Sex and Poker Queen Worth $2 Billion

GIBRALTAR — That Ruth Parasol has used sex and gambling to make money should be no big surprise to anyone in the industry, until they recognize exactly how much she has made.

According to Forbes Magazine, Parasol is worth an estimated $1.8 billion these days, putting the Northern, California-born mother of two at the 164th slot on the Forbes 2005 list of the wealthiest Americans, tying with entrepreneur Stephen Wynn and Slim-Fast founder Daniel Abraham.

The former attorney got her start in adult when she joined her father’s phone sex business in the1990s. She then went on to advise Ian Eisenberg, another phone sex industrialist, who made millions in a fake rebate check scheme that eventually led to a lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission and a $17 million judgment.

Parasol’s other past endeavors include partial ownership of 1-900 phone service Starlink Communications, several porn sites and, most notably, the founding of Starluck Casino in 1997, which quickly grew into a vast network of sites known today as PartyGaming.com.

Parasol runs PartyGaming with her husband, Russell DeLeon, who together have a 32 percent stake in the company. Because Internet gambling sites are illegal to operate in the U.S., the company is run out of Gibraltar, with employees based in India, England and the Caribbean as well.

In June the couple took the company public on the London stock exchange, where it was valued at roughly $8.5 billion. Sales are reportedly up 1,900 percent in the last two years, and the couple’s poker site, PartyPoker.com, reportedly accounts for half of the world’s online poker market.

Parasol’s father, Richard, still lives in Northern, California, and is frequently seen cruising in his speedboat on the San Francisco Bay with a bevy of topless women around him.

Ruth, on the other hand, may never see her home state again, as U.S. officials have warned that if she returns to the U.S. she could face arrest because of her gambling exploits.

Both Parasol and her husband remain intensely private, rarely giving interviews or releasing photos. But perhaps the best photo of Parasol can be found in her yearbook from the Marin Academy, where Parasol, for her senior portrait, posed in a fur coat above the caption “Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend.”

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Taylor Nicole Launches New Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Taylor Nicole has launched her new official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Lady Dee Stars in Latest From Immoral

Lady Dee stars with Paul Stalker and Charlie Dean in a new three-part release from Immoral Productions.

Adult Time Drops 'Busting Porn Myths Vol. 1' Informational Video

Adult Time has released the first volume of its new Performer Center series, “Busting Porn Myths.”

Octavia Red Stars in Final Episode of Bree Mills' 'Escape From Camp Conversion' From Adult Time

Octavia Red stars in the final episode of the Bree Mills-helmed thriller "Escape From Camp Conversion," from Adult Time studio brand Girlcore.

Octokuro Makes Her Vampired Debut

Octokuro has made her Vampired debut alongside Sata Jones in “Vampirella Unleashed.”

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

Natalia Starr Stars in Latest From New Sensations

Natalia Starr stars with Danny Mountain in the latest release from New Sensations.

Show More