Illinois Governor JB Pritzker hit the jackpot last year.
A copy of his recent tax filing shows that he took home $1.4 million while playing blackjack in a Las Vegas casino during a vacation with his wife and friends.
A spokesperson told CBS News that Pritzker plans to give the casino winnings to charity, although they didn't explain why this hasn't happened yet.
At a recent press event, Pritzker called himself "incredibly lucky" for walking away with more money than he came with, a feat not many gamblers achieve. "You have to be to end up ahead, frankly, going to a casino anywhere," Pritzker said.
The reported blackjack win was just a part of the Pritzkers’ total income for 2024, which amounted to almost $11 million. They paid around $1.6 million in taxes.
Political Figures Aren't Typically Known as Gamblers
There are many celebrities who are almost as famous for their gambling habits as they are for their movie roles. Some, like former NBA star Iman Shumpert, even turn their love for blackjack into a podcast, while others have no trouble immersing themselves in the gambling world to prepare for a new role.
But it's rare for well-known politicians to have big casino wins. Most avoid being linked to gambling because of concerns about ethics, rules, or their public image.
But here are some politicians with ties to casino visits over the years:
- Richard Bryan: This former governor of Nevada often visited Las Vegas casinos in the 1980s and 1990s. He didn't win big but gambled modestly to support the local industry.
- Harry Reid: Once a major U.S. Senate leader, Reid was from Nevada and sometimes played low-stakes slot machines for fun, but he said he didn't win big money.
- Barry Goldwater: Former Senator from Arizona, known to play poker and blackjack in Las Vegas, but never struck it rich.
- Jesse Ventura: Former Minnesota governor and wrestler, who occasionally gambled in Nevada and tribal casinos, mentioning he won a few thousand dollars, but nothing huge.
- Donald Trump: Before becoming President, he owned casinos, but is not known personally as a gambler.
Governor Pritzker's recent win is unusual among politicians. It's one of the few major casino jackpots confirmed and reported on taxes. Most politicians either bet small amounts or visit casinos to show support, not to win big money.
Pritzker's Future Plans
Governor Pritzker has said he wants to run for a third term as governor in 2026. Some people think this is a smart way for him to stay in the spotlight and maybe get ready to run for President of the United States later.
In Illinois, there are no limits on how many times you can be governor, so Pritzker can keep using the job to share his ideas and be seen on the national stage.
While many believe he might run for President in 2028, he hasn't officially announced it yet.
Pritzker, who has a history of charitable work like the Chicago Poker Challenge benefiting the Illinois Holocaust Museum, hinted at his good fortune on this Vegas trip but didn't spill the beans on his winning strategies.
He joked about how easy it is to lose money in casinos if you don't walk away in time.
"Anybody who's played cards in a casino knows, you often play for too long and lose whatever it is you won," Pritzker said. "I was fortunate enough to have to leave before that happened."
