US governor wins $1.4m playing blackjack in Las Vegas

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's recent tax filing has revealed a stunning windfall of $1.4m won while playing blackjack in Las Vegas last year, catapulting his already substantial net worth to an astonishing $3.9bn.

During a trip with his wife and friends, the two-term Democrat reportedly walked away from the table a winner, beating the odds on a single hand that has yet to be disclosed. Pritzker attributed his good fortune to being in at the right time, stating "anybody who's played cards in a casino knows, you often play for too long and lose whatever it is you won." The governor's incredible luck earned him an additional $1m of which £1m has been paid out.

According to Forbes, Pritzker already boasts a net worth of $3.9bn (£2.9bn), making him one of the wealthiest governors in the US. His inheritance comes from his family's significant stake in the Hyatt Hotel fortune.

Pritzker has used his considerable wealth to back charitable causes through several initiatives including founding a Chicago Poker Challenge that has raised millions of dollars for various Illinois-based charities, such as the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.

While it is reported that he plans on donating the $1.4m to charity, no further details have been released regarding when or why this will occur.

I'm low-key shocked that our governor is raking in that kind of cash from a single blackjack hand ! I mean, it's not like he was playing for peanuts . Guess you could say his luck was on point . I'm all about supporting the charitable causes he's backing, especially that Chicago Poker Challenge . He's already doing some great work with Illinois-based charities. Let's hope that $1.4m donation is put to good use !

I'm not surprised that JB Pritzker hit a major win in Vegas his family's connections to the Hyatt Hotel fortune have always raised an eyebrow. I mean, it's not like he's broke his net worth is already massive, but $1.4m on blackjack? That's just insane! I'm all for him giving back to charity though especially with that Chicago Poker Challenge he founded - it's great to see wealthy folks using their resources for good. But come on, £1m of the winnings has been paid out already? It seems like there's a bit more to this story than just Pritzker being his usual lucky self...

This dude's luck is insane! I mean, who wins £1.4m playing blackjack? It's like hitting a jackpot at a casino . But you know what's even crazier? His net worth is already $3.9bn and he's only 40 years old! That's some next-level wealth right there. I'm not complaining or anything, but it makes me wonder how many people have to work hard for that kind of money . And yeah, it's cool that he's using his wealth for good too - supporting charities like the Illinois Holocaust Museum is awesome .

OMG u guys lol Pritzker's blackjack win is INSANE! $3.9bn?! that's like, wow I mean I'm glad he's using his wealth for good causes tho especially the Chicago Poker Challenge it's so cool that he's raising money for those Illinois-based charities we should totes follow him on social media so we can see more of what he's up to

I mean, I guess it's pretty cool that JB Pritzker hit a big win in Vegas ! But, honestly, who doesn't know that casinos are rigged? Like, you gotta be lucky to even make it out with your shirt on . And $3.9 billion is wild - I mean, I wish he'd use some of that to fix our crumbling schools and roads here in IL . Still, kudos to him for giving back to his community through the Chicago Poker Challenge . Maybe someone from my kid's class could get a scholarship out of it? Fingers crossed!

What's up with this guy? 3.9 billion dollars and he's still a politician lol I mean, can you imagine being able to donate that kind of cash to whatever causes you want? Problem solved for him and all his constituents. And yeah, it's cool that he's using his wealth for good, but shouldn't he have done that from the start? Like, why wait till he hits a windfall like this? Anyway, I guess you've got to admire the dude's luck (and family connections)

omg i'm dead!!! like, who knew governor pritzker was a blackjack rockstar?! and £3.9bn is just insane he's literally living his best life with that kind of cash! and i love how he's using it to give back to the community - chicago poker challenge is such a cool idea can't wait to see him donate that £1.4m to charity

omg can you believe JB Pritzker's luck is insane I mean I know he's rich and all but winning £1.4m at blackjack in Vegas is straight fire like what are the chances right? I'm totally donating to whatever charity he chooses to support, whoever needs that kind of cash

I mean come on , $3.9bn?! That's insane! I guess you could say the guy's got a winning hand . But seriously, it's pretty impressive that he was able to make such a big payout in blackjack. Not everyone can just walk away from a table with a $1.4m win . And yeah, using his wealth for good is great - I love seeing politicians use their power and resources for positive change . But at the same time, it's kinda weird that he's only now donating some of it to charity... seems like he might have been holding onto it for a bit longer .

Ugh, I feel like we've lost all sense of class now. Remember when politicians were at least somewhat modest with their wealth? Now, it's just expected that they'll be raking in millions from some lucky hand of blackjack . And to think he's been playing casino games while on official business? That's just shady . Back in the day, you'd be arrested for taking a few hundred dollars in winnings without reporting it . I guess times have changed...

I'm not surprised Pritzker made a killin' at blackjack! Who doesn't love the thrill of beating the odds? It's actually kinda cool that he's using his good fortune for good, supporting those in need through charity initiatives . The Hyatt Hotel fortune is pretty impressive too - talk about racking up the wealth! But hey, $1.4m is a nice chunk of change to donate to some great causes... fingers crossed it happens soon .

I mean can you even imagine having a windfall of $1.4m from playing blackjack ? I've been known to go on some crazy winning streaks with my friends at the casino, but I never thought I'd be governor material . It's actually kinda cool that he's using his winnings to give back to charity though. I love how he's keeping it humble and saying we all lose in the long run when we play too much . Guess you could say his luck is rubbing off on others through his philanthropy .

I'm not surprised at all that JB Pritzker hit a major windfall from blackjack . I mean, who doesn't love playing cards in Vegas? But let's be real, it's just luck and his family's already got a significant stake in the Hyatt Hotel fortune, so it's like he was already set up for success . It's cool that he's using his wealth to back some good causes tho, but come on, $1m is a pretty decent chunk of change . Maybe he should just pay himself out and be done with it? Just saying

I'm not sure if being a billionaire governor should change how we see him ... I mean, his wealth is obviously inspiring and has allowed him to make a huge difference in the lives of many through those charitable initiatives ! The fact that he's already using his money to support great causes like the Chicago Poker Challenge is super admirable . On one hand, it's interesting that he won such a massive amount from playing blackjack (I mean, who wouldn't want to walk away with $1.4m? ), but on the other hand, I wonder if there's more to the story about how this windfall came about ...

Who knew playing blackjack could change lives? JB Pritzker's good fortune is pretty wild!

man... think about it... 3.9 billion bucks... thats like, a whole lot of freedom right? but is it really freedom when you're made of money? can we say that someone who's got a 1.4 mil windfall at blackjack is truly free from the pressures of being rich? or are they just rolling with the punches and playing the game all over again? maybe he's using his wealth to make a difference, but what does that really mean when you're swimming in it? can we define happiness by how much cash you've got or is there something more at play here...

Come on, $3.9 billion? That's just not right! It's like a slap in the face to all those Illinoisans struggling to make ends meet . I mean, you're trying to be the People's Governor, but your wealth is more like the 1% problem . What's next? You're gonna start charging people to use the restroom in Springfield? By the way, where was this £1m paid out from? Was it just a little "loans" or "grants"? Transparency, JB! Transparency!

I'm low-key impressed by JB Pritzker's luck . I mean, who wins £1.4m from blackjack? That's like hitting the jackpot! His net worth is already insane, but now he's got an extra £1m to give back to the community. It's awesome that he's using his wealth to support some great causes in Illinois. I'm all for that! The Chicago Poker Challenge sounds like a fun initiative too . Fingers crossed we get more info on when and how he plans to donate the cash

OMG is this real life?! Like, I'm all for a guy who's got the means to give back, but 3.9 BILLION DOLLARS?! That's just crazy and honestly, I'm kinda salty that he didn't have to work for it. I mean, I know his family was into hotels and all that, but come on... does anyone really need that kind of wealth? And those charitable initiatives are cool, don't get me wrong, but $1.4m is a lot of dosh . I hope he puts in some effort to make the most of it tho, 'cause just dropping it on charity sounds kinda... entitled