The world's richest gambling bosses

Some of the world's richest people can be found in the high-stakes gambling industry. Well-known names include Sheldon Adelson, the late CEO of Las Vegas Sands, and Johann Graf, the founder of the successful online and offline company Novomatic AG. In the following article, we would like to introduce these and other people and discuss some interesting facts from the world of gambling.

Miriam Adelson

Born in Israel, she was originally a doctor and researcher in addiction medicine. Together with her late husband, the American Sheldon Adelson, she ran the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, which operates casinos and hotels in the US, Macau and Singapore. The company owns the famous Venetian in Las Vegas.

With the enormous success of their company, Miriam and Sheldon Adelson have amassed a fortune worth an estimated USD 32.2 billion, putting them on the list of the world's 100 richest people. With the enormous influence of her vast fortune, Miriam Adelson is one of the most important supporters of the Republican Party and Donald Trump. During his presidency, she and her husband may have been his biggest donors.

• Major shareholder in the Las Vegas Sands Corporation
• Ranked 49th on the list of the world's richest people
• Tel Aviv-born physician and wife of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who died in 2021

James Packer

James Packer is also one of the richest people in the world, with a fortune estimated by Forbes at $3.4 billion. He is an Australian businessman and heir to media mogul Kerry Packer. Packer made most of his fortune in the gambling industry. As the former chairman of Crown Resorts, one of Australia's largest casino and entertainment groups, James Packer has had a significant impact on the gambling industry both nationally and internationally.

James Packer is a highly controversial businessman. From corruption allegations to mental health issues, the wealthy casino boss has made headlines in recent years for a variety of unpleasant reasons. Despite these controversies, however, Packer remains a central figure in the global gambling industry.

James Packer was briefly engaged to pop diva Mariah Carey. This relationship, which ended shortly before the planned wedding, attracted worldwide attention. A much-discussed topic in the press was the magnificent 35-carat diamond ring Packer gave Carey, which was later returned to the jewellery designer.

• Former board member of Australian casino and entertainment group Crown Resorts
• Briefly engaged to Mariah Carey
• Estimated net worth of US$3.4 billion

Lui Che Woo

A self-made billionaire from Hong Kong, Woo made his fortune by running casinos in Macau. With Galaxy Entertainment, a subsidiary of his K. Wah Group, Woo holds a key position in one of the world's most lucrative gambling regions.

But success in Macau's gaming industry is only part of Lui Che Woo's story. In addition to his business success, Woo is also involved in social causes. Among other things, he has established a foundation that recognises and rewards significant contributions to society worldwide. From advances in medical research to sustainable development, Woo's foundation recognises significant achievements in various fields.

• Key player in Macau's gaming industry through Galaxy Entertainment
• Global commitment to a better society
• Unlike many casino entrepreneurs, not a rich heir but a genuine self-made billionaire

Phil Ruffin

Phil Ruffin also made most of his own money. He began his career with a service station in Kansas, which he quickly expanded into a chain of stations and stores, earning him his first million. Later he bought his first casino in Las Vegas.

Today, Ruffin owns several casinos, including Treasure Island and the Circus Circus Hotel & Casino. He has made a lot of money in the highly competitive gambling industry by using his entrepreneurial skills and buying attractive properties. For example, he bought the run-down New Frontier Hotel and Casino and later sold it for many times the original purchase price. Today, Phil Ruffin is one of the most influential figures in Las Vegas.

• Phil Ruffin has a keen sense of business opportunities and has made remarkable profits in the past
• The entrepreneur owns two of the most important casinos in Las Vegas
• Ruffin was an active and successful wrestler in his youth

Steve Wynn 

Steve Wynn is an impressive example of how gambling can not only be a lucrative business, but also the cornerstone of an entire empire. Wynn began his career in the gaming industry at a young age when he took over his family's business and turned the moderately successful bingo company into a thriving enterprise. However, his big break came when he entered the casino industry and played a key role in the development of Las Vegas.

The entrepreneur not only owns the Wynn Las Vegas casino named after him, but has also opened the Treasure Island, Mirage and Bellagio casinos, among others. He is known for his attention to detail and his impressive creations that combine luxury, entertainment and world-class gambling. Wynn's casinos not only offer world-class gaming, but are also renowned for their fine dining, shows and entertainment. In December last year, we reported that Wynn Resorts had confirmed the opening of its first casino in Dubai.

• One of the most influential figures in early Las Vegas
• Started his career in the family's bingo business
• The entire Wynn Resort complex is the fifth largest hotel in the world

Pansy Ho & Angela Leong

Pansy Ho and her stepmother, who is only a year older, are two other important women in the highly capitalised gambling industry. Pansy Ho began her career in show business and has appeared on many Hong Kong stages. She is one of Hong Kong's richest residents and is chairman of the Shun Tak construction company, which she inherited from her father Stanley Ho in 2020.

Angela Leong was the fourth wife of Pansy Ho's father Stanley. She had already become wealthy before their relationship through shrewd investments in Hong Kong property. After Stanley Ho's death, Angela Leong continued to run his casino company and was also active in Hong Kong politics.

• After the death of casino entrepreneur Stanley Ho, his wife and daughter continued his success
• Both women began their careers independently and now play prominent roles in Hong Kong's business community
• As strong women in the predominantly male-dominated gaming industry, they are breaking traditional gender roles

Are there rich owners of online casinos?

Some people have made a lot of money from online casinos in recent years. The possibilities of the internet have radically changed the gambling landscape and more and more people are moving away from brick and mortar casinos and playing online. However, this sector is a little more secretive when it comes to individual casino owners. Online casinos tend to be part of larger companies or gaming groups. Individual success stories do exist, but they are less common.

A good example of such a success story is Teddy Sagi, the founder of Playtech. Playtech is one of the leading providers of online gaming software and has enabled Teddy Sagi to build a fortune estimated at $5.5 billion. The aforementioned Johann Graf is another good example of the success of gaming bosses in the online world: with his company Novomatic, Graf has secured a leading role in the gaming world with classic slot machines. With the advent of online casinos, the company extended its activities to the internet and is now a good example of how classic slot machines and online gaming are not mutually exclusive.

Conclusion - between glamour and criticism

The world of gambling is not without controversy. Gambling bosses are often criticised, especially in relation to the problems of gambling addiction. However, it is important to put the biggest criticisms into perspective. Gambling companies and their operators do bear some responsibility, but there are also extensive measures in place in most countries to protect players. At the end of the day, everyone has the freedom to make their own choices. Those who are unable to control their gambling because of an addiction can voluntarily block themselves both in casinos and online, thereby reducing the financial risks associated with addiction. Although responsible gambling also carries risks of loss, it is primarily for entertainment purposes. It is always important to only risk as much money as your financial situation allows.

Image source: https://pixabay.com/de/photos/business-office-chef-170645/