Top 10 Richest Gamblers Worldwide
While casinos usually hold the winning cards, a select few gamblers have remarkably reversed their fortune. These gamblers rely on unique strategies, immense courage, and mathematical insights to amass wealth through betting.
Here’s a look at the ten richest gamblers in the world and their incredible gambling journeys. Their stories continue to inspire players across the globe, including those exploring the growing world of online casinos in Australia, where both skill and luck still play pivotal roles in big wins.
1. Kerry Packer – $5 Billion
Australian tycoon Kerry Packer inherited vast wealth but became legendary for his extraordinary gambling adventures. Known for massive wagers, Packer famously lost around $40 million within ten months in London and Las Vegas.
Nevertheless, Packer also had exceptional winning streaks, notably earning $20 million within 40 minutes through high-stakes blackjack sessions in 1995.
2. Tony Bloom – $1.5 Billion
Tony Bloom, famously mysterious and known as “The Lizard” for his calculated poker strategy, started playing poker casually after studying mathematics at Manchester University.
While poker winnings netted him around $2.5 million, Bloom’s significant fortune emerged from Starlizard, his betting consultancy firm, reputedly placing multimillion-dollar bets on global soccer matches.
3. Bill Benter – $1 Billion
Bill Benter began by card counting in Vegas before transitioning to horse racing. He created an innovative algorithm in Hong Kong, accurately predicting race outcomes.
After years of refining the method, Benter’s betting model started earning millions annually, most famously correctly predicting Hong Kong’s lucrative Triple Trio bet.
Today, Benter dedicates his time to lecturing and philanthropy worldwide.
4. Edward Thorp – $800 Million
Edward Thorp, credited with inventing card counting, revolutionized blackjack by developing mathematical systems that consistently outperformed casino odds.
His groundbreaking 1962 book, “Beat the Dealer,” sold millions of copies. Thorp also pioneered early wearable tech to conquer roulette and eventually applied his analytical skills successfully to the stock market.
5. Alan Woods – $500 Million
Alan Woods partnered initially with Bill Benter, turning their mathematical expertise from blackjack to horse racing after casinos blacklisted them.
After their partnership dissolved, Woods independently developed a profitable betting system, accumulating around half a billion dollars despite legal complications that forced him to relocate to the Philippines.
6. Zeljko Ranogajec – $420 Million
Nicknamed “The Joker,” Zeljko Ranogajec built his immense wealth as an advantage gambler. Initially succeeding at blackjack, he later collaborated with Alan Woods and eventually founded his syndicate, Bankroll.
Ranogajec’s betting volume is enormous, reportedly exceeding $3 billion annually. His influence on Australian betting markets remains significant, notably affecting Betfair Australia.
7. Billy Walters – $200 Million
Sports betting legend Billy Walters is acclaimed for his extraordinary consistency, famously recording only one losing year across nearly four decades of gambling.
Walters leveraged analytical skills to exploit overlooked collegiate sports, notably wagering substantial sums like $250,000 on NCAA basketball games. His betting career suffered a setback when he faced charges of insider trading.
8. Dan Bilzerian – $200 Million
Famous social media personality Dan Bilzerian boasts poker as the primary source of his lavish lifestyle, though concrete evidence of his claimed winnings remains scarce.
Bilzerian rarely participates in public poker tournaments but insists that he makes millions from private, high-stakes games against wealthy opponents.
9. David Walsh – $200 Million
David Walsh began gambling through card counting during university, partnering early on with Zeljko Ranogajec.
Walsh developed predictive software instrumental in Ranogajec’s Bankroll syndicate. Known for bold risks, Walsh once bought $11 million worth of lottery tickets, securing a $60 million jackpot. Today, he invests significantly in an underground art museum in Tasmania.
10. Phil Ivey – $100 Million
Highly respected poker professional Phil Ivey is celebrated worldwide for his exceptional poker talent, securing numerous prestigious titles, including ten World Series of Poker bracelets.
Ivey famously won millions from billionaire opponents, notably taking $16.6 million from banker Andy Beal in one session. His poker prowess remains widely acknowledged in the gambling community.
Final Thoughts
These gamblers exemplify exceptional strategies, mathematical insight, and daring risk-taking. While their methods vary, their common trait remains unparalleled skill in tipping the odds in their favor.