Billionaire casino magnate Tilman Fertitta is expected to be nominated as the next United States ambassador to Italy by President-elect Donald Trump. The appointment would require Senate confirmation.

Fertitta, 67, has been a strong Republican Party 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 oversees an extensive hospitality empire that includes:

• Golden Nugget casinos across six states
• The NBA's Houston Rockets
• Multiple high-end restaurant chains including Del Frisco's and Morton's
• Hotels and resorts in multiple states
• A 9.9% stake in Wynn Resorts

While Fertitta has no prior diplomatic experience, he served on Texas Governor Greg Abbott's COVID-19 reopening task force and participated in White House discussions about pandemic regulations. He also hosted CNBC's "Billion Dollar Buyer" for three seasons.

The U.S. ambassador to Italy position, established in 1831, involves:

• Representing U.S. interests in Italy
• Serving as a liaison between Washington and Rome
• Leading diplomatic initiatives from an official residence in Rome
• Managing bilateral relations between the two nations

The nomination requires Senate confirmation before Fertitta can assume the role. Multiple news outlets, including CBS News and the Houston Chronicle, have reported on the expected nomination.

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