Tilman Fertitta

Worth an estimated $11.4bn, Tilman Fertitta's business acumen has helped shape the world of gaming. 

Fertitta is considered a giant within the dining, hospitality and entertainment industries. In May, his firm Fertitta Entertainment agreed to acquire Caesars Entertainment in a take-private deal. 

Moreover, Fertitta is also the largest single shareholder of Wynn Resorts Ltd. In September 2026, the firm's Macau-based company, Wynn Macau Ltd, participated in a series of tourism promotional activities meant to highlight the area to the Southeast Asian market. 

 Texas tycoon 

Born in Galveston, Texas, in 1957, Fertitta comes from a somewhat humble background; after school, he would peel shrimp in his father's seafood restaurant. He attended Texas Tech University and the University of Houston, studying business administration and hospitality management. However, he dropped out before graduating. 

Fertitta began his career in the 1980s, when he founded and ran a construction and development business. His first project was the Key Largo Hotel in Galveston Texas, introducing him to the world of hospitality. Fertitta was also a partner in the first Landry's restaurant, which opened in 1980.  

By 1986, Fertitta gained controlling interests of both Landry's Houston properties and, in 1988, he became the sole owner of the company. A few years later, in 1993, he took the company public skyrocketing its value to approximately $30m. 

Through Landry's Inc., Fertitta acquired: Morton's The Steakhouse; Rainforest Cafe; Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.; McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks; Saltgrass Steak House; Claim Jumper; Chart House; The Oceanaire; Mastro's Restaurants; Grotto Restaurants; The Boathouse Restaurants and Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse. 

Despite selling the Key Largo Hotel to acquire Landry's, Fertitta was determined to continue expanding into hospitality. He bought the San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center, the Holiday Inn on the Beach and the Hilton Galveston Island Resort, all located in his hometown.  

 The Golden Nugget rush 

In 200,5 he expanded into casinos by acquiring Golden Nugget Casinos, with locations in both Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada. The Golden Nugget was previously owned by two internet entrepreneurs, Tim Poster and Tom Breitling, who bought it from MGM in 2003. 

Under their ownership, the casino became visible through reality TV and embracing the technology of the time. This brand equity made it highly desirable to Fertitta, who wanted to make his move into gaming. 

Fertitta paid $340m for the company and, having a portfolio of restaurants and aquariums, he got to work at integrating his existing chain businesses within the Gold Nugget template.  

He enhanced the pool with an aquarium, featuring sharks and made Vic & Anthony's the anchor steakhouse, along with Saltgrass as a second steakhouse.  

Under Fertitta, the Golden Nugget brand expanded to Lake Charles, Danville, Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City, Biloxi and Cripple Creek.  

Most recently, Fertitta Entertainment closed a deal to acquire Caesars Entertainment for approximately $17.6bn. The merger will make Caesars a private company with Fertitta as the sole owner. 

The vote occurred in September and saw 65.4% of shareholders voting in favor of the deal. Under the terms of the agreement, each share of Caesars will be converted into the right to receive $31 in cash, should shareholders choose to sell.  

The merger now advances toward regulatory clearance before being finalized, it is expected to close by 26 June 2027. 

 From the NBA to ambassador to Italy 

Along with his passion for dining and hospitality, Fertitta invested heavily in his love for sports. In 2017, Fertitta bought the NBA team the Houston Rockets for a record $2.2bn.  

When asked if he was worried about getting his investment back, Fertitta answered: "I’m not buying this to flip it in five years or 10 years. This is a generational asset that will stay in my family."  

In 2024, he also expressed interest in reviving the WNBA franchise. In March 2026, he successfully acquired the Connecticut Suns and relocated them to Houston, under the new name: the Houston Comets. 

However, basketball is not the only Texan team Fertitta had something to do with. In 1999, he was one of the original investors in creating the Houston Texans NFL franchise.  

Most recently, Fertitta has been interested in buying the English football team Sheffield Wednesday, although the outcome of these negotiations is still uncertain. 

In May 2025, Fertitta stepped down as CEO of Fertitta Entertainment to serve as the US Ambassador to Italy and San Marino. Fertitta, whose grandfather immigrated from Sicily, was appointed by President Donald Trump who described him as "a trusted friend and brilliant negotiator." 

Fertitta has a long history with the US president. In 2011, the businessman bought the Trump Marina and established the Golden Nugget Atlantic City. Furthermore, Fertitta has donated extensively to the president's campaigns and was even described by Trump as his "twin." 

Fertitta's nomination was favorably received by the Senate, being confirmed with 83% of the vote. As ambassador, his goal is to foster closer partnerships between Italy and the US.  

 "The world's richest restauranteur" 

As Fertitta's first experiment with the gaming industry, the Golden Nugget has become the prototype for any successful casino on the planet, from Mississippi to Macau.  

Undoubtedly, all 40 million annual visitors who come to Las Vegas are witnessing the legacy of the Golden Nugget's strategy. Fertitta's acquisition of Caesars Entertainment now represents the next step in building one of the largest gaming empires in the world. 

Prior to the acquisition of Caesars Entertainment, Fertitta owned more than 600 properties in 36 US states and over 15 countries, employing more than 50,000 people. Now, Fertitta's portfolio will also include more than 50 Caesars properties across the US. 

His ventures have placed him on the Forbes 400 list in 2005 and even led him to starring on his own reality TV show "Billion Dollar Buyer" on CNBC.