Leon Tsoukernik Awakens from 40 Hour Coma; Outlook Remains Uncertain

Businessman and former King’s Resort owner Leon Tsoukernik awoke from a coma after collapsing at his residence in Chodová Planá, Czechia, earlier this week.

Tsoukernik, 51, was hospitalized in critical condition on Monday following what has been reported as an overdose involving the sedative propofol, the same drug that killed pop star Michael Jackson.

But after 40 hours in a coma, Tsoukernik woke up. “I just received word that Leon was able to wake up,” a confidential source from the businessman’s inner circle told Blesk.

A Critical Fight for Life

According to doctors at Prague’s Na Homolce Hospital, “There was a risk that Tsoukernik would not be able to wake up, but we succeeded,” a neurologist explained. “He is far from done, and it may happen that he will never be the same again. The patient may not be able to perceive, speak, or move. It is a matter of how much his brain is damaged.”

The next steps in Tsoukernik’s treatment involve further testing. “An MRI scan of the brain can tell us how the situation will develop,” the neurologist added.

Emergency responders rushed Tsoukernik to the hospital by helicopter after he collapsed on Monday night. Reports indicate the incident involved an unprofessional administration of propofol, a powerful anaesthetic that requires expert handling. Police have initiated criminal proceedings on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

A Storied Past, An Uncertain Future

Tsoukernik is best known as the visionary behind King’s Resort, a world-class poker destination in Rozvadov. Over the years, he amassed nearly $5.5 million in live poker earnings and played a pivotal role in bringing the World Series of Poker Europe to Czechia.

Despite selling his 60% stake in King’s Resort for an estimated €400 million in 2024, Tsoukernik remained a prominent figure in the poker and business world. His love for high-stakes poker, lavish lifestyle, and entrepreneurial ventures made him a celebrated and, at times, controversial personality.

Now, the man once dubbed “the King of Casinos” faces the fight of his life. The poker and business communities will undoubtedly await updates as doctors work to assess the long-term effects of his recent ordeal.

Calum has been a part of the PokerNews team since September 2021 after working in the UK energy sector. He played his first hand of poker in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the game.

Calum has written for various poker outlets but found his home at PokerNews, where he has contributed to various articles and live updates, providing insights and reporting on major poker events, including the World Series of Poker (WSOP).