Who is the Best Gambler in the World? Top 8 Richest Legends
When we think of the best gambler in the world, we often imagine someone with a "poker face" and an unbreakable bankroll. While many try their luck at the tables, only a select few have the mathematical precision and nerves of steel to turn betting into a multi-billion dollar career.
These aren't just people who got lucky; they are strategic masterminds who have conquered everything from Las Vegas blackjack to international horse racing.
In this article, we’ll look at the titans of the industry—the individuals who have won more than most people can dream of and earned their place in history.
The Billion-Dollar Titans
1. Kerry Packer – The $6.5 Billion Legend
If you measure the best gambler in the world by the sheer size of their bets, Kerry Packer stands alone. An Australian media mogul by trade, Packer was known for his "whale" status in casinos. He had a legendary ability to make blackjack dealers tremble just by walking into the room.
Packer’s gambling style was high-risk and high-reward. During his annual vacations to the UK and Las Vegas, he averaged wins of about $4.6 million.
However, he also holds the record for one of the most staggering losses in history, dropping $22.06 million in a single year (1999). Despite these swings, his $6.5 billion empire proved that he was a force of nature in the gambling world.
2. Tony "The Lizard" Bloom – $1.7 Billion
Tony Bloom is the definition of a "calculated" gambler. A mathematics graduate from the University of Manchester, Bloom earned the nickname “The Lizard” because of his icy, calm demeanor at the poker table. For him, gambling is a blend of entrepreneurial spirit and mathematical skill.
Bloom first made waves by winning the Australian Poker Championships in 2004 and the VC Poker Cup in London shortly after. Today, he is widely considered one of the most successful sports bettors on the planet, particularly in the realm of horse racing.
3. Bill Benter – $1.55 Billion
Bill Benter didn’t just play the game; he hacked it. After moving to Las Vegas at age 22, he used his expertise in mathematics to master card counting, eventually becoming a "casino nightmare."
Benter’s true legacy, however, is in horse racing. He developed one of the most successful software programs in the history of the sport, which helped him earn nearly $1 billion. His transition from the blackjack tables to sophisticated algorithmic betting makes him a top contender for the title of the best gambler in the world in terms of pure technical skill.
The Masters of Strategy & Math
In this section, we look at the men who didn't just play against the house—they used mathematics to change the rules. These individuals proved that being the best gambler in the world often requires a professor’s mind and an entrepreneur’s vision.
4. Edward Thorp – The Father of Card Counting ($800 Million)
Edward Thorp is a legendary figure who bridged the gap between academia and the casino floor. An American mathematics professor, Thorp is widely credited with inventing the system of card counting. His groundbreaking book, Beat the Dealer, became a manual for anyone looking to gain an edge over the house.
His mathematical approach to blackjack was so successful that it eventually earned him a spot in the Blackjack Hall of Fame. With a net worth of $800 million, Thorp proved that the best gambler in the world is often the one who can out-think the dealer before the cards are even dealt.
5. Andrew Black – The Betting Exchange Pioneer ($670 Million)
Andrew Black’s journey to becoming one of the world’s wealthiest gamblers started in the city of London. A British entrepreneur with a deep-rooted passion for horse racing, Black initially struggled to support his lifestyle through betting alone.
This led him to combine his gambling expertise with his business acumen, eventually founding a major software business and an online gambling platform in the early 2000s. Today, with a net worth of $670 million, he remains a key figure in the racehorse ownership world and a prime example of how software and gambling can create a massive fortune.
6. Phil Ivey – The Poker Phenom ($125 Million)
Many fans of the game consider Phil Ivey to be the actual best gambler in the world when it comes to pure poker talent. Ivey’s story began in a telemarketing office, where he spent his free time competing against his co-workers.
That hobby turned into a career that includes 10 World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and a reputation for winning $16 million in a single game. Beyond his live play, Ivey was also a key figure in the development of the online poker scene, helping design the platform for Full Tilt Poker.
Whether it's the LA Poker Classic or high-stakes cash games, Ivey’s dominance at the table is undisputed.
The Poker Visionaries & The Final Verdict
In this final section, we cover the legends who used their academic backgrounds to dominate the modern poker era and summarize what it truly takes to be considered the best gambler in the world.
7. Chris Ferguson – The Computer Science Savant ($80 Million)
Chris Ferguson is a prime example of how a mathematical mind can conquer the casino. He discovered his passion for the game at a young age while studying at university. Instead of relying on gut feeling, Ferguson applied computer science principles to his strategy, which eventually led him to the biggest stages in the world.
His debut at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) was a turning point, where he showcased his elite skills to a global audience. With six WSOP bracelets to his name, Ferguson proved that if you know what you are doing, gambling can be much more than just a hobby—it can be a path to becoming one of the wealthiest gamblers in the United States.
8. Howard Lederer – The Strategic Professional ($60 Million)
Rounding out our list is Howard Lederer, a man born into a family of professional poker talent. Lederer famously dropped out of university to pursue poker full-time, a risk that paid off significantly.
With two World Series of Poker bracelets and two World Poker Tour titles, his trophy cabinet is a testament to his consistency. Beyond his own play, Lederer has contributed to the gambling community by co-authoring poker books and developing online training programs, helping others understand the complexities of the game.
What Makes Someone the Best Gambler in the World?
Becoming the best gambler in the world is about more than just having a high net worth. Based on the success stories of these eight legends, three common traits emerge:
- Mathematical Discipline: From Edward Thorp to Bill Benter, the most successful gamblers use math and software to minimize risk.
- Emotional Control: Tony Bloom’s "Lizard" persona shows that staying calm under pressure is vital for long-term success.
- Risk Management: Knowing when to walk away—and when to bet big like Kerry Packer—separates the legends from the amateurs.
Conclusion
While gambling always carries an inherent risk, these individuals have proven that skill and caution can lead to extraordinary wealth.
Whether it’s through card counting, poker mastery, or horse racing algorithms, the best gambler in the world is ultimately the one who treats the casino like a boardroom.They show us that with the right strategy, the house doesn't always have to win.