The number of global billionaires hits a new record

Jiten171

Among the world's richest 2,775 individuals, 28 tycoons from the gambling industry secured a place, with only one seeing a decrease in wealth over the past year. The widow of Sheldon Adelson, the late founder of Las Vegas Sands, has now become the world's wealthiest gambling tycoon, witnessing a 42.5% increase in the family's wealth amid the relentless impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy. Miriam Adelson, with a net worth of $38.2 billion, ranks 36th on Forbes' list of the world's billionaires, holding the top spot in the gambling industry. Lui Che Woo and his family, founders of Galaxy Entertainment in Hong Kong, accumulate a total wealth of $19.4 billion.

The estimated net worth of Sheldon Adelson, the founder of Las Vegas Sands, is $26.8 billion. Following the death of his wife Miriam in 2021, who inherited half of the company's value, Las Vegas Sands, with casinos in Las Vegas, Singapore, and Macau, is valued at approximately $48 billion. In early March 2021, Las Vegas Sands announced the sale of its Las Vegas assets, including The Venetian and Palazzo resorts and the Sands Expo and Convention Center, to Apollo Global Management for $6.25 billion. This transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Despite the unprecedented challenges and damage inflicted on people and industries worldwide throughout 2020 due to the pandemic, many of the world's wealthiest individuals witnessed an expansion of their fortunes. The Forbes Billionaires list for 2021 broke records, growing to 2,755 individuals, an increase of 660 from the previous year.

Forbes reported that 493 new entrants contributed to this record-breaking growth, surpassing the previous high. Additionally, 250 individuals who had dropped off the list in the past re-entered this time. A staggering 86% of the wealthy individuals increased their wealth compared to the previous year. In the gambling industry, out of the 28 billionaire tycoons, only one experienced a decrease in value – the Korean entrepreneur Han Chang-woo, who built a gambling empire in Japan.

According to Forbes, a new billionaire was created approximately every 17 hours in the past year. The 2021 Forbes Billionaires list includes prominent figures from the gambling industry, such as Denise Coates, the founder and CEO of Bet365, who faced controversy for receiving a high salary of $648 million in 2020 and is now valued at $6.5 billion. The children of the late Macau casino magnate Stanley Ho, Pansy Ho and Lawrence Ho, are worth $4.3 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively. Former Wynn Resorts Chairman Steve Wynn is valued at $3.2 billion, while his ex-wife Elaine Wynn is worth $2.3 billion. Tilman Fertitta, the head of the Golden Nugget casino, sports, and leisure empire, is valued at $4.6 billion, with distant relatives Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta operating the gaming development management company Red Rock Resorts Inc. and DC gaming company Station Casinos, each valued at around $2.2 billion.

James Packer, the founder of Crown Resorts in Australia, is worth $3.2 billion, and former Chairman of Japan's World Entertainment, Okada Kazuo, is valued at $1.8 billion. Making a return to the billionaire rankings is 89-year-old William Boyd, worth $1.6 billion. After his father's death in 1993, he took over his casino company. Despite retiring in 2008, Boyd still holds approximately 17% of the company's shares. This marks Boyd's first appearance on the Forbes Billionaires list since 2007.

Indra55

As long as there is ability, one can become wealthy in various ways.

Jafar224

These individuals are still big players, wealthy tycoons.

Sona59

So gambling is also the pursuit of the majority of people.

Samiksha

It's also very enviable.