Gambling isn’t some surefire ticket to getting filthy rich quick or anything, but you know what? There are these folks who’ve managed to rake in a decent chunk of change from gambling, and also from running their own businesses. We’re talking about those high-stakes gamblers who actually hit the jackpot – for real. You ever wonder who’s sitting pretty on the top of the richest gamblers list?
Yeah, we were curious too. Some people keep debating whether it’s all about luck or if there’s actual skill involved, but one thing’s dead certain: these guys and gals on this list are swimming in cash. It’s not an everyday thing to strike it rich like this, but guess what? It does happen! So, today, we’re checking out ten of the big shots in the professional gambling world and how they made their bank.
But let’s be real, their gambling mojo has had a lot to do with their other moneymakers. So, when it comes to cold, hard cash…
List of Richest Gamblers In The World
Howard Lederer
He’s made around $60 million. Howard Lederer is a poker player and he’s also helped others become better at poker. He’s written books, been on poker TV shows, and done commentary. He even started a poker website.
Phil Ivey
He’s got about $100 million. Phil Ivey is really good at poker and has won a bunch of tournaments. He’s one of the best poker players in the world and has won 10 bracelets in the World Series of Poker.
Billy Walters
His net worth is around $100 million. Billy Walters is famous for winning bets on sports for over 30 years. He used computers to help him pick the right bets and made a lot of money.
Terry Ramsden
He’s worth $200 million. Terry Ramsden made money in business and also from betting on horse racing. He started with small bets and eventually made billions.
| Rank | Name | Net Worth | Achievements | Notable Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tony Bloom | $1.7 billion | Poker and sports betting, property investment, chairman of football clubs, entrepreneur | Involved in various business ventures, ownership of football clubs |
| 2 | Bill Benter | $1 billion (est.) | Horse betting expert, started with blackjack, developed software for predicting horse races | Exceeded $100 million annual earnings through his ventures |
| 3 | Edward O. Thorp | $800 million | Successful blackjack player, authored “Beat the Dealer,” applied math to stock market | Developed card counting strategies, transitioned to stock market success |
| 4 | Alan Woods | $500 million (est.) | Blackjack and horse betting, card counting skills, partnered with Bill Benter in Hong Kong | Studied math, learned card counting from bridge players |
| 5 | Zeljko Ranogajec | $450 million (est.) | Advantage gambling: horse betting, blackjack, Blackjack Hall of Fame inductee | Self-taught card counting skills, success in horse betting |
| 6 | Dan Bilzerian | $200 million (est.) | Claims poker success, other businesses and investments, brand ambassador for GGPoker | Speculated that wealth comes from family money and various ventures |
| 7 | Terry Ramsden | $200 million | Successful in Japanese business, made money from horse betting | Ranked 57th richest person in the UK at one point, faced financial setbacks |
| 8 | Billy Walters | $100 million | Legendary Las Vegas sports bettor, 30+ year winning streak, Computer Group member | Transitioned from car salesman to full-time sports betting |
| 9 | Phil Ivey | $100 million | “Tiger Woods of Poker,” 10 WSOP bracelets, Poker Hall of Fame inductee | Youngest to win 10 WSOP bracelets, record for non-Hold’em events |
| 10 | Howard Lederer | $60 million | Poker player, authored books, appeared on poker shows, founder of Full Tilt Poker | Older brother of Annie Duke |
Dan Bilzerian
He’s maybe worth $200 million. Dan Bilzerian says he made his money playing poker, but some people don’t believe him. He’s also involved in other businesses and investments.
Zeljko Ranogajec
He’s worth around $450 million. Zeljko Ranogajec is good at gambling on horses and blackjack. He learned to count cards and won a lot of money.
Alan Woods
His net worth is about $500 million. Alan Woods was really skilled at blackjack and later bet on horses. He used math to help him win.
Edward O. Thorp
He’s worth $800 million. Edward O. Thorp played blackjack and wrote a book on how to win. He also used math to make money in the stock market.
Bill Benter
He’s worth about $1 billion. Bill Benter started with blackjack, but he’s really good at betting on horses. He made software to help him predict horse races.
Tony Bloom
He’s worth $1.7 billion. Tony Bloom is into poker and sports betting. He’s also invested in property and owns football clubs.
These gamblers show that while gambling isn’t a sure way to get rich, some people have used their skills and strategies to make a lot of money from it.
