Image Source: Freepik
Have you heard of Tony Bloom? Known as “The Lizard” for his ice-cold composure at the poker table, he’s not just another gambler—but one of the wealthiest bettors on Earth, and a private legend across horse racing, poker, football, and financial markets.
From Arcade Dreamer to Teenage Gambler
Born on 20 March 1970 in Brighton, England, Anthony Grant Bloom grew up influenced by his grandfather—a greyhound racing enthusiast who introduced him to the thrill of a wager.
Applying Math to Money: University & Early Career
Tony went on to study mathematics at the University of Manchester from 1988 to 1990. After graduation, he worked as a trainee accountant at Ernst & Young and later briefly traded financial derivatives in the City—yet his betting during this time outperformed his day job by miles. By the early ’90s, he was a full-time professional gambler.
Undeterred by big swings—once daringly staking £5,000 on an England–West Indies test match and losing it all, yet celebrating the lesson learned.
Mastering Spread Betting & Building Asian Markets
In 1997, Bloom was recruited by Victor Chandler bookmaking syndicate to break into the Asian football market and spent time in Bangkok and Gibraltar honing his skills in Asian handicap betting.
The Rise of “The Lizard” in Poker
At the poker table, his uncanny calmness earned him the moniker “The Lizard”. Bloom’s live tournament winnings topped $3.8 million, including victories at the Australasian Poker Championship in 2004 and multiple high-stakes final tables.
Starlizard: Betting Analytics Powerhouse
In 2006, he founded Starlizard, a data-driven sports betting consultancy employing analysts, statisticians, and researchers. Rather than wager for itself, the firm advises high-rollers, placing hundreds of millions—and today even billions—worth of bets per year .
Racing Royalty: Energumene and Venetian Sun
Bloom’s passion extends to ownership of champion racehorses. He co-owns Energumene, back-to-back Queen Mother Champion Chase winner, and Venetian Sun, who claimed the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2025 at 12/1 odds.
Chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion
In 2009, Bloom became majority shareholder and chairman of his hometown team, Brighton & Hove Albion, investing around £93 million in the new Amex Stadium in Falmer. Under his leadership, Brighton climbed from League One to the Premier League in the 2016‑17 season—their first top-flight appearance in decades . By the 2022–23 season, they finished 6th, qualifying for European competition for the first time.
Beyond Brighton, he holds minority stakes in Belgium’s Union Saint‑Gilloise, Australia’s Melbourne Victory, and Scotland’s Hearts—recently investing £9.86 million in Hearts to secure a 29% non‑voting stake in June 2025.
Net Worth & Awards
Bloom’s diversified empire—from poker and spread-betting to football and racing—has propelled his net worth to an estimates £1.3 billion.
What Makes Bloom a Modern-Day Hero?
Tony Bloom stands out not for flashy investments or ostentatious lifestyle, but for brilliance in systematizing risk and reward. He applies mathematical rigor to gambling, poker, and football—often ahead of the curve. Whether cracking Asian markets, building Starlizard, or transforming Brighton, he plays the long game.
He treats every venture like a poker hand—analyzing odds, managing bankrolls, and folding when necessary. That blend of discipline, analytics, and calm under pressure sets him apart from almost every peer in gambling and sport. Like a true champion, he lets results speak—and those results speak brilliantly.
Tony Bloom’s journey—from arcade kid in Brighton to billionaire gambler and football chairman—reads like a thrilling high-stakes tale. A modern hero in the world of numbers, risk, and high reward.
Photo: Freepik
