Have you ever wondered who the most successful sports bettor in the world is? Are they a modern-day Great Gatsby, extravagant millionaires, or perhaps tech gurus and analytical minds? Would it surprise you if they were famous superstars and athletes like Floyd Mayweather or dazzling movie stars like Ashton Kutcher? It's no secret that sports betting is a multi-billion dollar industry. In this article, Wintips will send you the top 7 best sports bettors in the world. Let's keep an eye on who they are.
Best sports bettors in the world - Who are they?
1. Ben “Parlay Patz” Patz
Ben "Parlay Patz" Patz was born in 1996 and began betting on sporting events as soon as he reached the legal age. At the age of eighteen, he joined an overseas sportsbook and started placing bets on games. Because of his remarkable success with parlay betting, his friends dubbed him "Parlay Patz." His first legal bet was on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao fight, placing a $90 bet. He experienced some initial success but later quit sports betting to focus on his studies at the American University of Paris.
However, this financial setback didn’t stop Parlay Patz from making his famous parlay picks. He continued hitting multiple 12-leg parlays, securing payouts of up to $75,000. However, he encountered an unlicensed sportsbook that refused to honor his winnings. They only paid him $12,000 from his $75,000 winnings.
Nevertheless, this was enough for him to get back into the parlay game. After hitting three long-shot parlays each week, Parlay Patz became a millionaire overnight. His two favorite sports to bet on are soccer and basketball, at both the collegiate and professional levels.
2. William T. “Billy” Walters - One of the best sports bettors in the world
If there's anyone renowned in the world of sports betting, it's William 'Billy' Walters. Even regular betting communities are familiar with the legend Walters has created. Born into a family of gamblers, Walters was destined for a life of betting. At just nine years old, he placed his first bet using money earned from his newspaper route. Having started gambling at such a young age, Walters grew his net worth to $200 million.
His first bet was on a major baseball game, but he ultimately lost. However, after witnessing his father lose at poker many times, he learned to accept defeat gracefully. As he matured, he developed a sports betting enterprise in Las Vegas, eventually earning millions of dollars.
3. Marco D’Angelo
Another prominent figure in the world of sports betting is Marco D'Angelo, whose biography demonstrates his integrity. Known for his honesty and desire to help other bettors, D'Angelo is open about his betting strategies. While most savvy bettors maintain a low profile, D'Angelo showcases his choices through podcasts and WagerTalk. Having gambled since the 1980s, D'Angelo transitioned from betting on horses to sports. Studying D'Angelo's betting style can provide valuable insights.
To successfully engage in legal sports betting, he places bets based on percentages. He avoids over-betting by staking only a small percentage of his bankroll. Continue reading to explore Marco D'Angelo's sports betting career and gambling history.
Analyzing data is crucial for any skilled sports bettor or handicapper, and Marco D'Angelo is no exception. He focuses on intangible factors that go beyond raw statistics. His approach, known as 'the Marco Method,' focuses on identifying unique traits that demonstrate how statistical data can be misleading. Moreover, every game involves more than just numbers.
4. Jimmy Snyder - One of the best sports bettors in the world
Jimmy's analysis of sports betting history reveals how he played a key role in normalizing and ultimately popularizing legal sports betting across the United States. Born as Demetrios Georgios Synodinos, Snyder rose to fame as a sports betting analyst on CBS in the 1980s but later lost favor due to controversial remarks.
Jimmy the Greek should not be underestimated for his importance as one of the most famous sports bettors of all time, as his influence extends far beyond his work on TV. Snyder lived from 1918 to 1996, with significant milestones in his life outlined below. Upon arriving in Florida, Jimmy the Greek began earning a living by professionally gambling at Florida's racetracks and engaging in sports betting. He lived in Florida for about 15 years.
5. Teddy “Covers” Servansky - Among the best sports bettors in the world
When reviewing the history of sports betting and gambling, Teddy "Covers" Sevransky's prominence is evident. A professional gambler since the 1990s, Sevransky possesses a profound understanding of gambling, which holds significant value. Teddy currently provides betting picks services for those looking to increase their earnings. Upon moving to Las Vegas, Sevransky became highly sought after by media companies due to his expertise in sports betting, with estimates of his net worth reaching $100 million.
Sevransky is highly involved in the legal gambling and sports betting community. He has appeared in 'Life on the Line,' 'Action,' and ESPN's 30 for 30 series on sports betting. Additionally, he has been featured in prominent publications including the Boston Globe, the New York Times, and reports by the Associated Press, as well as magazines such as Cigar Aficionado and Playboy. However, he is best known for his appearances on CBS, CNBC, and Bloomberg TV. Renowned sports bettor Teddy 'Covers' Sevransky is known for his meticulous attention to detail.
6. Haralabos “Bob” Voulgaris
Born in 1975, Haralabos 'Bob' Voulgaris is a Canadian sports bettor of Greek descent and a professional poker player. Bob Voulgaris's history in sports betting sets him apart from other famous bettors. He thrives in the limelight and has gained recognition for his remarkable success in NBA betting. Many in the gambling community consider him the 'world's top NBA bettor,' a title backed by his skills and a reported net worth of up to $2 million.
Like most legal sports bettors today, Voulgaris is adept at calculating, utilizing advanced statistics, and tracking various metrics to make his betting decisions. However, his greatest advantage may be his ability to integrate psychology into his betting strategy. This could be a reason for his success not only in sports betting but also in poker.
7. Bill Benter - One of the best sports bettors in the world
Bill Benter was one of the first bettors to develop and perfect an advanced handicapping system, a method that helped him make millions from horse racing in Hong Kong. The system is based on the premise that certain variables influence the outcome of the race. Benter and his team created an algorithm incorporating 20 variables related to horse racing to determine the true odds for each horse. The term "real odds" refers to betting odds that closely reflect a horse’s actual probability of winning.
Benter's method originally used 20 variables but has since expanded to approximately 130. Thanks to its accuracy, the system is said to deliver a 24% return on revenue. Therefore, industry insiders estimate that Bill earns around $100 million per year. He invests a significant portion of this income into the Benter Foundation, which supports health, education, and the arts.
8. Gadoon “Spanky” Kyrollos - One of the best sports bettors in the world
Gadoon 'Spanky' Kyrollos is regarded as one of the most prominent sports bettors in New Jersey. He is a native of New Jersey and knows exactly how to push the boundaries. His journey into gambling began at the age of 15. In New Jersey, he frequently attended a festival where he discovered an illegal dice game open for betting. This discovery sparked his deep interest in the world of gambling. His family's strong influence also played a significant role in shaping his passion for gambling.
His family frequently engaged in gambling, even placing bets on board games. Spanky was a sharp and perceptive child. When other kids began selling trading cards at school, Spanky didn't look for ways to bet on them—he saw an opportunity and started selling cards himself. As a young boy, this was how Gadoon "Spanky" Kryollos began his journey into sports betting. Later, he used his earnings to venture into legal sports betting. Initially, he suffered quick losses. However, as he grew older and honed his betting skills, Spanky became a legend in New Jersey’s sports betting scene.
9. Floyd Money Mayweather
Originally nicknamed "Pretty Boy Floyd," it’s no surprise that Floyd Mayweather, Jr., transitioned from dominating the boxing ring to becoming known as "Money." However, "Money" Mayweather is not only a successful boxer but also a high-stakes sports bettor.
Mayweather has been engaged in legal sports betting for many years and does not shy away from placing large bets or sharing his winning wagers. Rather than simply collecting cash, he flaunts his wins through photos, boasting to his 30 million followers on Instagram and Twitter. Of course, he still maintains his reputation and never publicly shares evidence of his losses—only rumors circulate.
10. Bill “KrackMan” Krackomberger - One of the best sports bettors in the world
Having lived in Nevada for over two decades, Bill 'KrackMan' Krackomberger is one of the most famous sports bettors in Las Vegas and across sportsbooks in the United States. He took a gamble by moving from New Jersey to the desert before the 2008 economic downturn because he knew he could confidently bet on sports to make a living. He has appeared on major networks such as ESPN, Fox, CNN, and Showtime. Recently, he launched his own sports betting advisory app, offering both free and paid picks for subscribers.
KrackMan has explored the complexities of legal sports betting through his professional wagering on various games. By leveraging promotions, bonuses, and free play opportunities, Krackomberger has capitalized on casino advertising to his advantage, ensuring he maximizes every opportunity. Knowing when to fold is just one of the reasons he has become a successful gambler.
What do the best sports bettors in the world have in common?
Trial and error are integral parts of sports betting and are common among all renowned sports bettors. No one is born with a perfect strategy. It takes a wealth of knowledge to succeed in sports betting, making it a continuous learning experience.
Research, understanding of the sport, bankroll management, and knowledge of odds are key factors influencing how top sports bettors achieve consistent profits. It all boils down to numbers—whether it's odds or the amount wagered—and all bettors need to understand them.
They learn early to gamble cautiously until they discover the strategic approach that leads to long-term success. The key is discipline and self-control to place bets only on sensible wagers to reap the rewards. Seeking the best value bets is also a common habit among top sports bettors.
A few sports betting experiences from experts
Don't be too confident in your predictions
As astute sports bettors, we only place wagers when we have a statistical advantage. Therefore, don't be overly confident and believe you can succeed without a proper strategy. Certainly, there will be times when you place a bet only to later wish you had chosen the other team. You must understand that long-term profitability comes from adhering to the numbers. The more you place bets with a positive expected value, the greater your profits and winning percentage will be.
Focus on profits big or small
Sportsbooks typically have an expected profit margin of around 4.5%. This means that for every bet placed at -110 odds, the sportsbook expects to retain 4.5% of the total wagered amount over time. This applies to Money Lines, spreads, point differentials, and any betting lines set at -110 odds. An event like the Super Bowl tends to be the best time of the year for sports betting bookmaker, both for fans and sportsbooks alike. Betting volume tends to increase during such events, leading to higher potential profits for the sportsbooks.
During major events like this, sportsbooks aim to balance the money evenly on both sides. This ensures that, regardless of the outcome, they still secure a profit. This profit comes from the house edge, as sportsbooks require bettors to wager $110 to win $100 instead of $100 to win $100 in an even-money scenario.
Find out the best bet value
Finding good value in sports betting can be challenging. Don't assume you can rely on your knowledge alone. The best way to find an edge is through advanced statistical analysis. For example, in baseball, simply betting on the team with the better pitcher is not enough. Sportsbooks recognize the better pitcher and factor this into the odds they set.
This is a strategy that many players might follow and could end up losing money. Sportsbooks know who the better pitcher is. They factor this into the odds they use.
Bet with logic, not with emotion
Emotions can cloud the judgment of sports bettors, especially when wagering hard-earned money on games. While we may expect to win, relying on emotions to place bets can ultimately lead to losses. Using logic like a sports bettor is essential. When we lose money, we cannot double down to try to recoup our losses! Bankroll management is key.
A gambler will fall into these pitfalls. As professionals, we consider ourselves investors. We select the best lines and only wager on a game if we have a quantifiable edge against the sportsbooks. The total number of wins and losses doesn't matter to us every day. We must manage our bank accounts correctly and get the correct values.
Conclusion
Above is a list of the best sports bettors in the world with a huge fortune of the same name has been confirmed. You can follow the posts on the personal pages of these people such as Facebook, Twitter, and IG to learn more experience. Especially for those who are new to sports betting for the first time, this will help us increase our knowledge of betting. Visit Wintips every day to keep up to date with more exciting betting news.
See also: Best sports betting Instagram accounts - Top 10 picks (2025)
