Tony Bloom, known as ‘The Lizard’, is a man about whom little is known, but he is estimated to be worth over a billion pounds. He is the owner of a Premier League team FC Brighton and is referred to as the ‘godfather of gambling’. However, one thing is for sure – he has a unique talent for managing finances.
Despite his famous phrase “I’m not Roman Abramovich” during his ownership of Chelsea, Bloom has demonstrated his ability to handle money successfully. He is also known for his ability to place successful bets – he upset Paddy Power with one of the biggest gambles in history and was recognized as “the smartest man ever to place a bet.”
Tony Bloom’s journey to the top began with a fake ID he used to place bets while still a teenager. He became fascinated by slot machines on Brighton seafront, which eventually led him to pursue a degree in mathematics at Manchester University.
Talking to The Times about his success at the gaming table, Tony Bloom shared his views on poker, describing it as a learning experience in many areas of life, including the ability to read situations, understand people, and make difficult decisions.
He also noted that poker used to be associated with dimly lit rooms, smoking, and drinking, and while these aspects are still present, the game has become more universally accessible. With his financial success, Tony Bloom has decided to focus on growing his business Starlizard, a betting consultancy company that reportedly generates £100 million in revenue each year.
But the Starlizard company does not accept everyone. They cater to people willing to place bets of tens of thousands of pounds without the slightest hesitation. According to Bleacher Report, Starlizard only accepts clients willing to invest at least £2 million, which is half a million more than Tony Bloom has officially earned from his horses in the last five years – simply staggering figures.
In short, if you play online or like to explore sites, for example www.topcadcasinos.net, looking for free spins, you won’t be able to get advice from Starlizard. It is aimed exclusively at high rollers and the rich.
Tony Bloom is the most successful gambler on the planet
Tony Bloom is believed to be one of the most successful gamblers in the world, although his exact betting income remains unofficial. His horse, Energumen, won the 2022 Champion Races at Cheltenham and Punchestown.
However, the most amazing story of his career has been a horse called Withhold. Bought for £170,000, he gave it to Roger Charlton to train, after which the horse was neutered and didn’t race for almost a year. But his patience paid off when Withhold won a tight race at Newbury, leading to him being rated at 25-1 for the Cesarewitch race at Newmarket. His odds dropped to 12-1 on the eve of the race, and he started the morning at 9-1 before the big punters made him the favorite at 5-1 at the start. It was an incredible instant market reaction to a horse that demonstrates Bloom’s knack for successful betting.
Tony Bloom, who is usually quiet regarding his passion for horses, couldn’t help but feel proud of his four-legged athletes. Undoubtedly, his horse Withhold’s victory at the Championships amounted to a huge success, bringing the horse and its owner £155,625. For Paddy Power gamblers, the race was one of the biggest flops ever in the world of horse racing.
Tony rarely attends horse racing, but that same year, he had another huge payout – the 16:1 odds horse Penhill won the novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, bringing in £71,187. And the following year, he was again victorious when his horse won the Stayers’ Hurdle at odds of 12-1, bringing him £192,707. Such staggering successes caused untold emotion for jockey Paul Townend and his club’s fans alike.
