Casino and hotel operator Sheldon Adelson, the 18th-richest person in the world, is indeed the new owner of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, according to a report on Wednesday.

The largest circulation paper in Nevada was sold last week for $140 million, a very rich price, but the new owner was not identified and went to great lengths to remain anonymous.

Despite the best efforts of the R-J staff, and many media outlets nationwide, no one could ID the new owner past its News + Media Capital Group name.

On Tuesday, The Post, citing sources, reported Adelson was the likely buyer. At 3:47 p.m. on Wednesday, Fortune magazine, citing “multiple sources familiar with the situation,” named the 82-year-old tycoon — worth $23.7 billion, as the owner.
The lack of clarity on the identity of the buyer has enraged the paper’s staff, who started a Twitter campaign to try to unmask the secret buyer.

Less than two hours after the Fortune report, Adelson told CNN he had “no personal interest” in the R-J.

Adelson did not return an e-mail seeking comment.