

The global gambling market grew to more than $500 billion in 2021, making it one of the most profitable industries in the world. While some gaming venues are small neighbourhood establishments, others are renowned internationally and attract players in droves, which might make you wonder who the richest casino owners are, as they certainly enjoy more than a few slices of the pie.
Lui Che Woo, Johann Graf, Phil Ruffin, and Elaine Wynn all have a well-deserved place in the highest echelons of the moguls who made a fortune from gaming. How much do casino owners make? Find out below.
After Sheldon Adelson’s death in January 2021, Hong Kong’s Lui Che Woo claimed the top spot on the list of the wealthiest casino owners in the world. Initially a construction material supplier, he later discovered an interest in gambling that went beyond playing Baccarat and other games.
Woo approached Adelson with a view to investing in developing a casino, but that came to nothing after the two had a disagreement. He took full ownership of the casino, which ultimately resulted in his net worth growing to approximately $12.5 billion.
Johann Graf is the founder and owner of Novomatic Group, and he takes the second place on the list of the world’s richest casino owners. He initially worked as an apprentice in a butcher’s shop, but rather than face a lifetime of working with raw meat, he started importing American pinball machines to Austria via Belgium before starting work for a British slot machine company.
Graf eventually went independent and founded Novomatic, which operates casinos around the world and manufactures land-based and online slots, electronic table games, and Video Poker machines. Graf’s company went from strength to strength, and watched his fortune grow to an incredible $6.7 billion.
Phil Ruffin is a shining example in answering the question, “How much do casino owners make?” He became an entrepreneur when he dropped out of college and started selling hamburgers with a few friends. However, rather than face a lifetime in fast food, Ruffin explored other avenues.
Ruffin now owns Treasure Island Hotel & Casino as well as 50% of Trump International Las Vegas, his business partner there being none other than Donald Trump. In addition to investing in casinos, he also owns hotels, office parks, and strip malls. His net worth is an estimated $2.1 billion.
Also known as the Queen of Las Vegas, Elaine Wynn became Wynn Resorts’ largest shareholder in March 2018, when her ex-husband Steve Wynn resigned as CEO amid allegations of sexual misconduct. While still married, she and her then-husband founded Mirage Resorts and opened a number of successful casinos together.
Wynn, whose fortune is an estimated $1.9 billion, played an important role in expanding and revitalising the famous Las Vegas Strip. Today, she’s one of the richest casino owners globally.