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When people think of legendary gamblers, names like Kerry Packer or Edward Thorp often come to mind. Yet a man known simply as “The Lizard” quietly climbed the ranks, turning mathematical prowess into vast riches. That man is the quiet billionaire Tony Bloom—a professional bettor, poker player, betting syndicate mastermind, property investor, and now a billionaire football club owner. But can he truly be crowned the richest gambler ever to live?
Early Gambler Roots (1970s–1997)
1970 (20 March) – Tony Bloom is born in Brighton, England, into a family with deep ties to both gambling and Brighton & Hove Albion FC
Late 1970s–1980s – As a youngster, Bloom dumps pocket money into arcade fruit machines on Brighton’s West Street. He reportedly even used fake IDs to place bets at local bookies
1988 – Attending the University of Manchester, he studies mathematics—and reportedly builds a betting bankroll of around £20,000 before graduating.
The Gambling Career Takes Off (1997–2005)
1997–1998 – Bloom begins professional sports-betting as part of Victor Chandler’s venture into the Asian handicap market. He spends significant time in Bangkok and Gibraltar learning the tricks of the trade.
1998 World Cup – He stakes big on France to beat Brazil in the final—purportedly risking all of Chandler’s accumulated tournament profits. France wins 3–0, cementing Bloom’s status.
2002 – Boothing as Premierbet, a bookmaker specializing in Asian handicap, he sells it for £1 million on the eve of the World Cup.
2003–2005 – Plays high-stakes poker at international levels. Major victories include:
Australasian Poker Championship (Melbourne, 2004) – A$420,000 (~£180,000).
VC Poker Cup (London, 2005) – £200,000.
Final table appearances at World Poker Tour and Poker Million.
Building Starlizard & Betting Empire (2006–2009)
2006 – Bloom launches Starlizard, his proprietary betting consultancy and syndicate. With teams of analysts and data experts, Starlizard reportedly places hundreds of millions in bets each year and generates over £100 million annually.
2009 – Leveraging his winnings and syndicate profits, Bloom acquires a 75% stake in Brighton & Hove Albion FC and invests around £93 million in stadium development.
From Football Promotion to Billionaire – The Timeline
2011 – Brighton moves into its new Falmer Stadium (now Amex), thanks to Bloom’s capital infusion.
2016–17 – The club achieves promotion to the Premier League under his chairmanship.
2020 – Premier League status and continued syndicate earnings push Bloom’s net worth to around £1 billion.
2022–23 – Brighton qualifies for the Europa League; Starlizard continues thriving. Meanwhile, Brighton posts a record £122.8 million profit in the 2022–23 financial year.
2023 – Appointed MBE for services to football; qualifies Brighton and Union Saint-Gilloise for European competition.
Early 2025 – Net worth is estimated at £1.3 billion (≈ US$1.55–1.7 billion), according to multiple sources .
So, Is He the Richest Gambler Ever?
Net worth estimates place Bloom between $1.55–1.7 billion.
However, pioneers like Kerry Packer held fortunes near $6.5 billion, and Bill Benter is reputed to have amassed over $1 billion from horse-racing alone.
Thus, while Bloom may be the richest professional sports bettor (especially with his diversified revenue streams), he is not the absolute richest gambler in history overall.
Forecasting Future Wealth
What could the future hold for “The Lizard”?
Sports Betting Domination
– With advances in data analytics and AI, Starlizard’s edge could grow—leading to sustained high margins and syndicate returns.
Expansion in Football Clubs
– A 19.1% stake in Melbourne Victory (A‑League) was announced in March 2025. This opens new revenue streams and enhances his football empire.
Asset Diversification
– Bloom holds property and private equity investments—not public, but likely significant given his known wealth.
Horse Racing & Philanthropy
– Racehorses like Energumene (with over £1 million in prize money) diversify income, and his philanthropic work (e.g., synagogue funding) bolsters social capital.
Market Volatility
– Gambling profits can fluctuate. For instance, his own bet on horses like Atlantique lost £100,000 at Cheltenham. But such losses are small compared to upside over time.
Financial Projection (2025–2030):
Base Case: Continued profitability pushes net worth toward £1.5 billion.
Optimistic: Football expansions, syndicate growth, and property gains could push it to £2 billion+.
Risks: Regulatory changes in gambling, betting downturns, or football market shifts might restrain growth—but unlikely to decimate billionaire status.
Verdict: The Lizard’s Legacy
Tony Bloom combines razor‑sharp math, poker composure, data-driven strategy, and business acumen to stand among the richest professional gamblers ever. Though he doesn’t surpass Kerry Packer’s peak, Bloom’s diversified approach—from syndicates and poker to football clubs and racehorses—creates a formidable legacy.
At roughly £1.3 billion today, he’s not merely the richest gambler alive; he’s also the richest known sports‑bettor‑turned‑entrepreneur, with room to grow substantially.
If one defines “richest gambler” by professional earnings from betting, poker, and related ventures, Tony Bloom may well hold that crown—perhaps not the richest in sheer dollars, but unquestionably the most enduringly successful in gambling’s modern era.
In summary, Tony Bloom’s journey—from Brighton arcades to billion‑pound empire—is the definitive tale of a gambler turned businessman. His wealth continues to grow, and while others may eclipse him in headline fortunes, Tony maintains his status as possibly the most successful professional gambler alive—and a rising dynasty to watch in the coming decade.
Photo: Freepik
