Casino King May Be Market's Biggest Loser

"It's absolutely beautiful," Fischer said. "You can't complain about the money that he spent there."

Less picturesque, however, was Adelson' relationship with fellow Vegas mogul Steve Wynn. Both men, he said, have purchased parking lot properties that the other had wanted. As a result, some of their employees have to park relatively far away from their respective hotels.

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"I would assume they go out of their way to annoy one another," Fischer said.

Adelson has also been involved in various lawsuits, including one filed against him by his two sons over a stock deal. The court eventually ruled in Adelson's favor, finding that "Adelson, although perhaps lacking paternal kindliness and, indeed, cordiality generally, did not mislead, cheat or defraud" his sons.

As with other casino operators, Adelson's gambling future remains uncertain. He's seeking to raise $2 billion from Asian banks to finance his Macao developments, according to published reports. He also recently invested an additional $475 million in Sands but the move did little to bolster the sagging share price.

However badly his company is hurting, however, Adelson himself seems to be doing OK -- he's still worth $11 billion, according to Forbes magazine.

As for that latest $475 million investment? He told The Associated Press that it "hasn't changed my lifestyle."

ABC News' Melissa Lenderman and Barbara Paulsen contributed to this report.