1. Sheldon Adelson – Adelson started as a newspaper vendor and then ventured into the hotel and casino industry. He went on to become the founder and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, one of the largest casino companies in the world.
2. Kirk Kerkorian – Kerkorian began as a boxer and then worked as an amateur pilot. He invested in property and eventually established the MGM Resorts International, one of the leading casino and hotel chains globally.
3. Steve Wynn – Wynn started as a bingo parlor operator in Maryland and later moved to Las Vegas to develop some of the iconic casinos like The Mirage, Bellagio, and Wynn Las Vegas.
4. Frank Fertitta Jr. – Fertitta Jr. was a bingo parlor manager who expanded his business to casinos, eventually establishing Station Casinos, a successful chain of local casinos in Las Vegas.
5. Alex Meruelo – Meruelo began his journey as a construction worker, then later ventured into real estate and acquired struggling casinos. He is the owner of the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno and the SLS Las Vegas.
6. Calvin Ayre – Ayre started by creating software solutions for the online gambling industry. He then founded Bodog Entertainment, a successful online gambling platform, before expanding his empire into land-based casinos.
7. Phil Ruffin – Ruffin began by selling convenience stores and then invested his earnings into real estate and hotel ventures. He is currently the owner of Treasure Island in Las Vegas.
8. John Aspinall – Aspinall started his career by hosting private gaming parties in London, eventually establishing some of Britain’s most successful casinos, including the Clermont Club and the Playboy Club.
9. George Maloof Jr. – Maloof Jr. was part of a family that built their fortune in the liquor distribution business. He later expanded the family business into the casino industry and became the owner of the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
10. Derek and Greg Stevens – The Stevens brothers transformed their successful real estate development company into casino ownership by purchasing and renovating properties in Downtown Las Vegas. They currently own and operate The D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino.