Lady Luck and gambling certainly go hand in in hand, but when it comes to the builders of this expansive and lucrative enterprise, luck had little to do with it. Recent statistics have estimated the market size of the global casinos and online gambling industry closes in on a whopping 230 Billion U.S. Dollars. So, who are the biggest casino stakeholders worldwide in 2021? Take a look at our short list, No. 1 will likely surprise you.

The following list of moguls are the ones who keep the cash flowing throughout the world’s biggest casinos, both online and land based. Herewith a look at the world’s most successful casino owners according to Forbes.

5. Mark Sheinberg

Hailing from the tiny island of the Isle of Man in the U.K., Mark Sheinberg and his father founded the world’s biggest online poker company, PokerStars, in 2001. The company was eventually sold in 2014, with Sheinberg profiting $3 Billion, making him the world’s youngest billionaire. As of February 2021, his real net worth stands at $4.9 Billion and he is currently ranked 345^th on the Forbes richest list.

4. Johann Graf

As the owner of Novomatic Group, Johann Graf’s unofficial theme song should be ‘Pinball Wizzard’, by Elton John. The Netherlander began his gambling career by betting high on imported slot machines, video poker games and electronic table games, and cashed in big time by also acquiring numerous casinos worldwide. As of today, his real net worth is estimated to be $7.2 Billion.

3. Denise Coates

Also from the U.K., Denise Coates, is ranked fifth on the list of the richest women in Great Britain, which in itself is quite an achievement.

Coates is co-CEO of Bet365, one of the world’s largest online gaming companies which facilitates more than $65 billion in bets a year.  After bookkeeping for her father’s betting shops as a young girl, Coates picked up on the popularity of online gambling in 2000 and bought the domain Bet365.com. A year later the website was launched and 20 years on, Coates’ real net worth currently stands at $10.1 Billion.

2. Lui Che Woo

Believe it or not, Lui Che Woo from Hong Kong has only been in the casino industry for less than a decade, but his current real net worth already stands at $18.4 Billion. Woo, along with family members, founded the Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited and opened the $2 Billion Galaxy Macau casino and hotel in May 2011.

1. Shelden Adelson

Even in death, Sheldon Adelson still holds the number one spot for the world’s richest casino owner. The poor boy from Boston began selling newspapers when he was 12 years old, and ceaselessly kept expanding his business ventures throughout his life. He first invested in casino entertainment in 1989 by buying the Sands Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for $128 million with partners. After his passing on January 11, 2021, his real net worth according to Forbes, stood at a colossal $28.9 Billion.