Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker hit it big in Las Vegas last year, winning $1.4 million at a casino, according to tax filings obtained by various press outlets.

The massive winnings were reported on Pritzker’s 2024 tax returns, which were released by his campaign on Wednesday, Oct. 15, according to NBC Chicago. Pritzker reported winning $1.425 million in gambling income in 2024.

Following reports of the governor’s incredible luck, Pritzker said in a press conference on Thursday, Oct. 16, that he was “incredibly lucky” during a trip to Las Vegas with his wife, MK Pritzker, and a group of friends.

“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,” he said.

Pritzker’s campaign told NBC News that he would donate the money to charity. In addition to their casino winnings, the married couple reported nearly $5.9 million in total taxable income on their combined federal return.

An heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, Pritzker is one of the wealthiest governors in the United States with a net worth of about $3.9 billion, according to Forbes.

Gov. Pritzker’s campaign did not immediately return USA TODAY’s request for comment.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker reports winning $1.4 million in Las Vegas in 2024 tax return

Reporting by Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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