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The two-term Democrat, often mentioned as a 2028 presidential
candidate, told reporters in Chicago on Thursday that he drew
charmed hands in blackjack during a vacation with first lady MK
Pritzker and friends in Sin City.
“I was incredibly lucky,” he said. “You have to be to end up
ahead, frankly, going to a casino anywhere.”
Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt hotel chain, has a net worth of
$3.9 billion, tied for No. 382 on the Forbes 400 list of the
nation's richest people. A campaign spokesperson said via email
that Pritzker planned to donate the money to charity but did not
respond when asked why he hadn't already done so.
Pritzker, who intends to seek a third term in 2026, was under
consideration as a vice presidential running mate to Kamala
Harris last year. He has deflected questions about any ambition
beyond the Illinois governor's mansion. But he has used his
personal wealth to fund other Democrats and related efforts,
including a campaign to protect access to abortion.
His profile has gotten an additional bump this fall as he
condemns President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement in the
Chicago area and the president's attempt to deploy National
Guard troops there.
The Pritzkers reported income of $10.66 million in 2024, mostly
from dividends and capital gains. They paid $1.6 million in
taxes on taxable income of $5.87 million.
Pritzker is an avid card player whose charitable Chicago Poker
Challenge has raised millions of dollars for the Holocaust
Museum and Education Center. The Vegas windfall was a “net
number" given wins and losses on one trip, he said. He declined
to say what his winning hand was.
“Anybody who’s played cards in a casino, 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.”
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Associated Press writer Sophia Tareen contributed from Chicago.
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