Pritzker Rakes in Millions from Gambling While Expanding Illinois Casinos

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker just revealed that he and his wife hauled in a staggering $10.3 million in 2024 including over $1.4 million in gambling winnings at the same time he continues to shape and expand Illinois’ gaming industry. With eyes reportedly set on a third term and whispers of a future White House run, Pritzker’s newly disclosed earnings are drawing sharp scrutiny, and for good reason.

According to his partial tax records, Pritzker scored $1.425 million from gambling, much of it reportedly at a Las Vegas casino blackjack table. This isn’t some fluke lottery ticket this is a man profiting handsomely from the very industry he helped unleash in his home state. The timing is almost too perfect: massive legislative wins for Illinois’ gaming sector, followed by an enormous personal jackpot.

The backdrop makes this even more troubling:

• In 2019, Pritzker championed a $45 billion infrastructure plan that included a dramatic expansion of gambling across Illinois: legal sports betting, six new casinos, and racetrack gaming.

• That plan was pitched as a way to recapture gambling dollars lost to neighboring states and fund state priorities but also massively boosted the influence of the gaming industry.

• In just one year, Pritzker's income tripled, jumping from $3.2 million in 2023 to $10.3 million in 2024 highlighting a direct personal windfall just as election season heats up.

Of course, Pritzker claims he doesn’t draw a salary as governor. But that’s beside the point. His wealth, much of it from family trusts linked to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, continues to shield him from real accountability. The latest disclosure says his trusts paid $4.5 million in Illinois taxes and $30.2 million in federal taxes, and he insists his investments are in a "blind trust" controlled by an independent manager.

But critics aren’t buying it. Even with an independent trustee, Pritzker is fully aware of the policies he’s pushing and the industries they benefit. And when the same governor who signed one of the most aggressive gambling expansions in the country walks away with seven figures in personal gaming profits, voters have every right to ask: is this leadership, or legalized looting?

This isn’t just about appearances it’s about ethics. A sitting governor helping greenlight casino growth while reaping the personal rewards raises red flags, especially as Illinois continues to struggle with real issues like crime, budget shortfalls, and declining population.

The data speaks for itself: Illinois lost over 37,000 residents last year, and its bond ratings still hover near the bottom of the 50 states. While families struggle to make ends meet, Pritzker is racking up blackjack wins and counting millions.

What’s more, the disclosure was partial meaning voters still don’t have a full picture. And as Pritzker positions himself for higher office, they deserve answers.

As Election Day approaches, Illinoisans must ask whether they want a governor who’s turned public office into a playground of personal enrichment or whether it’s time to finally call this what it is: corruption dressed up as reform.

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