Who Are the Most Famous Sports Gamblers?

By Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 01 September 2023

Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief

Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.

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Most Famous Sports Gamblers

• Famous Professional Sports Gamblers: An Introduction
• Most Famous Sports Bettors: How and Why They Bet
• Billy Walters: The Legend of Sports Betting
• Tony Bloom: The Soccer Betting Genius
• Drake: Celebrity Bettor
• Haralabos Voulgaris: The NBA Betting Prodigy
• Floyd Mayweather: The Money Man
• Jim ‘Mattress Mack’ McIngvale: The Betting Furniture Mogul
• Frequently Asked Questions

Fortunes have been made and lost in the sports betting world, and each day, tens of millions of dollars are wagered on sporting events. Today, we will be looking at the most famous sports gamblers from around the world. These individuals have not only mastered the art of sports betting but have also become renowned for their unique strategies and uncanny ability to predict outcomes. Let’s get started!

Famous Professional Sports Gamblers: An Introduction

Today’s blog gives you an in-depth look at the lives and strategies of some of the most famous sports gamblers in the world. These individuals have not only won vast sums of money from sports betting, but some have even influenced the betting industry as a whole.

From Billy Walters, a legendary figure in the Las Vegas sports betting scene and one of the most famous professional sports gamblers, to Floyd Mayweather, one of the world’s greatest living boxers, we will show you some of the biggest names who bet on sports – and look at why and how they do so.

Most Famous Sports Bettors: How and Why They Bet

The world of sports betting is not for the faint-hearted. It requires a deep understanding of the sport, an ability to analyze data and trends, and a willingness to take calculated risks. Each of the famous sports bettors we talk about today has developed a unique approach to sports betting that, in many cases, has allowed them to consistently win.

Billy Walters, for example, has built a network of informants who provide him with insider information, allowing him to make informed bets. He also uses computer analysis to identify profitable betting opportunities.

Tony “The Lizard” Bloom, on the other hand, combines his poker skills with a deep understanding of sports to make his bets. He is known for his analytical approach and his ability to stay calm under pressure. Drake, one of the world’s most popular musicians, regularly wagers huge sums of money at online sportsbooks – although not without controversy.

Haralabos Voulgaris has made a name for himself in NBA sports betting through his understanding of team dynamics and player performance. He uses statistical analysis to identify profitable betting opportunities.

Then, you’ve got the more well-known sportsmen and businessmen, like Floyd Mayweather and Jim ‘Mattress Mack’ McIngvale – both multi-millionaires who are known for their aggressive betting and high stakes wagers. Now, we will break down each of these sports gamblers, looking at their betting patterns and how they do what they do.

Billy Walters: The Legend of Sports Betting

Billy Walters is a legendary figure in the world of sports betting. Born in Kentucky and raised by his grandmother, Walters started betting on sports at a young age. He moved to Las Vegas in the early 1980s and quickly made a name for himself as one of the city’s most successful sports gamblers.

Often referred to as the most successful sports bettor in history, Walters has made a fortune from his betting prowess. Known for his strategic and analytical approach, Walters has been successful in various fields, including the stock market and real estate, but it’s his sports betting ventures that have garnered the most attention.

Walters’ betting strategy was so effective that many sportsbooks stopped accepting his bets, leading him to employ runners to place bets on his behalf. Despite facing legal challenges, including a conviction for insider trading, Walters’ influence on the sports betting industry remains significant. His story serves as a reminder of the potential rewards and risks associated with sports betting.

Tony Bloom: The Soccer Betting Genius

Tony “The Lizard” Bloom is a British poker player who has successfully transitioned into sports betting. He’s one of the most famous sports bettors in the UK, and his cool, calm, and calculated approach to gambling allows him to maintain control and bet correctly. He is known for his ability to analyze data and identify profitable betting opportunities.

In addition to his sports betting activities, Bloom is the owner of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club. He has used his wealth and influence to help the club rise to the Premier League.

However, despite his success, Bloom remains a relatively private individual. He rarely gives interviews and prefers to let his betting activities speak for themselves. As a result, you may be wondering why you haven’t heard of one the most famous sports bettors on this list! Well, unless you’re a poker or Brighton FC fan, it’s unlikely you’d have heard of Bloom – but inside those circles, he has legendary status!

Drake: Celebrity Bettor

Aubrey Drake Graham, known worldwide as Drake, is not only a Grammy-winning artist but also a well-known figure in the sports betting world. His love for sports is evident in his frequent courtside appearances at NBA games, and his passion extends to placing substantial bets on his favorite teams. Drake’s betting strategy is often high-risk, high reward, reflecting his lyrics, “I’m here for a good time not a long time.”

Drake’s most notable win came from betting on the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl, where he raked in about $700,000. He also won approximately $800,000 betting on the Golden State Warriors to win the Western Conference in 2022. Despite some losses, Drake’s betting style is indicative of his larger-than-life persona and his willingness to take risks.

However, there have been accusations made that Drake isn’t betting with his own money, instead being paid by online sportsbooks to promote their sites. These rumors are currently unproven, but there appears to be mounting evidence – so it’ll be interesting to see how it pans out.

Haralabos Voulgaris: The NBA Betting Prodigy

Haralabos “Bob” Voulgaris is a name well-known in NBA betting. Known for his analytical mind and deep understanding of the game, Voulgaris made a name for himself by exploiting the unsophisticated way bookmakers predicted halftime scores in the late 1990s. His success in sports betting eventually led him to a consultancy role with the Dallas Mavericks.

Voulgaris’ approach to betting was methodical and data-driven, focusing on the tendencies of head coaches and the scoring patterns within games. His story is a testament to the power of analysis and understanding in sports betting, proving that knowledge and strategy can lead to significant success.

Floyd Mayweather: The Money Man

Floyd Mayweather, a global superstar, is also a renowned sports bettor. Known for his “money” persona in and out of the boxing ring, Mayweather has made headlines for his huge bets. His betting strategy often involves simply backing the favorite to win and placing huge amounts of cash on that one selection.

One of Mayweather’s most famous bets was a million-dollar wager on an Oregon Ducks game, which he won. His betting tactics, much like his boxing career, are characterized by confidence, risk-taking, and a love for the thrill of the game.

Jim ‘Mattress Mack’ McIngvale: The Betting Furniture Mogul

Jim ‘Mattress Mack’ McIngvale is a well-known character in the US. He’s known for placing huge sports bets – along with giving seven-figure contributions to Republican politicians. He made global headlines when he bet a giant $13 million on the 2019 World Series, incorrectly predicting that the Astros would win. Although the Astros didn’t clinch the title, McIngvale’s betting has seen him rise to some kind of legendary status among gamblers and sports fans.

McIngvale’s betting strategy is unique, often tying his bets to promotions at his furniture store, Gallery Furniture. This approach allows him to hedge his bets, ensuring that he benefits from the promotional coverage his bets generate, regardless of the outcome.

Below, we’re going to show you some other famous professional sports gamblers, which might include a couple of names you recognize: