Billionaire casino mogul Tilman Fertitta is expected to be nominated as the next United States ambassador to Italy by President-elect Donald Trump. Multiple news outlets, including CBS News and the Houston Chronicle, have reported on this anticipated appointment.

Fertitta, 67, has been a substantial GOP supporter, contributing $487,300 to Trump's primary super PAC and $349,050 to the Republican National Committee during the 2024 presidential race. His Italian heritage traces back to Sicily through the Maceo family.

As founder and CEO of Landry's, Fertitta's business empire includes:

• Golden Nugget casinos across six states
• The NBA Houston Rockets
• Multiple high-end restaurant chains
• Various hotels and resorts
• 9.9% ownership stake in Wynn Resorts

While Fertitta has never held public office, he served on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's COVID-19 pandemic reopening task force and participated in Trump's White House meetings regarding pandemic regulations.

The U.S. ambassador to Italy position, established in 1831, requires Senate confirmation and involves:

• Representing U.S. interests in Italy
• Serving as a liaison between Washington and Rome
• Managing diplomatic relations
• Leading the U.S. embassy team

The role comes with an official residence in Rome, though it remains unclear why Fertitta would choose to spend significant time away from his Houston-based business operations.

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