The saying goes that the house always wins, but there are exceptional gamblers who have turned the odds in their favor and amassed fortunes through skill, bravery, or sheer wealth. Here are the stories of some of the wealthiest gamblers in the world:
- Kerry Packer – $5 Billion: Known for his high-stakes gambling, Packer experienced both incredible wins and devastating losses, including a $40 million losing streak and a $20 million win in just 40 minutes.
2. Tony Bloom – $1.5 Billion: Starting as a poker player, Bloom transitioned to become a successful betting consultant, founding Starlizard, a top betting firm known for wagering millions on soccer leagues globally.
3. Bill Benter – $1 Billion: Utilizing mathematical algorithms, Benter achieved remarkable success in horse racing betting, earning tens of millions annually and becoming a billionaire.
4. Edward Thorp – $800 Million: Thorp pioneered card counting and later invented wearable computers to gain an advantage in blackjack and roulette. He then applied his skills to the stock market, further increasing his wealth.
5. Alan Woods – $500 Million: Woods partnered with Benter in blackjack card counting before developing his successful betting model for horse racing, amassing a vast fortune despite legal scrutiny.
6. Zeljko Ranogajec – $420 Million: Dubbed “The Joker,” Ranogajec founded his betting syndicate, Bankroll, focusing on horse racing and placing bets worth billions annually.
7.Billy Walters – $200 Million: Walters achieved consistent success in sports betting, particularly in collegiate sports, using analysis to gain an edge over bookmakers until his conviction for insider trading.
8. Dan Bilzerian – $200 Million: Though primarily known for his social media persona, Bilzerian claims to have earned his wealth through underground poker games, where he allegedly won millions in a single night.
9. David Walsh – $200 Million: Walsh combined mathematical prowess with bravery, developing software for predicting horse race outcomes and even purchasing millions in lottery tickets to win a jackpot.
10. Phil Ivey – $100 Million: Renowned as one of the best poker players globally, Ivey’s victories in prestigious tournaments and high-stakes games against billionaires have contributed to his considerable wealth.
These individuals have demonstrated that, with skill, strategy, and sometimes luck, it’s possible to beat the odds and become immensely wealthy through gambling.
Note: The original content is based on material from casino.org.
Credit: Original content by casino.org.