Manuel Lao Hernández is a Spanish businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder and former Owner of Cirsa Gaming Corporation, one of Spain's largest casino, slot machine, and bingo hall operators. His career is rooted in gaming, entertainment, and high-stakes real estate.

Lao's entrepreneurial journey began in 1978 when he founded Cirsa (Casinos Recreativos S.A.), recognizing the immense, untapped domestic and international demand for regulated gaming and entertainment services. His philosophy centers on scale, operational efficiency, and aggressive international expansion (operating in Europe and Latin America).

• Cirsa Gaming Corporation (Founder & Former Owner): The core private asset, a major operator of casinos, slot machines, and bingo halls in Spain, Italy, and Latin America. Sold a majority stake to Blackstone for €2.4 billion in 2018.
• Gaming Focus: His success is built on scale management and dominating the domestic and international gaming and leisure market.
• Investment Strategy: His philosophy is rooted in long-term investment in real estate and leveraging the massive global demand for entertainment.
• Family Governance: He sold his stake to focus on family real estate assets (through Nortia Capital).

Manuel Lao Hernández's strategic genius was his commitment to professionalizing and internationalizing the gaming industry. Under his leadership as Founder and Chairman, Cirsa expanded aggressively, becoming the largest gaming operator in Spain and a major player in Latin America (with a presence in Italy, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru). His structural contribution is tied to the successful industrialization of the gaming and leisure sector.

The pinnacle of his financial career was the €2.4 billion sale of a majority stake in Cirsa to Blackstone in 2018. Following the exit, he retained the South African gaming assets and his real estate holdings (managed through Nortia Capital). His wealth is secured by the colossal liquid gains from the Cirsa sale and the long-term appreciation of his real estate portfolio.

Manuel Lao Hernández's social impact is structural, stemming from Cirsa's role as a massive employer and foundational provider of entertainment and leisure services across Spain and Latin America. His companies contribute significantly to the tourism and service sectors. His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives.

His structural contribution is tied to the successful monetization and professionalization of the regulated gaming industry.

Manuel Lao Hernández maintains the professional, composed style of an executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects serious authority and stability, typical of a leader in the high-stakes gaming sector.

Residing in Barcelona, Spain, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to investment strategy, real estate management, and private asset control.