Tony Bloom biography
Anthony Grant Bloom was born on March 20, 1970, in Brighton, England, and earned a BSc in mathematics from the University of Manchester before beginning his career as an accountant at Ernst & Young and briefly working as an options trader.
He transitioned into professional gambling, becoming known within poker circles by the nickname "The Lizard," and built a live tournament résumé exceeding $3.8 million as of October 2022, including a 2004 Australasian Poker Championship title, a runner-up finish at Poker Million IX in 2010, and a Poker Masters Event #8 title in September 2022; he also appeared on the "Late Night Poker" television series during poker's British boom era.
Away from the felt, Bloom built vastly greater wealth as the head of Starlizard, a private betting syndicate based in Camden, London, that has been described as continuously successful year after year, and he further expanded his data-driven business interests by founding Jamestown Analytics in 2017 to provide sports organizations with analytics services.
Since 2009, Bloom has served as chairman and majority owner of Brighton & Hove Albion, investing £93 million in the club's Falmer Stadium and guiding the team to Premier League promotion in 2017 after a 34-year absence, before overseeing their highest-ever Premier League finish, 6th place, in the 2022-23 season, which qualified them for the UEFA Europa League.
He has since expanded his football holdings further, taking a majority stake in Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (later adjusted for UEFA compliance) and minority investments in Heart of Midlothian and Melbourne Victory. Bloom received an MBE in 2024 for his contributions to sport and business.
Career summary
Known as "The Lizard," Bloom built a mathematics-driven career spanning professional poker, the hugely successful Starlizard betting syndicate, and ownership of Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.
Tony Bloom poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Poker Masters Event #8 | 1st | Cash |
| 2004 | Australasian Poker Championship | 1st | Cash |
| 2010 | Poker Million IX | 2nd | Cash |
Verified live tournament earnings: $3,800,000+.
Tony Bloom playing style
Bloom applies a mathematically rigorous, data-driven approach to poker, an extension of the analytical skill set that has made his Starlizard betting syndicate one of the most successful in the gambling industry.
Cash games
Longtime professional gambler with a background in options trading prior to founding his betting syndicate.
Business & sponsorships
Heads Starlizard, a private betting syndicate based in Camden, London; founded Jamestown Analytics in 2017; chairman and majority owner of Brighton & Hove Albion since 2009; holds stakes in Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Heart of Midlothian, and Melbourne Victory.
Tony Bloom Net Worth
As of November 2026, Tony Bloom net worth is estimated in the billions (primarily from betting syndicate and business interests).
Verified live tournament earnings account for $3.8M of prize money. Sponsorships, business ventures and cash games, covered above, make up the rest of the picture. Tournament prize money is not the same as profit: buy-ins, staking deals and taxes are not deducted, so all net worth figures are estimates based on public reporting.
Why Tony matters
Born in Brighton, England, and known in gambling circles as "The Lizard," Bloom built a mathematics-driven career spanning professional poker, a hugely successful betting syndicate, and ownership of Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.
FAQ about Tony Bloom
Why is Tony Bloom nicknamed "The Lizard"?
The nickname is associated with his reputation as a shrewd, calculating professional gambler and poker player.
What football club does Tony Bloom own?
He has served as chairman and majority owner of Brighton & Hove Albion since 2009.
How much has Tony Bloom won playing poker?
Tony Bloom has won $3,800,000+ in live tournament earnings.
How many WSOP bracelets does Tony Bloom have?
Tony Bloom has not won a WSOP bracelet yet.