Gov. JB Pritzker won $1.4 million in Vegas playing blackjack

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a billionaire, took home $1.4 million in winnings after playing blackjack at a casino in Las Vegas last year, according to a copy of his new tax filing.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a billionaire, took home $1.4 million in winnings after playing blackjack at a casino in Las Vegas last year, according to a copy of his new tax filing.

Pritzker, who is seeking a third term in office and is on the 2028 short list, reported the earnings in his latest tax filing after he played the card game while on a vacation with his wife and some friends, a Pritzker spokesperson said Thursday.

The governor will be donating the money to charity, according to his campaign.

“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,” Pritzker told reporters at a news conference Thursday.

The governor apparently also likes to play poker, according to his campaign, and founded a charity poker tournament.