The Ledger / Neil Bluhm
Neil Bluhm
◼ Origin
Co-founded JMB Realty in 1970 after practicing law in Chicago; built a marquee real estate portfolio (900 North Michigan, Ritz-Carlton Chicago) and pivoted into casino gaming, founding Rush Street Gaming and taking Rush Street Interactive public in 2020.
◼ Self-Made Verdict — YES
Co-founded JMB Realty in 1970 after a legal career; no inherited real estate empire. Built from skill in deal-making and development.
◼ Documented marks
01
Controls Rush Street Gaming, which operates Rivers Casino properties in Chicago, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Schenectady (NY), and Des Plaines (IL) — making him one of the largest regional casino operators in the US.
02
Took Rush Street Interactive (RSI) public in 2020 via a SPAC reverse merger; RSI operates BetRivers online sports betting in 20+ US states and Ontario.
03
Holds minority stakes in the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox; owns the marquee Chicago retail property 900 North Michigan and the Ritz-Carlton Chicago.
04
A longtime Democratic Party mega-donor; donated $500,000 to the Biden super PAC Unite the Country in 2020 and has given tens of millions to Democratic candidates and causes over decades.
No inheritance, or primary accounts documented for this billionaire yet.
◼ List of charges
No documented charges yet.
These are moral charges, not legal ones. The actual legal system has not — and will not — bring them.
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