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Got Rich Off Online Gambling

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Famous Americans Who Got Rich Off Online Gambling

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The rise of online gambling has led to significant wealth for several American entrepreneurs and gamblers. Here are some notable figures who have amassed fortunes through online gambling:

NameEstimated Earnings from GamblingPrimary Contribution in Gambling
Calvin AyreApproximately $1 billionFounder of Bodog, an online gambling platform offering sports betting and online poker.
Mark ScheinbergApproximately $4.5 billionCo-founder of PokerStars, which became the world’s largest online poker company.
Billy WaltersUndisclosedRenowned sports bettor known for his success in Las Vegas; utilized data analysis and betting strategies.
Vanessa RoussoOver $3 millionProfessional poker player with significant earnings from both online and live tournaments.
Ruth ParasolApproximately $1.8 billionFounder of PartyGaming, which launched PartyPoker.com, a major online poker platform.
Scott RichterUndisclosedGambling influencer known for significant wins, including a $1 million jackpot at a Las Vegas slot machine.
Nate SilverUndisclosedBegan career as a professional poker player; later gained fame for political forecasting and statistical analysis.
Phil IveyOver $30 millionRenowned poker player with substantial earnings from both online and live games; holds ten World Series of Poker bracelets.
Chris MoneymakerApproximately $2.5 millionAmateur poker player who won the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event after qualifying through an online satellite tournament.
Annie DukeApproximately $4 millionProfessional poker player with earnings from both online and live tournaments; also an author on poker strategy.
Anurag DikshitApproximately $1.6 billionCo-founder of PartyGaming, the parent company of PartyPoker.com; served as principal software architect.
Steve WynnApproximately $3.1 billionProminent figure in the American casino industry; explored ventures into the online gambling space.

1. Calvin Ayre

Calvin Ayre, a Canadian-Antiguan entrepreneur, founded the Bodog entertainment brand in 2000. Bodog became a prominent casino that is featured on almost every casino site in USA. offering services ranging from sports betting to online poker. Ayre’s success with Bodog made him a billionaire, and he was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine’s 2006 annual Billionaires edition. Despite legal challenges in the U.S., Ayre continued to expand his business interests, later venturing into the cryptocurrency space.

2. Mark Scheinberg

Mark Scheinberg co-founded PokerStars with his father, Isai Scheinberg. Launched in 2001, PokerStars grew to become the world’s largest online poker company. In 2014, the Scheinbergs sold PokerStars to Amaya Gaming for $4.9 billion, significantly increasing their wealth. Mark Scheinberg’s success with PokerStars has solidified his status as one of the wealthiest individuals in the online gambling industry.

3. Billy Walters

Billy Walters is renowned as one of the most successful sports bettors in Las Vegas. Over a 30-year career, he maintained a winning streak that made him a legend in sports betting circles. Walters utilized sophisticated data analysis and betting strategies to achieve his success, amassing a substantial fortune through his betting activities.

4. Vanessa Rousso

Vanessa Rousso is a professional poker player who gained prominence through online poker platforms. By 2007, she was a notable figure in the poker world, with significant earnings from both online and live tournaments. Rousso’s success in online poker contributed to her overall tournament winnings, which exceed $3 million.

“Poker is a combination of luck and skill. People think mastering the skill part is hard, but they’re wrong. The trick to poker is mastering the luck.” – Vanessa Rousso

5. Ruth Parasol

Ruth Parasol is an American entrepreneur and attorney who founded PartyGaming in 1997. The company launched PartyPoker.com in 2001, which became one of the largest online poker platforms globally. In 2005, PartyGaming went public on the London Stock Exchange with a valuation of $8.46 billion, significantly contributing to Parasol’s wealth.

6. Scott Richter

Scott Richter, a gambling influencer from Denver, Colorado, gained prominence through his online presence and significant wins. Notably, he hit a $1 million jackpot at a Las Vegas slot machine, which he documented on his popular YouTube channel. His success in the online gambling space has made him a well-known figure in the community.

7. Nate Silver

Nate Silver, known for his statistical analysis in politics, began his career as a professional poker player. His background in probability and risk assessment from poker contributed to his later success in political forecasting. Silver’s analytical skills, honed through online gambling, have been a significant factor in his professional achievements.

8. Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey, often referred to as “The Tiger Woods of Poker,” is acclaimed for his diverse ability to dominate both cash games and tournaments. With ten World Series of Poker bracelets and numerous online poker successes, Ivey has amassed substantial earnings and is considered one of the greatest poker players of all time.

“A lot of people think that because I’m a professional poker player that I gamble a lot, but I don’t. I make calculated decisions.” – Phil Ivey

9. Chris Moneymaker

Chris Moneymaker, an amateur poker player, won the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event after qualifying through an online satellite tournament. His victory, known as the “Moneymaker Effect,” inspired a surge in online poker participation and contributed to the poker boom of the early 2000s.

10. Annie Duke

Annie Duke is a professional poker player who gained fame through her success in both live and online poker tournaments. She has earned millions in winnings and has authored books on poker strategy, further establishing her prominence in the gambling community.

11. Anurag Dikshit

Anurag Dikshit co-founded PartyGaming, the parent company of PartyPoker.com, in 1997. As the principal software architect, he played a crucial role in developing the platform into one of the largest online poker sites globally. PartyGaming’s 2005 IPO on the London Stock Exchange significantly increased Dikshit’s wealth.

12. Steve Wynn

Steve Wynn, a prominent figure in the American casino industry, expanded his ventures into the online gambling space. Recognizing the potential of internet gaming, Wynn explored partnerships to offer online poker and casino games, contributing to his substantial fortune.

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