Casino Owner Died

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© Provided by People Bob Riha, Jr./Getty

He didn’t become a casino owner, or a Republican, until well into middle age. Through the 1990s and after his wealth soared, his engagement in politics intensified. He was a supporter of President George W. Bush and backed Republican Rudolph Giuliani for the 2008 presidential race, before turning to the eventual candidate, Sen.

Sheldon Adelson, a billionaire casino owner and big-time donor to the Republican Party, has died. He was 87.

His casino and resort destination Las Vegas Sands announced the news, confirming that Adelson died Monday night from 'complications related to treatment for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.' There will be a funeral held in Israel, with a Las Vegas memorial service at a later date. According to Forbes, he was worth $35 billion.

  • Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, one of the most prolific donors in conservative politics, died Monday night at the age of 87 due to complications from treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
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'He will be missed by people from all parts of the world who were touched by his generosity, kindness, intellect and wonderful sense of humor,' the Sands staff said in a press release.

Ocean Casino Owner Died

Adelson used his large fortune amassed over a career of expanding his gambling businesses around the world to fund Republican and right-wing initiatives, including being a major financial supporter of President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign.

Las Vegas Casino Owner Dies

'I've spent time talking to Donald Trump. Do I agree with him on every issue? No. But it's unlikely that any American agrees with his or her preferred candidate on every issue,' Adelson wrote in a May 2016 Washington Post op-ed endorsing Trump. '... He is a candidate with actual CEO experience, shaped and molded by the commitment and risk of his own money rather than the public's.'

© Bob Riha, Jr./Getty The businessman died from 'complications related to treatment for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma'

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'Despite being the grandson of a Welsh coal miner and the son of a Boston cab driver,' he wrote at the time, 'I've had the remarkable experience of being part of almost 50 different businesses in my more than 70-year business career. So, tell me I'm not a conservative enough Republican or I'm too hawkish on Israel or whatever else you may think, but I think I've earned the right to talk about success and leadership.'

According to The New York Times, Adelson attended Trump's inauguration, to which he contributed an unprecedented $5 million for its organizing committee. Prior to that, he gave the 2016 Trump campaign $25 million, the outlet reported.

Trump, 74, released a statement via the White House saying he and First Lady Melania Trump are mourning Adelson's death and they sent their 'heartfelt condolences to his wife Miriam, his children and grandchildren.'

Casino owner death

'Sheldon lived the true American dream,' the president continued. 'His ingenuity, genius, and creativity earned him immense wealth, but his character and philanthropic generosity his great name.'

Adelson's wife Miriam was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018, the same year the couple gave some $123 million to Republican PACS and campaigns, according to Forbes.

Adelson went from selling and delivering newspapers as a kid to owning major media outlets, including the Israel Hayom newspaper in Israel and the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He was also a proponent of Trump's move to relocate the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem back in 2018.

Trainer Blane Wood talks after his horse Whistle Stop Cafe won the All American Futurity on Monday
Owners

Stan Sigman, who was part owner of the Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino died Monday at the age of 73.

Casino Owner Dies In Boating Accident

Sigman, who was born on March 31, 1947, was one of three members of the partnership which owns and operates Ruidoso Downs Racetrack, Billy the Kid Casino and the Ruidoso Horse Sale Company.

In 2017, Sigman was part of the group that purchased Ruidoso Downs in Ruidoso, New Mexico, and he has served as its chairman. The other owners are Narciso “Chicho” Flores and Johnny Trotter.

Sigman is survived by his wife, Gerry Lynn; son, Spicer; daughters, Lourdes Funes and Jodi Adams; and grandchildren, Spicer Gripp II, Piper, Issac, Caleb, Stephan and Rilynn.

Services and tributes are pending.

'He was a gentleman and a good man,' longtime horse trainer Michael Joiner said. 'He will be missed in this industry.'

A graduate of West Texas State University, Sigman began his career with Southwestern Bell Telephone in 1965.

A leader in the wireless industry, he helped create SBC Communication’s wireless business in the mid-1980s, managed its expansion into one of the largest wireless businesses in the nation and directed its integration into Bell South’s wireless group to form Cingular Wireless in 2001. He was regarded as a wireless industry visionary and has been inducted into the Wireless History Foundation Hall of Fame.

Casino Owner Died

Sigman had a horse farm and ranch, and his race horses normally have his last name spelled backwards, “Namgis”.

'He had a profound impact on my life,' said Jeff True, the General Manager and President of Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino. 'He was a visionary and had a passion for his family, for horse racing and for working to make Ruidoso Downs a great place to be. He had many great ideas and was an inspiration to many people.'

More: Whistle Stop Cafe wins All American Futurity :

Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 915-546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino owner Stan Sigman dies at 73, remembered as 'visionary'