Former Crown owner James Packer, Aristocrat founder Len Ainsworth and Stake.com’s Ed Craven are among the gaming-related names to appear on the 2026 Forbes list of Australia’s 50 richest, released Tuesday.
While mining and technology leaders dominated the top spots on the 2026 list – led by mining magnate Gina Rinehart with a US$24.6 billion fortune – gambling interests remained prominent with Packer leading the way in 22nd spot with US$3.55 billion to his name. Packer sold off his stake in Crown in 2022 as part of the company’s acquisition by US private equity giant Blackstone.
Just one sport below Packer, in 23rd on the 2026 Forbes list of Australia’s 50 richest, is 102-year-old Len Ainsworth and family. Ainsworth founded global slot machine giant Aristocrat and later Ainsworth Game Technology, but has long since sold off his shares in each.
Sitting in 46th and 47th spot respectively are Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, the co-founders of global crypto casino Stake.com, each with around US$1.5 billion to their names.
Also on the list and in 50th is none other than Bruce Mathieson, the Aussie pub baron whose company Australian Leisure & Hospitality Group operates over 350 pubs nationwide. There are more than 12,000 slot machines housed within those pubs. Mathieson recently acquired a 23% stake in Star Entertainment Group as part of a partnership with US casino giant Bally’s Corp.
Commenting on its 2026 list, Forbes said Australia’s richest had added US$11 billion to their combined fortune, taking it to US$254 billion thanks partly to a rising Australian dollar.
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