Lee Amaitis Net Worth

What is Lee Amaitis' net worth?

Lee Amaitis is an American businessman and philanthropist who has a net worth of $600 million. Lee Amaitis is best known for his leadership at Cantor Fitzgerald and his groundbreaking role in bringing Wall Street–style innovation to the Las Vegas sports-betting industry. Over several decades, he built a reputation as a tough, driven executive with a deep understanding of financial markets and risk management. His career spans two of the most competitive industries—global finance and gaming—and reflects both an instinct for innovation and a relentless work ethic. As one of Howard Lutnick's most trusted lieutenants at Cantor Fitzgerald, Amaitis helped rebuild the firm after the September 11 attacks and later founded CG Technology, which helped modernize sports wagering in Nevada.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Lee M. Amaitis was born in 1949 and raised in Brooklyn, New York, in a working-class family. His early years in New York instilled in him the grit and intensity that would later define his business career. Without the benefit of an Ivy League education, he worked his way up from entry-level trading and clerical positions on Wall Street, learning the mechanics of the bond market from the ground up. His sharp instincts and fearlessness under pressure made him stand out in the fast-paced environment of 1970s and 1980s finance, where he developed a reputation as a strong-willed trader with a hands-on management style.

Rise at Cantor Fitzgerald

Amaitis joined Cantor Fitzgerald in the mid-1990s after earlier success at BGC Partners, where he honed his expertise in brokerage operations and electronic trading systems. At Cantor, he rose to become president and vice chairman, working closely with CEO Howard Lutnick. He was instrumental in building Cantor's electronic trading infrastructure and expanding its brokerage business globally.

After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which killed more than 650 Cantor employees in New York, Amaitis played a crucial role in helping the firm recover and rebuild. Operating from the company's London office, he led efforts to restore operations, rehire staff, and stabilize the firm's finances in the aftermath of its devastating losses. Those who worked under him described his management style as demanding and exacting but also loyal—qualities that mirrored the firm's own culture of toughness and resilience.

Expansion into Las Vegas and CG Technology

In the mid-2000s, Amaitis shifted his focus from financial markets to gaming technology, spearheading Cantor Fitzgerald's push into sports betting through the creation of Cantor Gaming, later renamed CG Technology. His vision was to bring the same real-time data systems and risk analytics used in financial trading to the casino sportsbook industry.

Under his leadership, CG Technology introduced mobile betting apps, in-game wagering, and advanced risk-management platforms that revolutionized sports betting in Nevada. The company operated sportsbooks at major casinos including The Venetian, The Cosmopolitan, The Palms, and The Hard Rock. By merging technology and entertainment, Amaitis helped transform Las Vegas sports wagering into a modern, data-driven business long before nationwide legalization.

While his innovations were widely praised, CG Technology also faced regulatory challenges. The company paid fines to Nevada regulators in the mid-2010s over compliance and reporting issues, but Amaitis's role as a pioneer in integrating Wall Street systems into gaming remained intact. His work set the foundation for the massive U.S. sports betting boom that followed the Supreme Court's 2018 decision to lift the federal ban on wagering outside Nevada.

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Leadership Style and Reputation

Amaitis has long been known as a forceful and deeply committed executive. On Wall Street, he earned a reputation for demanding excellence and loyalty; in Las Vegas, he became known for vision, precision, and a willingness to take calculated risks. His career reflects both the intensity of the trading floor and the entrepreneurial spirit of modern gaming.

Despite occasional controversy, colleagues and competitors alike have credited him with resilience, discipline, and an unshakable belief in the power of innovation. His ability to navigate two complex industries—finance and gambling—marks him as a rare crossover executive who understood both markets and human behavior.

Philanthropy and Personal Life

Beyond business, Amaitis has been deeply involved in philanthropy. He has worked closely with the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, which supports the families of 9/11 victims and provides disaster relief around the world. He has also supported educational and healthcare initiatives in both the United States and the United Kingdom, often without seeking publicity.

Now based between New York and Las Vegas, Amaitis remains active as an investor, consultant, and mentor. Though his public appearances have become more infrequent in recent years, his influence is still visible in both the trading systems that dominate modern finance and the digital platforms driving today's sports-betting economy.

Real Estate

In March 2008, Lee paid $4.75 million for a penthouse at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Lee sold this unit in May 2021 for $4.35 million.

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