Meet the gambling titans on Forbes World’s Billionaires list
The gambling industry has been a significant wealth generator for decades, with both physical and online casinos raking in billions annually. The rapid growth of internet gambling sites and mobile sports betting apps has generated unprecedented wealth for digital gaming business owners. From software firms to gambling establishments, tech-based gaming has produced a new generation of billionaires. The most recent Forbes lists capture just how ubiquitous this industry continues to be, with several billionaires having their fortunes tied to gambling operations.
Forbes world’s billionaires list highlights top industry leaders
- Miriam Adelson & Family – Rank: 56, Net Worth: $32.1 Billion: At the age of 79, Miriam Adelson, widow of the late Sheldon Adelson, controls a majority stake in Las Vegas Sands. Despite selling assets in Las Vegas, the company remains a global casino powerhouse, with operations in Macau and Singapore.
- Johann Graf – Rank: 274, Net Worth: $9.9 Billion: As the founder of Novomatic, an Austrian gambling machine manufacturer, Johann Graf has built a fortune through gaming equipment used in casinos worldwide.
- Karel Komarek – Rank: 302, Net Worth: $9.4 Billion: At the age of 56, Komarek’s wealth is derived from a diversified portfolio that includes oil, IT, and most notably, the lottery business. His influence spans across Europe and beyond.
- Denise Coates – Rank: 443, Net Worth: $7.3 Billion: Co-founder of Bet365, she has established herself as one of the most successful figures in online gambling. Her business model has revolutionised sports betting and digital casinos.
- Teddy Sagi – Rank: 581, Net Worth: $7.1 Billion: With a fortune rooted in gambling software, Teddy Sagi has played a key role in developing online casino platforms that power major gambling operators worldwide.
- Mark Scheinberg – Rank: 581, Net Worth: $6 Billion: Scheinberg co-founded PokerStars, one of the largest online poker platforms in history, solidifying his place among gambling industry billionaires.
- Jon Yarbrough – Rank: 823, Net Worth: $4.4 Billion: At 67 years old, Jon Yarbrough hails from the United States and has made his fortune in the gambling and casino industry. He is the founder of Video Gaming Technologies, a company that specialises in creating electronic gaming machines for casinos.
- Pansy Ho – Rank: 902, Net Worth: $4 Billion: Ho is a major shareholder in MGM China and is the daughter of the late Macau casino tycoon Stanley Ho. As a major player in the Macau casino market, Ho has leveraged her family’s influence to dominate the industry.
- Steve Wynn – Rank: 979, Net Worth: $3.7 Billion: Wynn is the founder of Wynn Resorts and played a crucial role in developing modern-day Las Vegas and Macau as major casino hubs. A casino magnate known for luxury resorts, Wynn remains a significant figure in the gaming industry.
- Ed Craven & Bijan Tehrani – Rank: 1305, Net Worth: $2.8 Billion: These young entrepreneurs have capitalised on the online casino market, proving that digital gambling is the future of the industry. Ed Craven is from Australia and has made his fortune in the online casino industry. Bijan Tehrani is from the United States and has built his wealth through online gambling platforms.
- John Coates – Rank: 1408, Net Worth: $2.6 Billion: Coates is from the United Kingdom and has made his fortune in the online gambling industry. He is the co-CEO of Bet365, alongside his sister Denise Coates.
- Paul Gauselmann & Family – Rank: 1573, Net Worth: $2.3 Billion: Paul Gauselmann, at 90 years old, has made his fortune in the gambling and casino industry as the founder of Gauselmann Group, a German gambling machine manufacturer.
- William Boyd & Family – Rank: 1573, Net Worth: $2.3 Billion: William Boyd, at 93 years old, has made his fortune in the casinos and banking industries. Boyd founded Boyd Gaming, one of the largest casino operators in the U.S.
- Elaine Wynn – Rank: 1763, Net Worth: $2 Billion: Elaine Wynn has made her fortune in the casinos and hotels industries. She is the co-founder of Wynn Resorts and was formerly married to Steve Wynn.
Global growth of the gambling sector
The Forbes list showcases the wide-ranging nature of the gambling and casino sector, covering everything from traditional land-based casinos to the booming online gambling industry. It also includes the technologies that support the industry, such as gambling software and machines, as well as related fields like lotteries, sports betting, and even the crossover with video games and Pachinko.
The international online gambling industry is estimated to be worth between $76.79 billion and $95.5 billion in 2024. The market will grow substantially, with an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) ranging from 7.1 percent to 11.7 percent over the next several years. By 2030/2033, the market size is estimated to hit between $153.57 billion and $172.8 billion, showing a healthy growth curve.
With countries like the UK, Austria, and the Czech Republic producing multiple billionaires, Europe remains a powerhouse in gambling. From Japan’s Pachinko industry to Macau’s casino hub, Asia is a critical player in the gambling sector. Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and the rise of online gambling in the U.S. and Canada are driving new gaming billionaires.
