Image source: Freepik
Tony Bloom is not your average billionaire. Nicknamed “The Lizard” for his icy composure at the poker table, he’s a man who built his fortune through gambling, data analytics, and football. Today, he’s known as the mastermind behind Brighton & Hove Albion’s rise, but his story stretches far beyond football pitches. The big question is: how much is he worth now, and where could his wealth be a decade from today?
From Brighton Boy to Global Gambler
Born in Brighton in 1970, Tony Bloom grew up surrounded by betting culture. A maths graduate from Manchester, he was drawn early to numbers and probabilities. That fascination became the backbone of his career.
Bloom cut his teeth in betting shops and arcades before moving into online gambling. He founded a bookmaker business in the 1990s, sold it for a tidy sum, and later helped launch gaming platforms that were acquired for hundreds of millions.
Meanwhile, he was making waves as a professional poker player. He earned millions in live tournaments and gained notoriety as a fearless, unflappable competitor. But poker was just a glimpse of his true genius. His biggest move was building Starlizard, a sports betting syndicate powered by advanced data models, which became one of the most profitable operations of its kind.
A Timeline of Wealth
- Early 2000s – Bloom was already a multimillionaire, with betting and poker earnings forming the foundation of his fortune.
- 2009 – He took over Brighton & Hove Albion, investing more than £200 million of his own money to transform the club.
- 2010s – Starlizard grew into a powerhouse, reportedly turning over hundreds of millions annually.
- Tony Bloom’s predicted net worth over the next decade makes very interesting reading.2020s – His wealth soared into the billion-pound bracket. Current estimates place him between £721 million and £1.3 billion, depending on the source.
What’s clear is that Bloom has built a consistent track record of turning opportunities into long-term value.
The Engines of His Fortune
Football Ownership
Brighton is the crown jewel. Under Bloom’s stewardship, the club rose from obscurity to the Premier League, even reaching European football. He also owns Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, has invested in Melbourne Victory in Australia, and more recently began backing Hearts in Scotland. His football empire is growing.
Data and Analytics
Starlizard remains Bloom’s financial bedrock, producing reliable returns from sports betting. Beyond this, Jamestown Analytics, his spin-off company, now sells cutting-edge football data to clubs around Europe. As data becomes the lifeblood of modern football, Bloom is already positioned as a leader in the space.
Horse Racing and Betting
Bloom’s betting syndicates remain active and influential, while his racehorses regularly compete at major events. Every win bolsters both reputation and fortune.
Other Investments
He also holds property and diversified investments, adding stability to his otherwise risk-driven portfolio.
Where Could His Wealth Be in 10 Years?
Looking ahead to 2035, Bloom’s financial trajectory points upwards. His football clubs alone could multiply in value. Brighton, for example, is now a firmly established Premier League side, and the growth of global broadcasting deals could significantly inflate the club’s worth. If Hearts or Melbourne Victory achieve continental competition success, their valuations could jump as well.
His analytics ventures have the potential to scale worldwide. Selling performance data and predictive insights to clubs in Europe, Asia, and the Americas could become a billion-pound industry on its own. Combined with Starlizard’s ongoing success in betting markets, this could be a massive driver of wealth.
Taking a conservative view, Bloom’s net worth could **double within the next decade**, rising from around £1.3 billion today to **£2.5–3 billion by 2035**. A more aggressive prediction, factoring in booming football valuations and tech-driven analytics growth, could see him push even higher.
Final Thoughts
Tony Bloom is far more than a football owner. He’s a strategist who thrives on risk, yet always with data behind his decisions. Over three decades, he’s built an empire stretching from poker tables to Premier League boardrooms.
The qualities that got him here—calm thinking, sharp analysis, and the courage to back himself—are the same ones that could propel him to even greater wealth. If current trends continue, the next ten years could see Tony Bloom become one of the wealthiest figures in global sport, with a net worth comfortably in the multi-billion range.
Photo: Freepik
