Top 7 Richest Gamblers You Should Know

It's the dream of many people to get rich in one way or another. Some people have managed to do this through gambling. Of course, nothing can be guaranteed with gambling activity. So, you should never place your hopes on getting rich this way. Yet some people have been very lucky. Here, we will look at the top 7 richest people in gambling.

Bill Benter – Worth $1 Billion

When you consider professional gambling, it would be wrong to not mention Bill Benter. Born in 1957 in Pennsylvania, he has spent a lot of time focusing on horse racing betting. He earned almost all his $1 billion net worth by developing software programs. These are still used in the horse racing market today. Benter has also served as president of the Hong Kong Rotary Club. Plus, he founded the Benter Foundation in 2007. He is also known for his contributions to charity and political groups.

Edward Thorp – Worth $800 Million

What do you get when you cross a maths professor, an author, a hedge fund manager and a blackjack researcher? You get Edward Oakley Thorp, that's what. Born in Chicago in 1932, Thorp pioneered the modern applications of probability theory. He also authored the book Beat the Dealer. This proved, through mathematics, that players can overcome the house advantage in blackjack. How? Through card counting, of course. Blackjack is available at many of the top-rated online casinos in the world. Card counting is more often used in land-based casinos, though. Thorp is now worth over $800 million.

Billy Walters – Worth $250 Million

Some people gamble at casinos. Others like engaging in sports betting. For Billy Walters, the latter is true. He has proven time and again that sports betting can be very profitable in the right situations. It's fortunate that many of the biggest casinos online also feature sportsbooks, too. While he is now retired from gambling, Walters is still one of the richest people from it. He had a winning streak on sports betting that lasted over 30 years. Unfortunately, he served a prison sentence of five years. That came from insider trading charges relating to his LA-based sports betting company.

Phil Ivey – Worth $100 Million

Professional poker players can make a killing at the tables. Poker tournaments take place throughout the year in different locations. They even occur online, with many international casinos hosting poker rooms. Phil Ivey is one of the success stories in the poker world. Born in California, he is one of the wealthiest gamblers around today. His total winnings include more than $26 million from live poker tournaments. Several more millions come from online games he has won. Ivey is also a ten-time World Series of Poker champion.

Chris Ferguson – Worth $80 Million

Sticking with the poker scene, Chris Ferguson is another rich gambler from the game. He began playing poker during his childhood years back in the 60s and 70s. Then, in the mid-90s, he started entering official poker tournaments. His first World Series was completed in 1995. Today, he owns six WSOP bracelets. He had a stunning run in 2000, becoming the main event champion. Ferguson is also the only poker player to have won three WSOP circuits and six bracelets.

Doyle Brunson – Worth $75 Million

Once again, it is poker that has created a millionaire in Doyle Brunson. Worth $75 million, he has over 50 years of experience in the scene. He's played in the WSOP almost every single year since it began. From that, he has earned two WSOP championships and ten WSOP bracelets. Brunson also wrote the book, Super/System in 1979. It remains a popular guide to playing poker to this day. He revised the book in 2000, incorporating insights from other poker players. To add to that, two Texas Hold'em game hands bear his name.

Howard Lederer – Worth $60 Million

The final addition to this list is 58-year-old Howard Lederer. Another professional poker player, he has built up his wealth from this. Yet income has arrived from other areas, such as his Tiltware Inc. company. This brand is the owner of the Full Tilt Poker website. He reached the final table at the WSOP eight times before he won his first bracelet. His second one came in the following year. Lederer has also secured 44 money finishes in the World Series of Poker. Many of the best US online casinos have been host to his winning ways with poker gaming. Furthermore, he has made more than a dozen appearances on “Poker After Dark”. His video commentary on other tournaments has also provided extra entertainment.