tony bloom

Tony Bloom: The Billionaire Gambler Who Beat the Odds

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Tony Bloom: The Billionaire Gambler Who Beat the OddsHave you ever heard of Tony Bloom? If you’re into horse racing, poker, or football betting, chances are you already know his name. But if you don’t, buckle up—because this man is the epitome of high-stakes gambling mastery.

Nicknamed “The Lizard” for his ice-cold demeanor at the poker table, Bloom isn’t just another professional gambler—he’s a billionaire who cracked the code of betting. From a childhood spent sneaking into betting shops with a fake ID to building the world’s most powerful sports betting syndicate, his rise is nothing short of legendary.

Poker Prodigy – Over $3.5 million in live tournament winnings, including the Australasian Poker Championship (2004).

Racing Royalty – Owns multiple winning racehorses, including Energumene, a back-to-back Queen Mother Champion Chase winner.

Football Mogul – Chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion since 2009, steering the club to the Premier League and European football.

From Betting Shops to Billionaire Status

Born in Brighton (1970), Bloom was introduced to gambling by his grandfather, a greyhound owner. His obsession with numbers led him to study mathematics at Manchester University, but the real education happened outside the classroom—where he turned spread betting into a lucrative career.

After brief stints in accountancy and trading, he ditched the 9-to-5 life to bet full-time. By the late ’90s, he was already a major player in the Asian betting markets, working with bookmakers before launching Premierbet, which he later sold for £1 million.

The Starlizard Empire

In 2006, Bloom founded Starlizard, a sports betting consultancy so powerful it moves markets. Based in London, it employs top analysts, statisticians, and researchers to provide data-driven insights for high-stakes gamblers. Clients bet billions annually, making it the most sophisticated betting operation on the planet.

Brighton’s Football Revolution

Taking his gambling instincts to the football pitch, Bloom became Brighton’s major shareholder in 2009, investing £93 million to build the Amex Stadium. Under his leadership, the club climbed to the Premier League (2016-17) and made history by qualifying for European competition in 2023.

A Legacy of Risk & Reward
From a young punter losing his bankroll to a billionaire gambling icon, Bloom’s story proves that fortune favors the bold. Honored with an MBE in 2024, he remains one of the sharpest minds in betting and football.

What do you think? Is Tony Bloom the greatest gambler of all time? Let’s discuss in the comments!

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Tony Bloom Pro Gambler – Timeline of a Billionaire’s Net Worth

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Tony Bloom Pro Gambler - Timeline of a Billionaire's Net WorthHave you heard of Tony Bloom, professional gambler?

If you love gambling: horse racing, poker or football then I’d be very surprised if you haven’t heard of this private figure. I’ve written many articles about professional gamblers and few have achieved millionaire status. An even smaller number billionaires.

Bloom was inspired to gamble by his grandfather who enjoyed a bet and owned greyhounds.

However, that initial seed or enthusiasm led to a professional gambler of the likes few have seen before. He may even be the greatest of them all. To many, he is a modern-day hero.

He’s nicknamed The Lizard due to his ice-cold persona at the poker table.

It’s interesting that Bloom enjoys all forms of gambling. A successful poker player winning $3.5 million in live poker tournaments including the Australasian Poker Champion (2004). He’s had his share of winning racehorses including Energumene who has total earnings of £1M winning back-to-back Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Notwithstanding his love of football, and major shareholder and Chairman at Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club since 2009. They gained promotion to the Premier League in the 2016-17 season. He invested £93 million in the clubs new ground, Amex Stadium, located in Falmer.

Bloom, born and bred in Brighton, a 1970’s child, didn’t start  with a silver spoon in his mouth, from a Jewish background.

Let’s take a look at Bloom’s timeline from a 70s child to gambling billionaire.

  • 1970 (20th March) born, Brighton.
  • 1980s: Influenced by his grandfather who like a bet, owned greyhounds and enjoyed a night at the casino. At 7 or 8 Tony used to go to the local arcades and as a teenager faked an ID to bet at the local bookies, his interests mainly football and horse racing. However, in these early years he admitted he was a ‘hopeless gambler’ and guessing.
  • 1988: Mancester University reading Mathematics. Graduated with Degree in 1990. He got involved with sports and spread betting making his hobby pay.
  • 1991: Trainee Accountant with Ernst & Young. Lasted two and half years, punting in his spare time, winning £20,000.
  • 1993: City trader learning how to trade options on the London International Financial Futures Exchange. The job lasted six months as he was winning much more money betting.
  • 1994: Professional gambler spread-betting far more aggressively. He remembers losing £5000 betting the England v West Indies Test match. He said he was ‘ridiculously bullish’ and could have lost his whole bank. The loss felt like a triumph. Insightfully he said: ‘I believe in betting aggressively and, occasionally, to win big, you have to risk losing.’
  • 1997: Contacted by Victor Chandler bookmaker to break into Asian football market. First time he learned about Asian handicap betting. Spent six month in Bangkok betting for himself and Chandler.
  • 1998: Worked for Chandler in Gibraltar operation.
  • 2002: Started bookmaker business Premierbet on eve of World Cup bring Asian handicap betting to an English audience. He sold the company for £1M.
  • 2003: Reverted from professional gambling to private betting syndicate using data analytics and algorithms.
  • 2006: Founded Starlizard sports betting consultancy, primarily football, providing data-driven insights to high-stakes gamblers (a large team based in north London: analysts, statisticians and researchers). The biggest betting operation in the world. Starlizard doesn’t place bets for itself and acts as an advisory service for private clients. They reputably place bets worth hundreds of millions each year. Later billions per annum.
  • 2009: Major shareholder and Chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club.
  • 2011: Blooms investes £93M Amex Stadium (Premier League Ready).
  • 2016/17: Brighton promoted to Premier League.
  • 2020: Rise of Brighton to Premier League and investments see net worth £1B.
  • 2023: Brighton qualifies for European competition.
  • 2024: Appointed an MBE in New Year Honours for services to association football and to the community of Brighton

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Tony Bloom: Insights on Gambling Success

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Tony Bloom: Insights on Gambling SuccessTony Bloom, often dubbed “The Lizard” for his cold-blooded demeanor under pressure, is a name synonymous with both professional gambling and sports betting. As a highly successful gambler and the owner of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Bloom’s approach to gambling is as calculated as it is legendary. What would Tony Bloom say about his gambling success, and what exactly sets him apart from other professional gamblers? To understand his mindset and methodology is to delve into the principles that have made him a towering figure in the world of gambling.

1. Discipline and Emotional Control:

One of the key factors Bloom would likely emphasize is the importance of discipline and emotional control in gambling. Bloom’s nickname, “The Lizard,” reflects his ability to remain cool under pressure, a trait that’s vital in high-stakes gambling. Unlike many gamblers who can be swayed by the excitement of a big win or the frustration of a significant loss, Bloom is known for his unwavering focus and calmness.

He understands that gambling, particularly sports betting, involves a mix of skill and chance, and emotional decisions often lead to costly mistakes. Bloom’s success is rooted in his ability to detach emotionally from his bets, ensuring that his decisions are always based on logic and data, rather than impulse.

2. A Strategic, Data-Driven Approach:

Bloom’s gambling success is largely attributed to his strategic and data-driven approach. He has a background in mathematics, which has profoundly influenced how he approaches gambling. Rather than relying on gut feelings or luck, Bloom employs sophisticated statistical models to analyze potential bets. His approach to sports betting, in particular, is akin to running a hedge fund, where each decision is backed by rigorous analysis and data.

This method sets Bloom apart from many professional gamblers who may not have the same level of mathematical expertise or the resources to develop complex models. Bloom’s use of data and analytics allows him to identify value in the betting markets that others might overlook, giving him a consistent edge.

3. Long-Term Perspective and Risk Management:

Another principle that Bloom would likely highlight is the importance of a long-term perspective and effective risk management. Bloom doesn’t gamble for short-term thrills; he’s in it for sustained success. This means being patient and not getting discouraged by short-term losses, which are inevitable in gambling.

Bloom’s approach to risk is also methodical. He understands that no matter how well-prepared you are, there will always be an element of uncertainty in gambling. To mitigate this, Bloom ensures that his bets are diversified and that no single bet can jeopardize his overall bankroll. This careful management of risk is a hallmark of his gambling career and a key factor in his long-term success.

4. Surrounding Himself with the Right People:

Bloom is known for surrounding himself with a team of experts who contribute to his gambling and sports betting ventures. He understands that no one can be an expert in every aspect of gambling, so he collaborates with data scientists, analysts, and other professionals who complement his own skills.

This collaborative approach is something that many professional gamblers overlook. By building a strong team, Bloom can leverage diverse perspectives and expertise, which enhances his decision-making and gives him a broader understanding of the betting markets.

5. Learning from Experience:

Finally, Bloom’s success is partly due to his ability to learn from both his successes and his mistakes. He has been involved in gambling for decades, and over time, he has refined his strategies and improved his decision-making processes. Bloom’s willingness to adapt and evolve is crucial in an industry where the landscape is constantly changing.

Unlike many gamblers who may stick rigidly to one method, Bloom’s flexibility and openness to learning set him apart. He continuously seeks to improve, whether through technological advancements, new analytical techniques, or by learning from past experiences.

Conclusion:

Tony Bloom’s gambling success is not the result of luck, but rather a combination of discipline, strategic thinking, and a data-driven approach. His ability to remain unemotional, manage risk, surround himself with the right people, and learn from experience has set him apart from other professional gamblers. If Bloom were to share his insights, he would likely emphasize the importance of these qualities, illustrating that success in gambling is as much about mindset and preparation as it is about the thrill of the game.

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