Howie Mandel, best known as host of America's Got Talent, revealed his most lucrative investment isn't in entertainment but in Las Vegas real estate. On the In Depth podcast, Mandel told Graham Bensinger that his commercial properties and gas station developments have outperformed his showbiz earnings. The Canadian comedian built a portfolio starting in the 1980s when Vegas was experiencing rapid growth.

Mandel's strategy focused on anticipating where new housing developments would emerge. He would purchase two acres of undeveloped land near planned subdivisions before construction began. His insight: 'These are 2,000 families. Where are they going to get gas? Where are they going to buy their groceries?' This led him to develop strip malls featuring gas stations, convenience stores, and car washes that would serve the incoming residents. The comedian noted that Nevada's tax benefits attracted people moving from other states, creating demand he capitalized on.

His empire expanded beyond residential to include commercial properties where he rents space to tech companies and creative professionals. Mandel described one building as both a 'man cave' and a sound investment, housing various businesses that 'cohabitate together.' The gas stations, however, became the cornerstone of his portfolio, proving that Mandel's business acumen extends far beyond comedy and television hosting.