Techme101.com

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who is a billionaire, won about $1.4 million gambling at a Las Vegas casino last year, according to his latest tax filing.
A spokesperson said the Democratic governor, who’s running for a third term and is also on the 2028 presidential short list, made the money playing blackjack during a vacation with his wife and some friends.
The casino winnings come on top of $4.2 million in capital gains, almost $3.9 million in dividends, and more than $800,000 in taxable interest. Pritzker doesn’t take a salary for his work as governor.
His campaign said he plans to donate the gambling winnings to charity.
“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 enjoys playing poker too, according to his campaign, and even started a charity poker tournament.
In total, Pritzker and his wife, MK, reported an income of $10.6 million for 2024.

Pritzker reveals his gambling tax details after legislation changes
Gambling has grown quickly in Illinois during Pritzker’s time as governor. In 2019, he signed a law that legalized sports betting, approved six new casinos, and expanded the number of slot machines in bars and restaurants. The move helped fund his $45 billion infrastructure plan.
Pritzker’s family, whose fortune comes from the Hyatt hotel chain, has been connected to the casino industry for decades. Before he was first elected in 2018, Pritzker invested in a company that owned a small, 1% share of Elgin’s Grand Victoria Casino.
With an estimated net worth of about $3.9 billion, Pritzker no longer has any direct stake in gambling businesses. His assets are held in a blind trust, meaning he can still benefit financially but isn’t involved in managing the investments, which helps avoid conflicts of interest.
Pritzker and his wife, MK, paid nearly $3.7 million in federal taxes and more than $869,000 in state taxes for 2024. They also donated $3.3 million to charity last year, according to his campaign.
Last year was Pritzker’s highest-earning year since 2021. Over the years, he’s spent hundreds of millions of dollars funding his own political campaigns as well as supporting other Democrats across the country.
Featured image: ABC via YouTube
The post Illinois Gov. Pritzker hits $1.4M jackpot as gambling tax returns deal winning hand appeared first on ReadWrite.

The National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG) has released the results from a statewide poll it conducted in Maryland. According to the survey, 71% of Marylanders oppose online gambling in some capacity.
The poll originally saw only 52% of takers opposing iGaming, but this rose as discussions about the “continuous, 24/7 casino access on smartphones” took place. This saw opposition rise to 60%, and 48% changed to “strongly opposed”. Further discussions took place, which then saw the number rise to 71% with 64% strongly opposed.
Gambling has seen a steady rise in the US as more states rescind restrictions on different styles of gambling. In 2018, the Supreme Court decided to allow sports gambling across the country based on how the state decides. More states have since begun to open up to online gambling, but only 17 as of right now allow for online gambling.
Despite this, other research has found that most gambling in the US takes place offshore through illicit operators or unregulated businesses. This number was around 74%, as regardless of whether or not the state allows for online gambling, it’s almost always accessible. The trend online of filming someone using Stake to pay for something in the moment is a good example.
“Nearly half” of polled in Maryland didn’t know what iGaming was
One bizarre addition to the information given is that “nearly half of Maryland voters (49%) said they have never even heard of iGaming until it was defined for them.” Once they’d had it explained to them that iGaming or iGaming simply means online gambling, their opinions changed.
Speaking in the press release, Jason Gumer, NAAiG Board Member and Executive Vice President & General Counsel at Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc., said:
“These results show that once Marylanders understand what iGambling really is, they strongly reject it.
“Policymakers should take note: voters are deeply concerned about the risks to children, families and communities.”
Featured image: National Association Against iGaming
The post National Association Against iGaming finds 71% oppose iGaming in Maryland appeared first on ReadWrite.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has made its stance on sports event contracts very clear, as it issues a firm warning to licensees.
On Wednesday (October 15), the regulator published a notice assigned to all licensees and interested persons and stated that it “is aware that licensees or affiliates have expressed interest in offering so-called “sports event contracts,” either in Nevada or other U.S. jurisdictions.”
These event contracts relate to markets where people are able to bet on the outcome of a specific event, like the winner of a sports championship or an award evening. The offerings are often formatted for putting money on by selecting either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ outcomes.
The board suggests it considers event contracts as constituting wagering activity, with wagering occurring whether the contract is listed on an exchange regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or elsewhere.
Nevada becomes another latest state to warn gambling licensees
They further confirm that sports and other event contracts “may be conducted in Nevada only if the offering entity possesses a nonrestricted gaming license with sports pool approval in Nevada and meets the other requirements for sports wagering including, without limitation, wagering accounts and sports book systems.”
An example of event contracts has been shared, with these being based on the outcome or partial outcome of any sporting or athletic event, or other selected events such as the World Series of Poker, the Oscars, Esports, and political elections.
Nevada isn’t the first state to make their stance known, with the Arizona Department of Gaming having already warned licensed operators against offering prediction markets. It was back in September when operators were advised that offering event contracts or even partnering with such platforms to enable the activity “outside the framework of state gambling laws” could result in serious enforcement.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission has also issued a similar letter, with this having taken place in August.
Featured Image: Credit to Famartin on Wikimedia Commons
The post Nevada regulator issues firm stance on sports event contracts appeared first on ReadWrite.

MGM Resorts International announced yesterday that it would sell off its Northfield Park location in Ohio for $546 million. It’s being sold to an affiliate of private funds managed by Clairvest Group, and the deal will be done entirely in cash. It comes as MGM Resorts also unexpectedly pulled out of its New York casino bid race.
Clairvest has a portfolio that includes other gaming investments, mainly from the casino perspective. The portfolio contains The Nash Casino, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, and Delaware Park Casino. Over the years, they’ve invested in 36 different gaming assets.
As a part of the deal, VICI Properties has entered into a new separate lease with the affiliate behind the purchase. Speaking in the VICI Properties press release, John Payne, President and Chief Operating Officer of VICI Properties, said:
“This transaction is yet another example of VICI’s ability to collaborate with new and existing partners for mutually beneficial outcomes.
“We are excited to add our 14th tenant, and based on Clairvest’s track record in North American gaming, we believe in their ability to maintain Northfield Park’s strong competitive standing in Ohio gaming.”
After everything is said and done, MGM expects to see a total of approximately $420 million. The location itself managed to earn approximately $137 million in 12 months after adjustments. MGM acquired it back in 2018 from Hard Rock, which had it under its Rocksino brand, and they paid $275 million.
MGM Resorts International CEO weighs in on sale
Speaking in the press release, Bill Hornbuckle, CEO & President, MGM Resorts International, said:
“I want to thank our MGM Northfield Park employees who have consistently delivered world-class gaming and entertainment experiences to our guests. This is a great property with great opportunity ahead.
“At MGM Resorts, our vision is to be the world’s premiere gaming entertainment company. To achieve this vision, we’re focused on growing our digital business, developing our international expansion opportunities, and continuing to invest in our leading integrated resorts domestically.”
Jonathan Halkyard, CFO & Treasurer, MGM Resorts International, added:
“This is an excellent result for MGM Resorts and demonstrates consistency in driving transaction multiples at meaningful premiums over where MGM Resorts currently trades.
“The divestiture underscores MGM Resorts’ exceptional financial stewardship, delivering substantial value well beyond the original acquisition price.
“We appreciate VICI, as the real estate owner of MGM Northfield Park, working constructively with Clairvest to facilitate a new lease agreement.”
MGM expects the deal to close in the first half of 2026, as long as regulators back the deal.
Featured image: MGM Resorts International
The post MGM sells off Ohio Northfield Park casino for $546 million appeared first on ReadWrite.