While most individuals argue that all casino games are based solely on luck, there are a few seasoned players who have carved out successful careers in gambling. These game experts firmly believe that achieving victory in physical or online casinos requires a great deal of skill and a deep understanding of the game.
In honor of these geniuses, we have taken a retrospective look at the years gone by and compiled a list of the top 5 wealthiest gamblers of all time. Most of these bettors began as ordinary players and later honed their skills and strategies, amassing enough wealth to establish themselves as the world's finest gamblers. Shall we delve deeper into the lives of these renowned professional players?
Bill Bender
- Estimated net worth: $100 million annually.
- Famous for play blackjack , horse racing.
After graduating from college with a physics degree, the brilliant mathematician Bill Benter made a fateful decision to employ his expertise in card counting at blackjack tables. It was through the guidance of Edward Thorp's book that he honed his techniques and refined his strategies, setting the stage for his remarkable success.
After seven years of tearing down the house, Benter eventually found himself banned from most Las Vegas casinos and relocated to Hong Kong. During his time in Asia, he, in collaboration with Alan Woods, devised a formula that would later assist players in predicting the outcome of horse races.
Rumors abound about Bill Benter, the renowned philanthropist and professional gambler, who is widely regarded as the wealthiest player in the world. He has made a significant mark in the gambling industry by spearheading the creation of the world's first software-assisted gaming operation, which is considered a resounding success. With annual earnings estimated at $100 million, Benter's prowess is further highlighted by his ability to amass anywhere between $5 million to $10 million in a single day of racing. Not only is he a household name among professional players, but he is also renowned for his philanthropy, generously donating to charitable organizations and politicians alike.
Tony Bloom
- Estimated net worth: up to 1.7 billion dollars.
- Famous for sports betting and poker.
Anthony (Tony) Bloom is a poker legend and the chairman of a football club. He serves as the owner of the United Kingdom's largest betting consultancy syndicate, Starlizard, a company known for generating hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue annually.
The company's employees employ intricate methodologies, in addition to their game expertise, to formulate football odds that are even more accurate than those provided by bookmakers. These probabilities are subsequently marketed to specific bettors, enabling them to outperform the market and generate long-term profits.
Bloom's gambling journey commenced during his childhood, wherein he utilized his personal funds to spin the reels of online slot machines, a pursuit that persisted into his adolescence. In fact, he even resorted to assuming a false identity in order to place some bets at the tender age of 15. Following a stint as an accountant and later as a trader, he resolved to embark on a path towards becoming a professional sports bettor and gaining entry into the realm of affluent gamblers.
Edward Thorp
- Estimated net worth: $800 million.
- Famous for baccarat betting e blackjack.
With a Master's degree in Physics and a Ph.D. in Mathematics, Thorp possessed an intellect that surpassed the norm. Renowned as the "father of card counting," Edward Thorp devised the initial system and subsequently applied it in real-world scenarios. His innovation revolutionized the realm of mathematics and propelled him to great acclaim.
Furthermore, he is the writer of the book "Outsmart the House: A Winning Approach to Blackjack," where he outlines his card counting technique along with his groundbreaking point system, which has been effectively utilized by blackjack players worldwide.
He was a pioneer in utilizing computer simulation to refine his blackjack strategies and later devised card counting techniques that significantly enhanced players' odds. Through the utilization of computer simulations, he became the foremost player to develop and refine his blackjack strategies, subsequently inventing card counting methods that greatly bolstered players' prospects.
Thorp meticulously and systematically delved into the study of blackjack, captivating casino bosses as he amassed mind-boggling sums of money. Subsequently, Thorp channeled his intellectual prowess into the stock market, reaping substantial wealth through investments in stocks and hedge funds.
Andrew Black
- Estimated net worth: $670 million.
- Famous for play bridge To engage in horse racing and place bets.
British entrepreneur Andrew Black is a passionate racehorse owner and professional bridge player. With his avid interest in horse racing, he has become a prominent figure in the industry. Alongside his endeavors in the equestrian world, Andrew co-founded Betfair, which has grown to become the world's largest and pioneering betting exchange.
In his youth, Black worked in a derivatives business, but he gradually found greater success as a gambler, earning enough to quit his job and focus on gambling as a full-time activity. As gambling didn't provide him with sufficient financial support, he made the decision to establish a software company. During that period, he occasionally played bridge with Wray and introduced him to a prototype he had programmed. This prototype caught Wray's attention and flourished by gaining Wray's interest and investment.
The Betfair was launched by the duo in 2000. In 2010, the Betfair got listed on the London Stock Exchange at a price of £13 (valuing at £1.4 billion), resulting in Black's 15% stake being worth approximately £200 million.
Zeljko Ranogajec
- Estimated net worth: 600 million Australian dollars.
- Rephrased version: Known for his exceptional performance in the world of soccer, he has gained immense popularity and admiration from fans across the globe. online keno game Blackjack, horse racing, and sports betting.
Recognized worldwide as "The Joker" and one of the wealthiest players globally, Zeljko Ranogajec is a master mathematician who delved into the realms of banking, finance, and taxation. He is a renowned Australian entrepreneur and professional gambler, boasting an estimated annual revenue exceeding $1 billion.
Having a penchant for indulging in various games of chance, Ranogajec has mastered the art of blackjack card counting and has been racking up profits through wagers placed at Australian casinos. Boasting an impressive $7.5 million win in keno, he has earned the reputation of being one of the wealthiest players globally.
According to the Daily Mail, Ranogajec pursued Commerce and Law at the University of Tasmania in the 1980s, where he teamed up with a gifted mathematician, David Walsh, to make money at the casino. While horse racing remains Ranogajec's primary focus, sports betting also piques his interest. Despite splurging nearly $3 billion on casino gaming annually, this middle-aged man strives to maintain his privacy.