In the world of gambling from ancient times until now, most people have shared the common belief that they will never be able to beat the house. Moreover, a few even consider gambling to be a sin, causing economic and familial repercussions. Particularly, gambling is perceived as a matter of luck, with risks outweighing the rewards. However, in reality, many casino gamblers have overcome initial challenges to emerge victorious. Not only that, they have also amassed enormous wealth, the envy of many. Who are they? In today's article, Wintips will walk you through the Top 12 richest gamblers in the world 2024.
Richest gamblers in the world 2024 - Top 12 name
1/ Kerry Packer
Kerry Packer may have become the richest person in Australia thanks to his family's business empire, but he will always be remembered for his gambling ventures. This is because Packer always played big. Part of playing this way involved losing enormous amounts of money, and Packer is known to have experienced some staggering losing streaks in his gambling career.
The most famous of these is 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 occasionally had 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 at the same time.
2/ Ed Craven - Richest gamblers in the world
Ed Craven, also known as Eddie, is a captivating figure in the world of high-stakes gambling. As an Australian billionaire, he amassed significant wealth at the age of 27 through technology business ventures and online gambling. Craven's ownership of Stake.com, an innovative cryptocurrency-based gambling casino, has allowed him to harness the power of cryptocurrency and traditional casino games to create a robust development platform.
Additionally, he co-founded Kick, a groundbreaking online streaming platform that has made waves in the digital entertainment industry. With an estimated net worth of $2.01 billion, Craven's success in both the gambling and cryptocurrency industries is undeniable. His latest venture, Kick, has gained momentum by signing agreements with renowned content creators and implementing a revenue-sharing model.
3/ Edward Thorp
Edward Oakley Thorp, known for his expertise in mathematics, is famous for creating the first card counting system. Thorp is dubbed "The Man Who Beat the Dealer". Thorp's work extends beyond gambling. His application of Probability Theory and statistical analysis to games of chance has influenced various fields, including finance and economics.
Although card counting is technically legal, many casinos consider it cheating. Card counting involves assigning values to cards and tracking the distribution of high and low cards, which casinos and non-counting players view as manipulation of the game.
Through 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, 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 remarkable achievement of three WSOP Main Event wins and six bracelets, a feat unmatched by any other poker player. This outstanding record reflects his immense talent and enduring success in the highly competitive world of poker.
5/ Phil Ivey - Richest gamblers in the world
Phil Ivey is widely recognized as one of the best poker players in the world, and his impressive trophy collection attests to this claim. He has an outstanding collection that includes an impressive 10 World Series of Poker bracelets. Such stellar performances demonstrate Ivey's exceptional ability and talent on 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 stories and rumors, Ivey is said to have 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 negotiate high-stakes tournaments with remarkable success and sophistication.
6/ Bill Benter - Richest gamblers in the world
Billy Walters, a prominent figure in the world of sports betting, has amassed a colossal fortune through his decades-long gambling activities. Despite facing numerous controversies, Walters' sports betting prowess cannot be underestimated. By employing complex analysis and insider information, Walters has transformed sports betting into an art form, accumulating a fortune believed to have reached hundreds of millions of dollars at its peak.
Based on various reports, Walters achieved his most significant win in 2010, earning $3.5 million by betting on Super Bowl XLIV. This event is one of the most-watched Super Bowls to date, with over 106.5 million viewers. In the first two decades of his career, Walters wasn't very successful in gambling. However, after developing a winning strategy for sports betting, he has only "gone red" once in the past 39 years.
7/ William Walters
William Walters is known for his remarkable 30-year winning streak. He is a former professional gambler, philanthropist, and American entrepreneur. He started gambling at the age of 9, betting on sports. However, luck didn't favor him when he turned 22, as he suffered losses of about $50,000. He even lost his house, but the winner agreed not to take possession, and Walters paid off the debt within 18 months.
In 1986, Walters and his gambling partner won $3.8 million playing Roulette, surpassing Richard Jarecki's record of $1.28 million set in 1971. Sports betting has also brought William Walters substantial profits. He earned $3.5 million in Super Bowl XLIV and $2.2 million by betting on Southern California to defeat Michigan.
8/ Zeljko Ranogajec - Richest gamblers in the world
Zeljko Ranogajec, famously 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. Utilizing his outstanding mathematical skills and expertise in banking, finance, and taxation, along with his time spent in casinos, Ranogajec has mastered the art of card counting at Blackjack tables.
Zeljko's experience working at Blackjack tables in casinos and his specialized knowledge of various Blackjack variants, such as California No Bust and Surrender Rules, are crucial factors in his gambling success. Ranogajec, also known as John Wilson, possesses such exceptional gambling prowess that he has faced bans from major casinos in both Australia and Las Vegas.
9/ Alan Woods - Richest gamblers in the world
Alan Woods, a professional gambler from Australia, accumulated the majority of his wealth through horse racing betting in Hong Kong, collaborating with Bill Benter. Starting his gambling career as a skilled card counter and Blackjack player, Woods shifted his focus to horse racing and sports betting after encountering Benter during a visit to 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 sold has a staggering value of $70 million.
10/ Dan Bilzerian
Dan Bilzerian is a controversial figure on social media and in the world of gambling, earning him the nickname "Instagram King" due to his lavish lifestyle. In addition to his online persona, 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 $10.8 million playing poker.
However, Bilzerian remains a polarizing figure, facing allegations of fabricating and exaggerating his gambling winnings. On January 18, 2017, Doug Polk, a professional poker player, released a video on YouTube refuting Bilzerian's claims, asserting that Dan inherited his wealth rather than earning it through poker.
11/ Tony Bloom - Richest gamblers in the world
Like many people who make money from the gambling world, Tony Bloom is a man of little mystery. What we do know is that he studied maths at the University of Manchester and started playing poker for fun. Over the years, this hobby has earned him around $2.5 million and helped him play in several major tournaments including the World Poker Tour and Poker Million IX, where he finished second.
It was also at the poker table that Bloom nicknamed himself "The Lizard" because of his cold-blooded style of play. However, the majority of Bloom's wealth does 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 they bet millions of dollars on football leagues around the globe.
12/ Andrew Black - Richest gamblers in the world
Black began his career in computer programming. Later, he transitioned into 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, which could 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 featuring markets of over 1 million. The website is one of the premier platforms offering Crash Gambling and other exciting new games.
FAQs about the top most richest gamblers in the world
How do taxes and legal considerations affect the net income of top gamblers?
Tax and legal considerations that significantly impact net income, depending on jurisdiction, winnings, and navigational legal framework, can affect 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.
Conclude
So, we have introduced to you in detail the Top 12 richest gamblers in the world in 2024. Truly, for those involved in gambling, the names mentioned above serve as role models for learning and striving towards success in the future. Gambling has been prevalent for many centuries. Some have turned it into a profession, accumulating fortune through bold bets and wise strategies. Of course, there are risks involved, but consider them as experiences to refine yourself for the future. Wishing you success and early prosperity in gambling.
See also: Compilation of the best sports bettors in the world (update 2024)
