambling,” Ho dominated Macau’s casino scene for nearly half a century. He built an empire through his company, SJM Holdings, and was instrumental in transforming Macau into one of the largest gambling hubs in the world. Beyond the casino industry, Ho’s influence is intertwined in the region’s tourism and finance sectors.
He also serves on the board of several high-profile government institutions, including as chairman of the Macau International Airport, co-chairman of the advisory committee of Seng Heng Bank, and chairman of Macau Horse Racing Co.