The Tony Bloom Story: From Poker Tables to Premier League Ownership

Every time you grab a no-deposit bonus or free spins from your favorite online casino, it feels like you’ve just hit the jackpot — the thrill of winning without risking a penny. But what if that lucky streak turned into a way of life? What if playing poker in UK wasn’t just a hobby, but the gateway to something much bigger?

 

Every time you grab a no-deposit bonus or free spins from your favorite online casino, it feels like you’ve just hit the jackpot — the thrill of winning without risking a penny. But what if that lucky streak turned into a way of life? What if playing poker in Romania wasn’t just a hobby, but the gateway to something much bigger?

Behind the rise of Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League and the spectacular comeback of Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise is a man whose entire life has revolved around one thing: the game. Whether it was fate or calculated risk, Tony “The Lizard” Bloom went from a beginner in the world of betting to one of the most influential football club owners of the last decade. With shrewd management, impressive sporting results, and a quiet humility noted by his staff, Bloom's journey feels like it was made for the big screen.

According to Pokertube, Tony Bloom’s net worth sits around $1.4 billion, putting him among the wealthiest individuals with roots in poker. Beyond the tables, he founded Starlizard, a cutting-edge sports betting consultancy said to generate over $122 million annually. It's not your average betting company — it's powered by elite data analysts, sports experts, and a deep focus on identifying “value bets,” those rare moments when a bookmaker underestimates a team or athlete.

Bloom’s passion for numbers led him to study mathematics at the University of Manchester, followed by a stint at Ernst & Young as an accountant. There, he realized his profits weren’t luck — they were the result of studying betting markets in depth, especially the Asian handicap markets in football. That insight led to the creation of Starlizard, built to serve wealthy clients with precision betting advice backed by serious data science.

"Poker gives you a great foundation for many things — reading situations, understanding people, and making tough decisions," Bloom once said. "Those skills transfer well into business and definitely into running a football club."

While he started out playing slots and placing football bets, the early 2000s introduced him to another passion: poker. Bloom played at major tournaments like the World Poker Tour and Poker Million, and over a decade, he earned around €3.3 million — gaining the nickname The Lizard for his cool-headed moves under pressure.

The Man Who Made the Seagulls Soar

In 2009, Tony Bloom bought Brighton & Hove Albion — a team with no notable legacy, stuck in the third tier of English football. On paper, it seemed like a gamble. But the emotional pull was too strong to resist. His grandfather Harry and uncle Ray (who still works at the club) had served as vice-chairman and manager in the '70s and '80s. A lifelong fan, Bloom took the plunge.

From that moment, everything changed. The club that once shared a ground with Gillingham got a state-of-the-art stadium, developed a distinct style of play, and became one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League. Under managers Graham Potter and now Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton plays a fluid, possession-based attacking game that has won admirers across Europe. They’ve even reached the Europa League knockout rounds for the first time in their history. More impressively, they've sold players for over £360 million in just the past two seasons — proof of their brilliant scouting and development model.

It took years for the Brighton project to take off, but what Bloom achieved in Belgium is almost mythical. His second club, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, returned to Belgium’s top flight in 2021 after 48 years in the wilderness. Once the most decorated team in the country with 11 league titles, RUSG had been forgotten — until Bloom stepped in. With a budget a fraction of traditional giants like Anderlecht or Genk, they’ve become league leaders and secured back-to-back European campaigns, including a run in the UEFA Conference League.

You might say Tony Bloom got lucky — and sure, luck plays a part in poker, betting, and football. But what truly defines his journey is work ethic, dedication, and an analytical approach to risk. At a certain point, it’s no longer about chance — it’s about skill, vision, and the guts to back your own instincts when the stakes are highest.