Adelson remains top of Forbes’ gambling investor rankings

Sheldon Adelson has again topped Forbes magazine’s list of wealthy top gaming investors, with an estimated net worth of $38.5bn (€31bn).

Adelson, who was ranked 21st among billionaires worldwide in the Forbes 2018 World’s Billionaires list, is chairman and chief executive of casino developer Las Vegas Sands Corp.

The US billionaire’s total net worth was up $8.1bn year-on-year in 2017.

Adelson is some way ahead of the next gaming billionaire in the Forbes rankings, with Lui Che Woon, founder and chairman of Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group, placed 50th with an estimated $20.1bn.

Johann Graf, founder and chief executive of Novomatic AG, came in at 186th with an estimated value of $8.1bn, making him the third-wealthiest gambling investor on the list.

Adelson has been one of the leading figures to speak out over his opposition to plans to expand the online gaming market in the US.

At present, only Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware offer some form of regulated internet gambling services, but a number of other states are seeking to join them by introducing legislation that could legalise such activities.

Related article: Adelson dealt blow in US anti-online gaming push