The 10 Richest Casino Owners in the World
In our previous article, we explored the latest online casino bonuses that players simply can’t afford to miss. Now, we’re shifting focus from the players to the moguls behind the scenes — those who built billion-dollar gambling empires. Join us as we uncover the 10 richest casino owners in the world, and learn how they turned luck into legacy.
Casinos are not just a fun place to hang out and chill with friends while trying their luck on games, it has also been a huge money-making opportunity for several top-profile businessmen across the world.
There are numerous global casino giants and tycoons who control most of the popular and affluent casino brands that operate all across the world.
And, in this article, we will take a close look at the top people who have amassed the most wealth through the casino business. Here is the list of the top 10 richest casino owners in the world.
1. Sheldon Adelson
Sheldon Adelson is often referred to as the Casino King due to his long-term vision of expanding Las Vegas Sands to greater heights.
He owned several mega luxurious properties in high-profile resorts of Las Vegas, Singapore, and even Macau. His casino centers often included other luxury amenities like shopping centers, entertainment zones, and even convention centers.
It was he who single-handedly transformed the casino landscape of Las Vegas and made the city famous for what it is today.
2. Lui Che Woo
Lui Che Woo was the founder of the affluent Galaxy Entertainment Group that owns several casinos in Macau. He was previously involved in other businesses like property and hospitality.
But, quickly turned his attention and focus to expanding his casino business once Macau allowed casino operations on its soil. Galaxy is today one of the top casino operators in Macau, with a billion dollars worth of revenue each year.
It is because of this casino group that today, Macau has even surpassed Las Vegas in overall casino revenue being generated annually.
3. Denise Coates
Denise Coates is the founder and current co-CEO of the world-famous casino platform called Bet365. She started Bet365 in 2001 after having purchased the domain just the previous year by paying a whopping $25,000.
Bet365 has brought many major innovations to the online casino industry. It has also played a major role in expanding the popularity of online casinos by offering highly engaging online casino games.
Coates’s current net worth is estimated to be around $ 9 B. She spends a lot of her fortune on charity and philanthropy.
4. Johann Graf
Johann Graf is the richest man in Austria, who has built most of his fortune through the casino business. He started his early business days by running pinball machine shops.
Eventually, he went on to found Novomatic in the year 1980. And, since then, this brand has become a global casino giant that has a presence in more than 50 countries.
Graf’s current total assets can be calculated to be around $10B, making him one of the richest casino owners in the world.
5. Stanley Ho
Stanley Ho is another highly influential casino business tycoon from Macau. He was one of the pioneers who transformed Macau into the number one gambling region of the world.
He owned STDM, which operates numerous flagship casinos under many names. His casinos are visited by millions every year and generate billions of dollars in revenue.
His contributions to the economy of Macau are still not forgotten, and people now refer to him as the ‘Gambling Godfather of Macau.’
6. Steve Wynn
Steve Wynn has played a major part in the development of casino infrastructure and its popularity in Las Vegas. He is the founder of Wynn Resorts, which owns several casino landmarks such as Bellagio, Encore, and The Mirage.
His vision was to give importance to the overall ambience and architecture of his casinos, which is why they often had luxury dining, global art pieces, and premium services.
He has also successfully managed to enter and make a mark in the Macau market despite having fierce competition from the local players.
7. James Packer
James Packer inherited the Packer Media Dynasty from his Father in 2006. And, since then, he has diverted his company’s direction from media to gambling and casinos.
He owns Crown Resorts, which operates in multiple Australian cities and even in London. It has also entered the Macau casino space by partnering with Melco International.
However, Parker’s life has not been away from controversies. He was often accused of not following regulatory practices and avoiding tax compliance.
Due to declining mental health, he sold his stocks in 2022. His net worth in 2025 can be estimated at $ 3.3 B.
8. Philip Ruffin
Philip Ruffin ventured into his business era by starting self-service gas stations. Then, he moved on to owning several convenience stores, hotels, and manufacturing trucks.
Finally, he found his perfect venture in the form of Casinos in the 1990s. He purchased the New Frontier Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for $165M and sold it later for $ 1.2 B.
His net worth in 2025 is estimated to be $ 4.6 B.
9. Mark Scheinberg
Mark Scheinberg is the founder of PokerStars, which made him a Billionaire in his thirties. He is of Canadian-Israeli descent. His casino platform, PokerStars, began in 2001 and since then has served millions of casino players globally.
He sold PokerStars in 2014 for $ 4.9 B. Now, he is focused on luxury real estate properties.
10. Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta
Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta are a famous brother duo known for buying UFC and expanding it into a global phenomenon. They then went on to found Red Rock Resorts to host luxury casino games.
Their resorts have the most premium amenities and focus on delivering world-class service to their guests. Casinos are just a part of the entertainment.
Today, Red Rocks Resorts have become an ideal spot to experience the blend of a premium luxury environment with fun casino games.
Final Words
Running a successful casino business is very tough, especially as it’s always a top priority for government surveillance.
Businessmen who invest in casinos are taking huge risks because the policies surrounding gambling can make or break the entire industry at any point.
Even then, people who have managed to build large amounts of wealth for themselves should be commended for their risk-taking abilities and hard work.
These business tycoons are often considered a source of inspiration for many budding entrepreneurs who want to replicate their success.
