In the world of gambling, from ancient times to the present day, most people have shared a common belief that they can never beat the house. Moreover, a few consider even gambling to be a sin, leading to economic and family consequences. In particular, gambling is perceived as a matter of luck, where the risks outweigh the rewards. However, many casino gamblers have overcome initial challenges and emerged victorious. Furthermore, they have amassed enormous wealth, making them the envy of many. Who are they? In today's article, Wintips will walk you through the Top 12 richest gamblers in the world in 2025.
Richest gamblers in the world 2025 - Top 12 name
1. Kerry Packer
Kerry Packer became the richest person in Australia due to his family's business empire, but he is best remembered for his gambling ventures. He was known for placing high-stakes bets. His high-risk gambling style led to massive losses, and he endured several staggering losing streaks throughout his career.
The most famous of these was a 10-month period from September 1999 to July 2000, when he lost around $40 million while playing at both Crockford's Casino in London and the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Fortunately for Packer, he also had very occasional hot streaks. Perhaps his greatest gambling feat was in May 1995, when he won $20 million in just 40 minutes by playing multiple hands of blackjack worth $250,000 each.
2. Ed Craven - One of the richest gamblers in the world
Ed Craven, also known as Eddie, is a prominent figure in the world of high-stakes gambling. As an Australian billionaire, he amassed significant wealth at the age of 27 through technology ventures and online gambling. Craven's ownership of Stake.com, an innovative cryptocurrency-based casino, has allowed him to harness the power of cryptocurrency and traditional casino games to create a robust gaming platform.
Additionally, he co-founded Kick, an innovative online streaming platform that has significantly impacted the digital entertainment industry. With an estimated net worth of $2.01 billion, Craven has achieved remarkable success in both gambling and cryptocurrency. His latest venture, Kick, has expanded rapidly by partnering with top content creators and adopting a revenue-sharing model.
3. Edward Thorp
Edward Oakley Thorp, a mathematical genius, is best known for developing the first card-counting system. He is widely recognized as "The Man Who Beat the Dealer." Thorp's work extends beyond gambling. His application of probability theory and statistical analysis in games of chance has profoundly shaped fields such as finance and economics.
Although card counting is not explicitly illegal, many casinos classify it as cheating. Card counting involves assigning values to cards and tracking the distribution of high and low cards, a strategy that both casinos and non-counting players perceive as game manipulation.
By mastering various games, Thorp gained global renown by triumphing over casinos, earning himself a place in the esteemed Blackjack Hall of Fame. His overall impact on gambling and probability is undeniable. He challenged the status quo, empowered players with knowledge, and paved the way for a more analytical approach to games of chance.
4. Chris Ferguson
Chris Ferguson, like many other talented gamblers, discovered his passion for poker at a young age. Ferguson began his professional poker career in the mid-1990s, playing in various events. His breakthrough came in 1995 when he made his debut at the prestigious World Series of Poker (WSOP).
Ferguson, who is considered one of the wealthiest gamblers in the United States, boasts an impressive collection of six World Series of Poker bracelets. His biggest achievement came in 2000, when he won the main event, solidifying himself as a formidable poker player.
What truly sets Ferguson apart from his peers is his unprecedented achievement—three WSOP Main Event titles and six bracelets—an accomplishment no other poker player has matched. This remarkable track record showcases his immense talent and sustained dominance in the fiercely competitive poker scene.
5. Phil Ivey - One of the richest gamblers in the world
Phil Ivey is widely regarded as one of the greatest poker players, and his impressive trophy collection proves this point. His achievements include an astonishing 10 World Series of Poker bracelets. These remarkable achievements highlight Ivey's exceptional skill at the poker table.
While these victories may bring in substantial prize money, Ivey has also earned large sums by competing against famous millionaires like banker Andy Beal. According to rumors, Ivey defeated Beal in just one match, earning an incredible $16.6 million. This achievement not only showcases Ivey's unique approach to the game but also demonstrates his ability to navigate high-stakes tournaments with remarkable success and sophistication.
6. Bill Benter - Among the richest gamblers in the world
Bill Benter, a prominent figure in the world of professional gambling, has amassed a colossal fortune through his decades-long betting activities. Despite facing numerous controversies, Benter's sports betting prowess cannot be underestimated. By employing complex analysis and mathematical modeling, Benter has transformed sports betting into an art form, accumulating a fortune believed to have reached hundreds of millions of dollars at its peak.
According to multiple reports, Walters secured his biggest win in 2010, earning $3.5 million from betting on Super Bowl XLIV. This event remains one of the most-watched Super Bowls in history, drawing over 106.5 million viewers. During the first two decades of his career, Walters struggled with gambling success. However, after developing a winning strategy for sports betting, he has suffered a loss only once in the past 39 years.
7. William Walters
William Walters is renowned for maintaining an extraordinary 30-year winning streak. He is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former professional gambler. He began gambling at the age of 9, initially placing bets on sports. However, his luck took a turn for the worse at 22 when he lost approximately $50,000. He even lost his house, but his creditor agreed not to take possession, allowing Walters to repay the debt within 18 months.
In 1986, Walters and his gambling partner won $3.8 million playing roulette, surpassing Richard Jarecki's 1971 record of $1.28 million. William Walters has also made substantial profits through sports betting. He earned $3.5 million in the Super Bowl XLIV and $2.2 million by betting on the Southern California Trojans to defeat Michigan.
8. Zeljko Ranogajec - One of the richest gamblers in the world
Zeljko Ranogajec, known as 'The Joker' in the gambling world, has amassed a significant fortune through diverse gambling activities such as keno, blackjack, sports betting, and horse racing. By leveraging his exceptional mathematical skills and expertise in banking, finance, and taxation, along with years of experience in casinos, Ranogajec has mastered the art of card counting at the blackjack tables.
Zeljko's experience at Blackjack tables and his specialized knowledge of various Blackjack variants, such as California No Bust and Surrender Rules, are key factors in his gambling success. Ranogajec, also known as John Wilson, has remarkable gambling prowess, leading to bans from major casinos in both Australia and Las Vegas.
9. Alan Woods - One of the richest gamblers in the world
Alan Woods, a professional gambler from Australia, built most of his fortune through horse racing betting in Hong Kong, working closely with Bill Benter. Woods began his gambling career as a skilled card counter and Blackjack player but later shifted his focus to horse racing and sports betting after meeting Benter in Las Vegas.
Woods is renowned for his analytical approach to gambling, characterized by his mastery of sports betting and his relentless pursuit of new strategies to gain an edge over bookmaker. One of the most fascinating facts about horse racing is that the most expensive horse ever sold was valued at a staggering $70 million.
10. Dan Bilzerian
Dan Bilzerian is a controversial social media personality and a prominent figure in the gambling world, earning him the nickname 'Instagram King' due to his extravagant lifestyle. Beyond his internet presence, Dan is passionate about high-stakes poker, claiming to have won up to $50 million in just one night. In 2014, Dan Bilzerian tweeted that he had won an astonishing $10.8 million in a single poker game.
However, Bilzerian remains a polarizing figure, facing allegations of exaggerating or fabricating his gambling winnings. On January 18, 2017, Doug Polk, a professional poker player, released a video on YouTube disputing Bilzerian's claims, arguing that Dan inherited his wealth rather than winning it from poker.
11. Tony Bloom - One of the richest gamblers in the world
Like many successful gamblers, Tony Bloom is a man of few known details. What we do know is that he studied mathematics at the University of Manchester and initially played poker as a hobby. Over the years, this hobby has earned him around $2.5 million and enabled him to compete in several major tournaments, including the World Poker Tour and Poker Million IX, in which he placed second.
It was also at the poker table that Bloom gave himself the nickname 'The Lizard' because of his cold-blooded style of play. However, the majority of Bloom's wealth did not come from poker. Instead, he made millions of dollars by starting his own betting consulting company, Starlizard. Many reports say that Starlizard is one of the leading betting companies in the world and that it bets millions of dollars on football leagues around the globe.
12. Andrew Black - Among the richest gamblers in the world
Black began his career in computer programming. Later, he transitioned to becoming a professional gambler, developing a unique betting strategy centered around placing large bets on horse races. After his brother's passing, he briefly worked at a derivatives company in London but left to pursue his passion for gambling. Black then founded a software company, where he met Edward Wray while playing bridge.
Wray saw potential in Black's algorithm, designed to predict the outcome of horse races. He decided to invest in the project and, together, they founded an online betting exchange called Betfair. Betfair Casino is the world's largest betting exchange, processing over 5 million transactions daily and offering over 1 million betting markets. The website is one of the leading platforms offering crash gambling and a variety of innovative betting games.
FAQs about the top richest gamblers in the world
How do taxes and legal considerations affect the net income of top gamblers?
Tax and legal considerations significantly impact net income, depending on the jurisdiction, winnings, and the legal framework they navigate, ultimately affecting overall financial results.
What types of games or betting have contributed to their wealth?
Games like poker, blackjack, sports betting, and horse racing are significant sources of wealth for these gamblers.
Do online casinos usually withdraw money faster than real casinos?
Yes, online casinos tend to have faster withdrawal processes than real casinos.
Conclusion
So, we have provided you with a detailed introduction to the top 12 richest gamblers in the world in 2025. For those involved in gambling, the names mentioned above serve as role models for achieving success. Gambling has been prevalent for many centuries. Some have turned it into a profession, accumulating fortunes through bold bets and wise strategies. Of course, there are risks involved, but consider them experiences that help you improve your skills for the future. Wishing you success and early prosperity in gambling.
See also: Compilation of the best sports bettors in the world (update 2025)
