Richest Gamblers: Who are the most successful gamblers of all time?

Do you want to know what’s the best way to get rich is? Some would try their luck in gambling to become rich. Although, some people would argue with you because casino games are based on pure luck. Thus, you will only get addicted to it. Even though it can be true, still, some experienced players manage to become one of the richest gamblers in the world. They made a career out of gambling, maybe because they have their own casino strategy? Thus, they join the ranks of the most famous gamblers of all time.

So what does it take to become the best gambler in the world?

These successful gambling experts hold to their belief that winning in a casino involves a lot of gaming experience. As well as knowledge, thus, they do not just in pure luck alone. Aside from that, being a successful gambler depends on the game you are playing. Not to mention that your drive, passion, and willingness to take risks matters.

Below is the list of the most famous and richest gamblers of all time. Also, their stories behind their success.

Richest Gamblers in the World

Bill Benter (Richest gamblers in the world with a net worth of $100 million annually)

Famous for playing in horseracing and Blackjack. Bill Benter is a mathematics genius and legendary in the gaming world. After getting his physics degree in a university, he decided to use his knowledge in card counting at Blackjack tables.

What a lucky man, right?

Well, his luck continues as he journeyed to Las Vegas and join an Australian team of card counters. In estimate, he has pocketed over one billion dollars during his career. All thanks to Edward Thorp that helps Bill to improve his methods in card counting.

Is this how he become one of the richest gamblers in the world?

Well, sort of. Sadly, after 7 years of bringing the casino down, he has been banned from most of Las Vegas casinos. Then, he decided to move to Hong Kong.

However, aside from card counting, he develops a horseracing algorithm for Hong Kong horse races in the 1980s. Bill is truly a math genius for developing this algorithm. Since then, he began to win money from predicting the outcome of the horse races.

More remarkably, he helps in the creation of the first software-assisted gambling operation in the world. According to rumors, Bill Benter is making $100M annually. Oftentimes, he is raking in $5-$10M in a single race. Thus, making him one of the richest gamblers in the world.

On top of that, he is not only a famous gambler but, also a known philanthropist. Bille Benter is a big donor to charity and political groups.

Tony Bloom (With an estimated combined net worth of up to $1.7bn)

Famous for playing Poker and sports betting. Anthony (Tony) Bloom is legendary in Poker and a football club chairman. Bloom owns the UK’s biggest gambling consultancy syndicate Starlizard.

This company is believed to be making hundreds of millions of pounds each year. The company workers are using complex methodologies and understanding of the game to make football odds. Their predictions are even more precise than the ones offered by bookmakers online. Then, these football odds are sold to specific individuals. So that they can beat the market and generate winning returns in the long run.

Who is the best gambler in the world?

In the year 2009, Tony Bloom takes over the Brighton & Hove Albion football club. In 2017, he led promotion into the Premier League. Also, it is rumored that he has invested over £200 million into Brighton. Aside from that, he gives £93 million in 2011 as well. So that the club can move into a modern stadium with a bigger capacity.

Since childhood, Bloom has been gambling. He used his pocket money to spin the reels of fruit machines. Then, he continues his fascination with gambling to his teenage years. When he was 15, he even used a fake ID to place a wager at the meager. After becoming an accountant and a trader, he decided to change his career. Instead, he wants to become a professional bettor. So, he enters the circle of rich and famous gamblers.

Well, what can you say? Tony Bloom is now one of the successful gamblers in the world.

Edward Thorp (With a net worth of $800 million)

Thorp is famous for playing casino table games like Blackjack and Baccarat. Edward Thorp is a mathematics professor with a master’s degree in physics. Aside from that, he also got a doctorate in mathematics.

Well, you could say that he is quite a genius.

He invented the original card counting system in Blackjack. That is why he is known as the “Father of Card Counting“. On top of that, he writes the famous book: “Beat the Dealer: A Winning Strategy for the Game of Twenty-One”. In this book, he tells the details about his card counting. Aside from that, you can also read his revolutionary point system that helps card players all over the world.

Successful Gamblers?

Thorp is surely one of the famous gamblers in the world. He is the first player who use a computer simulation to develop his Blackjack strategies. Then, later on, invented card-counting methods that help Blackjack players to improve their odds.

Do you think he is lucky?

Well, Thorp works hard and systematically studies Blackjack. Moreover, he examined every part of the game thoroughly. After perfecting his method, he began winning lavish amounts of money. Thus, stuffing his pockets with cash. Because of that, he attracts the attention of casino bosses.

Later on, he also applied his intelligence and insights to the stock market. Thus, he made a fortune in securities and hedge funds.

Andrew Black (With a net worth of $670 million)

Black is famous for playing horse racing and bridge. Andrew Black is a British entrepreneur who is a keen racehorse owner. Aside from that, he is also a professional bridge player. Not only that, but Black is also a co-founder of Betfair. Betfair is the world’s first and largest bet exchange.

When does he started gambling?

As a kid, Black started working in a derivatives business. However, he is becoming more and more successful as a gambler. In the end, he is earning adequate money in winnings so that he give up working. Then, decided to focus on gambling full-time.

However, gambling does not provide him with sufficient financial support. That is why he decided to set up a software business.

During that time, he still occasionally played bridge with Wray. Then, showed him a prototype he had programmed which caught Wray’s attention. Soon after, it succeeded in securing Wray’s interest and investment. Then, they agreed to start Betfair in 2000.

In 2010, the firm get listed on the London Stock Exchange. Betfair has a share price of £13 (at that time it values at £1.4bn). Thus, making Andrew Black’s 15% share worth about £200m. His fascination with gambling makes him one of the richest gamblers in the world. 

Zeljko Ranogajec (With $600 million AU net worth)

Zeljko Ranogajec popular for playing Blackjack, horse racing, keno, and sports betting.

Ranogajec is famous around the world as “The Joker“. At the same time, he is one of the richest gamblers in the world. He is a master mathematician who studied finance, banking, and tax laws. He is also a famous businessman in Australia as well as a professional gambler.

How does he become one of the richest gamblers around the world?

Furthermore, he has an estimated annual betting turnover claimed of over $1 Billion. Like Thorp and Benter, Ranogajec also mastered Blackjack card counting. Hence, he started making money staking at casinos in Australia.

He holds the record of winning the $7.5 Million jackpot on Keno. His winnings make him known as one of the richest gamblers around the globe.

Furthermore, Ranogajec mainly focuses on horse racing. However, he picks interest in sports betting, too.

Chris Ferguson (With an $80 million net worth)

Chris Ferguson is famous for playing Poker. This professional online gambler is a winner of the famous Poker competitions online:

• Six World Series of Poker Events
• 2000 WSOP Main Event
• 2008 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship

Soon after, he joined the circle of the best professional poker players in the USA and globally.

What is more interesting is that Ferguson starts playing online poker at the age of 10. Although, he is using the fun mode. Then, started practicing his gameplay in chat rooms.

After getting his doctorate in Computer Science at UCLA, he founded the Full Tilt Poker. However, while his company is reaching great profits, the company’s license was suspended. Because Chris Ferguson, Rafe Furst, and Howard Lederer are taking out their customer’s money for personal gain.

The case was dismissed after Ferguson settled to pay back a part of the funds owed to players. Currently, Ferguson’s net worth is estimated to be around $80 million.

Richest Gamblers FAQs:

Who is the richest gamblers in the world today?

Currently, Bill Benter is the richest gambler around the globe. Hence, he is believed to be making $100 Million yearly.

Who is the most successful gambler on the globe?

Billy Walters is one of the most successful gamblers and sports bettor in Las Vegas. Although retired, he holds the record of having a winning streak extending for over 30 years.

Do professional online gamblers pay taxes?

Yes, all players who make gambling a profession must pay taxes. Whether you are a full-time or part-time gambler, you are obligated to pay tax on your winnings. Even if you played in land-based or online casinos, you need to report your gambling income to your IRS.