William Boyd Biography and Net Worth

One of the best-known figures in the gaming industry, Bill Boyd is Chairman Emeritus and co-founder of Boyd Gaming Corporation.

Bill's father, Sam A. Boyd, came to Las Vegas in 1941 as a dealer. He later was a stockholder in the Sahara, the Mint, and the Union Plaza hotels in Las Vegas. Bill Boyd practiced law in Las Vegas for more than 15 years and was a partner with his father, among others, in the Union Plaza Hotel & Casino and the Eldorado Casino. In 1973, Bill Boyd and his father co-founded Boyd Gaming Corporation, openings its first property, the California Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas, in January 1975. At that time, Bill left law practice and began his full-time career in the gaming industry.

After his father passed away in January 1993, Bill succeeded him as Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Gaming and led the Company's initial expansion across the United States. He served as CEO until January 2008, when he was succeeded by current Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith.

Following his retirement as CEO, Bill served as Executive Chair of the Board of Directors from 2008 to 2023. Bill was named Chairman Emeritus of the Company in May 2023.

In addition to his work at Boyd Gaming, Bill has been an active philanthropist and civic leader for decades. He was on the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas Downtown Progress Association, is past president of the Better Business Bureau of Southern Nevada and the Nevada Resort Association, and is President Emeritus of the International Council on Responsible Gaming. Bill also served on the Board of Directors of Nevada State Bank for 20 years and founded the Bank of Nevada. He currently serves as Director Emeritus of the Board of Directors of Bank of Nevada parent company Western Alliance Bancorporation.

Bill Boyd, Boyd Gaming, and the Boyd Foundation have been significant donors to numerous non-profit organizations, including the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the Boys and Girls Club, Boys Town of Nevada, National Judicial College, St. Rose de Lima Hospital, the United Way, D.A.R.E., Nevada Blood Services and the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV is named in his honor, in recognition of the $30 million he contributed to the school's funding.

Bill holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a law degree from the University of Utah. He is also a veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1953 to 1955. Bill is the father of three children, and all three children are involved in the family business. Sam Boyd works as an Executive Casino Host at The Orleans; William R. Boyd was appointed Vice President in 1990 and served on the Board of Directors, and Marianne Johnson is Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors.