Illinois Governor JB Pritzker laughed and smiled this week as he was asked about certain details in his latest tax filing, including the claim that he won $1.4 million playing Blackjack in Las Vegas while on vacation.
The governor chalked his good fortune up to being “lucky.”
NBC News reports:
Gov. JB Pritzker won $1.4 million in Vegas playing blackjackIllinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a billionaire, took home $1.4 million in winnings after playing blackjack at a casino in Las Vegas last year, according to a copy of his new tax filing.Pritzker, who is seeking a third term in office and is on the 2028 short list, reported the earnings in his latest tax filing after he played the card game while on a vacation with his wife and some friends, a Pritzker spokesperson said Thursday.The governor will be donating the money to charity, according to his campaign.“I went on vacation with my wife, with some friends. I was incredibly lucky. You have to be to end up ahead, frankly, going to a casino anywhere — it was in Las Vegas — and I like to play cards,” Pritzker told reporters at a news conference Thursday.The governor apparently also likes to play poker, according to his campaign, and founded a charity poker tournament.Pritzker and his wife, MK, reported a total income of $10.6 million in 2024.
Gee, he sure is lucky.
The FOX Business Network has a few more details:
Under Pritzker, who first took office in 2019, gambling has expanded significantly across the Blue State. He signed legislation legalizing sports betting and authorized six new casinos, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.His wealth stems from the Hyatt Hotels Corp chain family fortune, according to Forbes.The Pritzker family has long had ties to the casino industry, and before being elected as governor, JB Pritzker invested in a company with a 1% stake in Elgin’s Grand Victoria Casino. His assets have since been in a blind trust to avoid conflicts of interest, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Oh.
I can’t help but think of the scene in ‘Casino’ where Robert De Niro’s character says, “In the end, we get it all.”
Featured image via Twitter/X video.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY