Pritzker pressed on gambling winnings (Updated)
Thursday, Oct 16, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From earlier…
* From the governor’s press conference today…
Q: On your income, are you concerned that AOC or another potential rival in a presidential primary could use the capital gains, the gambling winnings against you as fodder in the campaign?
Pritzker: No. (Laughs). No. I think people know when I got elected, and have known for some time that, you know, I’m very fortunate in my life. And if they want to use something like that in the campaign, I don’t know, but I’m not, you know, right now I’m focused on running for reelection as governor. That’s the only thing I’m focused on politically, and of course, most importantly in my job as governor today, protecting the people of Illinois from the unlawful acts of Stephen Miller and Donald Trump, Kristi Noem, Tom Homan and Gregory Pavino.
Q: Governor, can you just explain a little more the circumstances of the $1.4 million? That’s some big winnings. Was it a high roller table? Were you gambling millions and millions of dollars?
Pritzker: I, I obviously, I’ve explained this, or at least we did in a statement. You know that 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. And so you know that I founded a charitable poker match here in Chicago called the Chicago Poker Challenge that raises millions, has raised millions of dollars for the Holocaust Museum here, and particularly to stand up for civil rights. That’s much of what the Holocaust Museum does. And so anyway, that’s that’s all I can say about it. Had fun doing it. I encourage people to come to the state of Illinois and gamble in our casinos here, we have some really lovely places to go.
Q: The number that was reported, can you say how much you’ve lost gambling?
Pritzker: I believe that’s a net number. So, yeah, but, but, I mean, it was, it was all, you know, it all happened over one trip and again, it was just, I mean, incredibly lucky. And as you know, most of the time, anybody who’s been to a casino, you win, and you know all of anybody who’s played cards in a casino knows that you know you often play for too long and lose whatever it is that you won. I was fortunate enough to have to leave before that happens.
Q: What was the final hand?
Pritzker: Oh, I don’t remember.
Thoughts?
…Adding… Darren Bailey…
While hardworking Illinois families are stretched thin by record taxes and rising costs, Governor J.B. Pritzker was sitting at the high-roller tables in Las Vegas, winning $1.4 million.
According to his 2024 tax filings, Pritzker reported $1.4 million in gambling winnings from Las Vegas – a snapshot of just how far removed he is from the economic reality most Illinoisans live every day as a result of the Governor’s failed policies.
The Darren Bailey/Aaron Del Mar campaign is issuing the following statement:
“While hard working families are struggling, JB Pritzker is living the high life in Las Vegas. Not only is he gambling with his own money, but he also is gambling away the future of working families. Instead of rolling up his sleeves and working to improve public safety or bringing legislators to the table to lower property taxes in Illinois and solving the state’s pension crisis, JB Pritzker is playing high stakes games in Las Vegas.
We need and deserve a Governor who is focused on the problems of Illinois. The JB Pritzker/Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson cabal has been an abject failure. Both of these inept leaders are making our communities less safe and spending us into bankruptcy. We can’t afford to gamble on Illinois’ future. We need to make the safe bet and elect Darren Bailey and Aaron Del Mar.”
- AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 12:43 pm:
If you’re gonna play the game, boy
You gotta learn to play it right
- Soccermom - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 12:47 pm:
JB
He knows when to hold ‘em, knows when to fold ‘em
- DuPage Saint - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 12:49 pm:
Good for him he can afford it he certainly doesn’t have to apologize for it. I don’t get the thrill of gambling but much like Michael Jordan they must like the game.
- retiredstateemployee - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 12:49 pm:
So what? He’s an adult and free to gamble as he sees fit. And how do we know he did? By releasing his taxes. Something that others are too scared to do.
- LizPhairTax - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 12:56 pm:
I know we are pretty deep into “I never thought I would live in a country that…” times on more important issues, but I never thought I would live in a country where someone would go to Las Vegas, win, pay taxes on their winnings and then have to justify it.
Dude does the same stuff other people do just with many more zeroes attached.
- Mike McDermott - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 12:58 pm:
I flopped the nut straight.
- my kind of town Chicago is..... - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:02 pm:
Was this a one time deal? Does he take his ISP detail to Vegas? How about the years 2021, 22, 23 any mention of gambling winning ( or losses) yes he does have a whole bunch of zeros behind crooked numbers and if you run the numbers a million dollars on a billion dollars is 1/1000th So for someone making 100k a year it would be the same as making 100 dollars.
But whales get comped in Vegas and since they want to establish more gambling in IL it is not a good look.
But it is his inherited money so he can do what he wants with it.
- Soccermom - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:02 pm:
It would be a baller move to use “The Gambler” as his walk-on music
- Think again - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:04 pm:
= He’s an adult and free to gamble as he sees fit.=
Agreed - but his statement below seems to beg more questions - for those of us who gamble, it is quite unusual to be able to win a net $1.4 million in one Vegas trip, especially just playing cards. I suppose he likely was in a very high-stakes room and making crazy big wagers.
“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…. it all happened over one trip”
- West Sider - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:04 pm:
Having survived the pandemic with this Governor, I have long been impressed by Pritzker’s leadership. “He wins actual money at poker” takes his strategic intelligence to another level, and make him someone Illinois can brag about.
- Taco Man - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:05 pm:
Basically, the reporter is asking if he’s a gambling addict, per the incredibly high amount. However, the governor toned down the questioning and shifted to his Chicago Poker Challenge, which he founded.
- City Zen - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:06 pm:
==where someone would go to Las Vegas, win, pay taxes on their winnings and then have to justify it==
If he walked around reeking of marijuana or stumbled out of a bar drunk, both perfectly legal activities, I think it would warrant some questioning. Leadership roles tend to be scrutinized in such ways.
It’s been reported as it should. Now the public will judge.
- Interesting - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:07 pm:
The Governor wins gambling legally = nothing burger.
The House Minority Leader breaks no laws remodeling her office = nothing burger.
As was once a popular ad campaign - where’s the beef?
- Pundent - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:07 pm:
=Dude does the same stuff other people do just with many more zeroes attached.=
I’m much more interested in figuring out how someone can run a casino into bankruptcy and then pass himself off as a business genius. I guess the house doesn’t always win.
- Norseman - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:08 pm:
Post political career - poker professor.
- Phil Hellmuth's Cracked Aces - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:08 pm:
This is such a non-starter. The man has money. He’s free to do with it as he pleases. So he had a good trip and came out way ahead… so what? The amount of opposition material I’ve seen online today about this is absurd.
- Excitable Boy - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:09 pm:
- I flopped the nut straight. -
Exactly, he needs to lean into this with poker lingo. It makes him seem way cooler.
- levivotedforjudy - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:15 pm:
This is one of the best non-stories I’ve heard in a while. A guy worth $3 billion wins $1 million in Vegas. That’s pocket change to JB but when you also think about when his wife rpped the toilets out of the house to save money, you realize his life is very different from most people.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:16 pm:
= is quite unusual to be able to win a net $1.4 million in one Vegas trip, especially just playing cards.=
Not if you are at the right table.
=If he walked around reeking of marijuana or stumbled out of a bar drunk, both perfectly legal activities, I think it would warrant some questioning.=
Actual public intoxication is illegal in many if not all places so is public consumption of cannabis.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:19 pm:
=== Thoughts? ===
My thought yesterday was “Please let it be poker or atleast blackjack, and not keno or horseracing.”
He is going to get more questions, he should welcome more questions, and i would be putting him on podcasts to talk poker and football.
No one is gonna care he won $1.4M, a lot of folks like Joe Rogan are gonna care that he loves doing normal human things like playing cards.
It makes him more relatable and less two-dimensional.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:21 pm:
$1.4 million in black jack winnings is impressive.
I wonder about the stakes in each one of those hands. I’m guessing he’s risking the value of my house (or more) on each hand to get to $1.4 million over a night at the table.
Is it an issue? Could be played as one. If the economy tanks and people are hard up against it, the idea that a guy who can risk millions in a night at a casino is going to be the one you feel has your lived experience in mind to turn it all around might not play so well.
- Notorious JMB - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:22 pm:
That’s a lot of words to downplay that he won more in one trip to Vegas gambling than the median Illinois household will earn in 15 years.
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEHOINUSILA646N
All this as he vies to be the leader of a party whose platform disparages millionaires, billionaires and the 1 percent.
- Save Ferris - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:23 pm:
Lost opportunity. What he should have said:
“Anybody who’s been to a casino knows that the house always has an edge. It’s why it’s almost impossible to bankrupt a casino. You’d have to be a really bad businessman to do that.”
- Pundent - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:24 pm:
=he loves doing normal human things like playing cards.=
And releasing his tax returns.
- City Zen - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:27 pm:
==Actual public intoxication is illegal in many if not all places==
Not true, sheriff.
==so is public consumption of cannabis==
You don’t have to partake in public to reek in public. Take it from someone who rides the CTA frequently.
==Today his spokesman says the Las Vegas blackjack winnings will be donated==
JB had over a year to donate the winnings. Why now?
- Soccermom - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:30 pm:
CALLING PRITZKERMEMES! CALLING PRITZKERMEMES!
- JS Mill - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:52 pm:
=Not true, sheriff.=
I am not a sheriff, just an educator. Who knows your analogy was silly.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:54 pm:
===I am not a sheriff===
Public intoxication is not illegal in Nevada.
Now please move along.
- Anon - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 1:55 pm:
This is equivalent to .02% of his net worth. For anyone else, this wouldn’t be a story. The governor is rich. Everyone knows that. Moving along.
- Ted Dancin - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:08 pm:
I just watched the presser. Not convincing. Comes off as oily and insincere. Bet the Holocaust could’ve used that money in 2024 instead of waiting until now when the winnings were made public.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:09 pm:
I have always believed it is better to teach people the value of gambling responsibly than pretending it is not a normal activity that human beings enjoy. With Pritzker’s wealth, these are the stakes he should play at. To me, it is literally WASPy and Puritanical to fault him for his hobby.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:11 pm:
===Q: What was the final hand? Pritzker: Oh, I don’t remember.===
I don’t believe this for a second
- Dotnonymous x - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:13 pm:
Casinos quiver with delight…when the focus is on a big winner…have no doubt.
- Excitable Boy - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:15 pm:
- If he walked around reeking of marijuana or stumbled out of a bar drunk, both perfectly legal activities, I think it would warrant some questioning. -
On the job? Sure. On vacation? Dude can relax as he sees fit.
- Excitable Boy - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:16 pm:
- Bet the Holocaust could’ve used that money in 2024 instead of waiting until now -
Hilarious typo aside, give me a freakin break. You’re questioning his generosity to the museum he helped found?
- Dotnonymous x - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:17 pm:
Rich people are rich…breaking news?
- Harrison - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:20 pm:
Come on who has won over a million dollars gambling in a weekend and remembers how they did it?
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas
- Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:26 pm:
At the baccarat table, Vinny moans, “ I hope they don’t send me to collect on myself.”
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:27 pm:
===Rich people are rich…breaking news?===
I do find it funny that so many progressives are making light of this.
- Casper the Ghost Bus - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:42 pm:
He won $1.4 million AND Pat Quinn has to mow his lawn.
- DuPage Saint - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:43 pm:
Given the history of this state it is a good thing he was at a casino and not one of our horse tracks
- North Side sox fan - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:44 pm:
I think I don’t care.
- SAP - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:47 pm:
As long as it was not at a casino that is under common ownership or affiliated with any casinos licensed to do business in Illinois, I do not see the problem. If there is common ownership/affiliation, it certainly creates an appearance of impropriety.
- Rounder - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:48 pm:
Q: The number that was reported, can you say how much you’ve lost gambling?
Pritzker: I believe that’s a net number….
———-
Casinos report gross winnings to IRS, not net, so $1.4 million would only be net if he also itemized losses. Haven’t seen the full returns, but it’s a fair question: did he itemize losses? If not, it’s reasonable to expect that given how much he likes to play cards, and apparently for huge stakes, he may have losses that he chooses not to itemize because that would look bad, but nothing he can do about a big gross win because it gets auto-reported.
- K3 - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:50 pm:
This will most certainly be used in a Presidential primary. It’s not a relevant issue at all, but it could be used as part of a larger argument that he’s out of touch.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:50 pm:
I like JB as governor but this story lessens my esteem for him.
Makes me worry if he could have a gambling problem given his public discussion about addiction issues in his family. Betting enough at blackjack to win $1.4 million is crazy to me.
Not knowing what hand you had when you won over a million bucks? Also crazy to me.
Another thing is it makes me wonder what casino he was gambling in and was it owned by a company that Illinois regulates? I mean the governor appoints people to the gaming board right? Not a good look.
And finally to the political aspect of things, if him winning this much on gambling is so embarrassing he is donating the winnings after it becomes public on his taxes then why didn’t he just bet a bunch of money on an improbable Chicago sports team victory and then lose the $ so it wouldn’t even be on the tax return?
I don’t get this whole deal at all.
- Occasionally Moderated - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:55 pm:
You win $1.4 million and donate it to a great cause.
You are the coolest guy in the room, full stop.
He should grow a bro beard and start a podcast, it’s that type of cool.
How can anyone criticise this and expect to be taken seriously.
- Jack in Chatham - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:56 pm:
How do we know this is actually gambling winnings? It could easily be a payoff.
- Harrison - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 2:59 pm:
This is 13% of his earnings for the year and we still have no idea how much income he received from the off shore trusts shielded from scrutiny.
- Wayne Campbell - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 3:00 pm:
==How do we know this is actually gambling winnings? It could easily be a payoff.==
Yeah, and monkeys might fly out of my butt.
- Occasionally Moderated - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 3:02 pm:
==How do we know this is actually gambling winnings? It could easily be a payoff.==
Donating it to a good cause is a clue to be considered. Sheesh.
- Gruntled University Employee - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 3:07 pm:
To put it into perspective, this is like someone that makes $40K a year, leaving Vegas $14.00 up.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 3:18 pm:
=How do we know this is actually gambling winnings? It could easily be a payoff.=
He paid taxes on it is also another good clue. Most crooks don’t pay taxes on bribes.
- Harrison - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 3:23 pm:
Math is hard it not that hard
JB declared income of 10.7 million, 1.4 million of which was from gambling
His fortune is 3.9 billion
- The apologist - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 3:23 pm:
In other news, a cat was stuck in a tree … and studies show that water is wet.
- Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 3:36 pm:
So much pearl clutching over JB’s time and winnings at a casino. Have all the confidence to state JB will not spend time on the dance floor of the Dirksen Federal Building like other former governors.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 3:38 pm:
==His fortune is 3.9 billion==
That’s his worth. We don’t get taxed on our worth. But nice try with your usual diversion. Just stop already.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 4:15 pm:
Not JB’s game was mentioned, but if you watch the Texas Hold’em tournaments pots there get to $1 million plus with a lot o bust outs sitting at Top Table.
And Speakin’of GOPies (1)Has GOPieLeader ToniMAC provided an office tour? We remember Shock’s was a doozey.
And Speakin’of GOPies(2) we remember GovJunk releasing a tax return claiming a loss on farm
investment. It was largely missed by media. But it got a laugh — like most of what he did.
- Pundent - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 4:19 pm:
=JB declared income of 10.7 million, 1.4 million of which was from gambling.=
And yet it’s the release of his tax returns that allows you to do that math. I for one appreciate that transparency. Maybe others could follow his lead?
- SAW - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 4:20 pm:
I don’t love seeing this as someone who is very much against the gambling industry. With everything else going on in the state/country right now, this feels like small potatoes.
- StarLineChicago - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 4:28 pm:
I’d much rather see our Governor’s tax forms claim $1.4 million in gambling winnings than claim a $1.4 million gambling loss.
- Don’t Argue With a Man Named Jens - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 4:38 pm:
JB says he likes to play cards and that it’s hard to beat the house.
Why didn’t his tax returns from previous years show any gambling wins or losses?
Before any of us in Illinois know any more on this, Gavin Newsom will have the whole scoop.
- Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 4:55 pm:
More whine and cheese from Darren Bailey. So many words yet Bailey makes so little sense. Bailey’s “pick me” persona is tiresome.
- Astrovan - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 6:10 pm:
Maybe not the best look for our Gov but at least we get to see his tax returns unlike someone else I can think of. Next time put it all on red, sure to be a loser.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 6:12 pm:
=== I do find it funny that so many progressives are making light of this. ===
I once won $300 at a bar playing Connect-4.
To me, being a progressive does not mean being against wealth.
It means being for a system that rewards people who work hard and play by the rules.
And against a system where being wealthy means the rules do not apply to you.
Blackjack is a level playing field (for everyone but the House) that obviously involves considerable luck.
Pritzker beat the House. Kudos to him.
- Dotnonymous x - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 6:16 pm:
- I do find it funny that so many progressives are making light of this. -
I believe I am closer to a malcontent?
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 6:19 pm:
To the Update:
Darren “Teetotaler” Bailey is totally out of touch.
From a 2024 survey:
55% of American adults gamble.
21% have been to a casino in the last year.
88% consider casino gambling acceptable.
https://www.americangaming.org/resources/american-attitudes-towards-gaming-2024/
- FormerParatrooper - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 6:54 pm:
His money. He can gamble if he wants. If he was using our tax money, then I could see people getting upset. He didn’t, so what’s the big deal?
- low level - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 6:57 pm:
== We need to make the safe bet and elect Darren Bailey and Aaron Del Mar.==
lol. Hilarious. Who are they paying to write this stuff?
- The Dude - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 7:13 pm:
He should have full on embraced it and say he’s really good at gambling because he analyzes the game or something.
Besides his hair its about the only other thing im proud of him for.
- Give Us Barabbas - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 7:33 pm:
As long as he remembers the nest egg principle, and that the Desert Inn has heart, he’s going to be okay. I wonder if he has a “tell”. Based on the story, maybe not, which is useful during negotiations.
It’s also amusing to tisk-tisk him about unseemly vice from Springfield where you are never more than a mile from poker machines and slot machines. Our capital might match Reno for number of machines.
I’m against casinos because they vacuum up local money and transport most of it out of state, where it can’t do our citizens any good. But I recognize people have a right to make bad decisions or risk their own money.
I might start calling JB Le Chiffre, if he ever tries his hand at baccarat.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 8:29 pm:
Bailey criticizing Prizker for taking a vacation is precious given trumps golf schedule.
Bailey Complaining about pritzker’s winning is precious given how many millions of hard working Illinoians dollars he has taken in the form of farm subsidies since Bailey can’t run a profitable farm without our tax dollars.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 8:31 pm:
If i could define the terms of the next election, I would say that Democrats just want to enjoy Life, and Republicans want everyone to be as miserable as they are.
Democrats are protesting by dressing up as Frogs and bicycling naked.
Republicans are arrresting street vendors and firing missiles at California.
Pritzker’s “Wild weekend in Vegas” with his wife fits perfectly into that narrative, while Darren Bailey shakes his fist at the sky.
- Just a Random Guy - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 9:30 pm:
=this is like someone that makes $40K a year, leaving Vegas $14.00 up.=
File this under “Fun with Numbers”. While you may be right, you’re totally missing the point. $14 is nothing to most adult Americans. $1,400,000 is a WHOLE LOT. Do I care that JB did this? No, not at all. But it’s not really a good look to the average person IMO.
Regarding “progressives”, it’s the usual hyperpartisanship and totally predictable.
- Norseman - Thursday, Oct 16, 25 @ 9:54 pm:
The people who buy this as an issue wouldn’t vote for Pritzker anyway. He did nothing illegal and frankly I’m impressed with his skill to win that much money.