The Top 10 Richest and Most Famous Gamblers in History
Who are the most famous gamblers in history?
A long list could include poker players like those mentioned in our best lady poker players in history guide and sports bettors. But we’ve narrowed it down to the ten most successful and notable.
1. Phil Ivey
Considered by many to be the best gambler in the world, Ivey is primarily a poker player and currently has 11 World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets. He has also won big at the baccarat table and has been embroiled in a few lawsuits, with casinos claiming he won millions of dollars using a technique known as edge sorting.
2. Archie Karas
Archie Karas is best known for “The Run,” a winning streak that began with a $10,000 loan and ended in a $40 billion bankroll three years later. The Greek professional gambler claimed to have gambled more money than anyone else, and he had the stats to back up this claim.
Karas, who passed away in 2024 aged 73, played poker, craps, and baccarat and also hustled a lot of money playing pool.
3. Nick Dandolos
Best known as Nick the Greek, Nick Dandolos was a high roller who won big money, betting on horse racing and playing poker. He gambled millions during his lifetime. Reports suggest he was broke and limited to playing small-stakes poker games by the end.
Still, the sheer scale of his wagers and winning/losing streaks make him one of history’s most famous sports celebrity gamblers.
4. Kerry Packer
Packer was a media tycoon with a passion for gambling. In 1999, he earned the unenviable record of the biggest losing streak in British casino history when he lost AUD $28 million over three days playing at London casinos.
He also won millions at the same casinos and once took the MGM Grand in Vegas for AUD $33 million.
5. Tony Bloom
Tony Bloom is a famous sports bettor and poker player who has invested heavily in European soccer clubs. His net worth is more than $1 billion, although much of that came from his business dealings.
6. William Benter
One of the most famous gamblers in the world, William Benter, is a billionaire sports bettor often called the world’s most successful horse racing gambler. He created horse racing analysis software that earned him over $1 billion.
7. Edward Thorp
Edward Thorp wrote Beat the Dealer, a blackjack book considered essential reading for aspiring blackjack pros. He is one of the world’s most famous gamblers, winning countless millions playing table games.
8. Billy Walters
Walters is one of the world’s most successful sports bettors, with a reported winning streak that lasted for several decades. He is also a best-selling author, owning several businesses and a real estate portfolio.
9. Phil Hellmuth
Hellmuth is a Hall of Fame poker player with more WSOP bracelets than anyone else. He has tens of millions in lifetime earnings from cash and tournament games.
10. Chris Ferguson
As we proved in our guide on tips on how to win at the casino with $20, you don’t always need to start with a big bankroll, provided you’re willing to work for those wins. Chris Ferguson, a poker player affectionately known as “Jesus,” proved this when he completed a challenge to turn $0 into $10k, beginning with freerolls and building from there.
Ferguson also has six WSOP bracelets, including a Main Event win in 2000.
How to Become a Professional Gambler
We have previously discussed how viable it is to play games like blackjack professionally and in professional slot machine player myth or reality? We discussed how difficult it can be to go pro with games of chance. That’s why many pros stick with games that have a strong skill element or rely on knowledge.
To become a professional gambler, you need big capital, a lot of skill, and plenty of luck. The pros also negotiate with casinos and sportsbooks to get bonuses, join loyalty schemes, and improve certain game rules.
For instance, they may agree to bet big on the blackjack tables in exchange for cash back on their losses and specific dealer rules. They also collect points through VIP schemes that help offset some losses while acquiring bonuses such as Gambler’s Insurance (learn everything about Gamblers Insurance bonus here).
More of the Richest Gamblers
Many gamblers didn’t make this list. In our Vegas Matt net worth blog, we discussed influencer gamblers. While they are certainly famous and successful, few have achieved the heights of Phil Ivy or Nick the Greek.
Some 19th-century gamblers who deserve mention include Alan Woods, who played blackjack and bet on horse racing, and Charles Wells, a gambler known as Monte Carlo Wells due to his success at Monte Carlo Casino.
Summary: The Most Famous Gamblers
These famous gamblers constitute a very small minority of gamblers, and while their winning streaks are eye-opening and even aspirational, they also have their fair share of losing streaks. Keep this in mind if you’re hoping to follow in their footsteps, and remember always to gamble responsibly!
Casino Common Queries
What is a professional gambler?
It’s someone who gambles for a living. They keep a strict bankroll (a gambling budget) and use casino perks, game knowledge, and strategy to reduce the house edge.
Who is the best gambler in the world?
It’s debatable and hard to quantify, as gamblers don’t reveal all their wins and losses. However, Phil Ivey deserves a shout as he has succeeded at whatever he turns his hand to.
How much is Mikki Mase worth?
Mikki Mase is considered worth anywhere from $10 million to $43 million.
How much is Billy Walters worth?
Walters has a net worth of over $200 million.
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