Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson has been named the wealthiest casino mogul in the world by this years’ Forbes list of billionaires, which was released yesterday.
Thanks to the booming market in Macau, Adelson ranks position number 14 among the world’s richest people, and is believed to have a net worth of an almighty $24.9 billion – that’s two positions higher and $16 billion richer than his spot last year when he was thought to be worth $23.3 billion.
As Macau Business reports, this year’s list again includes several other people with connections to Macau, although they don’t have shit on Adelson. Lui Che Woo, the chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group is in spot 178, with a net worth of $5.7 billion, while MGM China Holdings Ltd.’s co-chairwoman Pansy Ho Chiu King is ranked 314, with a net worth of $3.5 billion.
Steve Wynn is lagging way behind in position 491, with a net worth of $2.5 billion, while his former business partner Kazuo Okada and family are ranked 719, with a net worth of $1.8 billion.
Mexico telecom mogul Carlos Slim again topped the Forbes annual world’s richest list, with his $69 billion fortune, which while down from last year, still outpaced the runner-up, Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
A new contender in the casino cruise market, the China Star, set sail today – cruising from Hong Kong on its two-day maiden voyage.
Owned by the Hong Kong-based China Cruises Company, the twin-hull ship – previously known as Asia Star – was bought from Stanley Ho Hung Sun last year for $65 million.
A report by Macau Business reveals the one-of-a-kind ship has 12 floors and 172 deluxe rooms, along with 18 gaming tables and around 100 slot-machines, and is able to carry 395 guests.
The company says it has plans to further engage in marine and cruise investment, to boost the sector in China.
