Billionaire casino owner Sheldon Adelson dies aged 87
Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire casino mogul, has died at the age of 87, the cause of death stated as complications from treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, according to a statement from the Las Vegas Sands today, Tuesday.
BREAKING: Las Vegas Sands says Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson has died at age 87
https://t.co/mheX917sP8— Bloomberg (@business) January 12, 2021
Adelson was an incredibly influential figure in the casino and resort world, and in the poker world too for obvious reasons.
The founder and Chief Executive Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp, his venues have played host to innumerable poker events from Vegas to Macau. His fierce opposition to the best online casinos and online poker in particular, however, saw him at odds with many in the poker world.
Adelson began his business life after borrowing money to start selling newspapers from street corners at the age of 12. Although dropping out of college, Adelson would go on to become one pf the richest men in the world, at one point his fortune estimated at more than $30billion.
In 1988 he bought the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, later razing it to the ground and replacing it with the Venetian, a Venice-themed resort hotel and casino styled on his honeymoon visit to the Italian city.
The $1.5billion project was named by TripAdvisor in 2014 as ‘the world’s most extraordinarily designed hotel’, and Adelson followed up by building the Sands and Venetian resorts in Macau through the noughties.
Known to be a huge sympathiser with conservative causes, he ploughed money into both Israel and the US Republican party, backing both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump.
Outgoing Presdient Trump has been banned from Twitter, but his Israeli counterpart tweeted out his condolences on news of Adelson’s death.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
“Sara and I are heartbroken by the passing of Sheldon Adelson.He was a wonderful friend to us personally and an incredible champion of the Jewish people, the Jewish state and the alliance between Israel and America.
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 12, 2021
Despite his own gambling-based riches, Adelson was firmly opposed all types of online gambling, founding the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling in 2014.
He explained his views in an op-ed piece for Forbes magazine the previous year, stating: “As an industry leader, and more importantly as a father, grandfather, citizen and patriot of this great country, I am adamantly opposed to the legalization and proliferation of online casino gaming.
He described online gambling as “fool’s gold” and added: “Whether it is full casino gaming, poker only, or anything in between -this is a societal train wreck waiting to happen.”
That put him at loggerheads with the vast majority of the poker world, with Vanessa Selbst particularly vociferous on Twitter after hearing the news of his passing…
The best thing I can say about Sheldon Adelson was that he was such a POS that he unified the two disparate circles in my life–progressive liberals and poker players (in our immense amount of hatred for him). May his death be a sign of better things to come for both communities.
— Vanessa Selbst 🏳️🌈 (@VanessaSelbst) January 12, 2021
Adelson had reportedly taken a leave of absence late last week, a spokesperson stating: “Mr. Adelson is still dealing with certain side effects from medication he is taking for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
“These side effects have restricted his availability to travel or keep regular office hours. They have not, however, prevented him from fulfilling his duties as chairman and CEO.”
Today, however, the news broke that Adelson had lost his fight for life. He is survived by his second wife Miriam Adelson.
Earn up to 60% partypoker rakeback when signing up through us!
When signing up through VIP-Grinders.com on partypoker, you can now earn up to 60% cashback on partypoker plus take part in the following exclusive VIP-Grinders Promotions with massive extra value:
- $30 Welcome Bonus in SPINS Tickets
- Up to 60% Cashback via the Diamond Elite Club
- Exclusive $50,000 Party & Bwin Rake
- 5 x €250 Private Poker Freeroll per month
- Exclusive Party & Bwin Chase
Terms and conditions apply. New customer offer and 18+ only. Should you require help regarding your betting pattern, please visit www.begambleaware.org
