There is no authoritative ranking of the greatest gamblers in history. This editorial selection highlights five people whose reputations are tied to gambling, from a Monte Carlo roulette legend to poker champions; the strength of the historical evidence varies, and fame is not the same as proven winnings.
Charles Wells and the Earl of Sandwich are included with explicit caveats because their familiar stories are less firmly documented than the poker records for Nick Dandolos, Johnny Moss, and Stu Ungar.
Five famous gamblers from history
Charles Wells: the Monte Carlo roulette legend
Charles Wells became famous through the story that he “broke the bank” at Monte Carlo roulette. The available support for this reputation in the research is a commercial casino-history feature, not a primary or scholarly account. Treat it as a story associated with Wells, not as a verified account of a precise win or proof that he had a reliable roulette system.
John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich: a disputed gambling-table legend
John Montagu (1718–1792) was a British statesman and the fourth Earl of Sandwich. A popular tradition says the sandwich was named after him because he wanted food he could eat while gambling. The biographical source consulted provides context on Montagu’s life and political career but does not establish that he invented the sandwich at a gambling table, so the anecdote should be treated as a legend rather than settled fact.
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Nick “The Greek” Dandolos: a figure in poker lore
Nick “The Greek” Dandolos was a high-stakes gambler whose reputation is closely linked to poker lore. According to the World Series of Poker (WSOP), Dandolos came to Binion’s Horseshoe in 1949 seeking a heads-up match with Johnny Moss. The WSOP notes that no official records were kept for the match, so accounts of its duration and results should not be treated as audited facts.
Johnny Moss: an early poker champion
The WSOP records Johnny Moss as a three-time Main Event champion, in 1970, 1971, and 1974. His first title came under a different format from later tournaments: players at the 1970 event voted on the winner, and Moss was declared champion. That distinction matters when comparing his titles with wins decided by subsequent tournament play.
Rank #2
Stu Ungar: a three-time Main Event winner
The WSOP records Stu Ungar’s Main Event victories in 1980, 1981, and 1997, and lists five WSOP bracelets overall. Its history describes him as the second person, after Moss, to win the Main Event three times. Ungar’s tournament success should not be mistaken for proof that gambling is reliably profitable; the WSOP also recounts serious personal struggles in his life.
How the five compare
| Person | Game or activity | Era and setting | Best-documented achievement or story | Historical legacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Wells | Roulette | Monte Carlo; era not specified in the consulted account | Associated in a commercial history feature with the story of “breaking the bank”; no precise amount is established here | A famous roulette legend, with limited supporting evidence in this research |
| John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich | Gambling-table anecdote | 1718–1792; Britain | Documented as a statesman; the gambling-table sandwich story remains unproven by the consulted biography | His name is attached to a popular food-origin tradition |
| Nick “The Greek” Dandolos | High-stakes poker | 1949 match at Binion’s Horseshoe, as described by the WSOP | WSOP account says he sought a heads-up match with Johnny Moss; no official match records were kept | A figure whose reputation is intertwined with poker lore |
| Johnny Moss | Tournament poker | WSOP Main Events beginning in 1970 | Three Main Event titles: 1970 by player vote, then 1971 and 1974 | Early champion in the history of the WSOP |
| Stu Ungar | Tournament poker | WSOP Main Events in 1980, 1981, and 1997 | Three Main Event wins and five WSOP bracelets, according to the WSOP | A celebrated poker talent whose life also involved serious personal struggles |
FAQ
Who are the most famous gamblers in history?
There is no official all-time ranking. This editorial list includes Charles Wells, John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, Nick “The Greek” Dandolos, Johnny Moss, and Stu Ungar, selected for their public recognition and historical or cultural influence.
Rank #3
Who was the greatest gambler ever?
There is no objective way to name one greatest gambler across different games and eras. The available evidence also differs: WSOP records document Moss and Ungar’s tournament results, while some other famous gambling stories are less firmly supported.
Who was Nick the Greek?
Nick “The Greek” Dandolos was a high-stakes gambler associated with poker lore. The WSOP says he sought a heads-up match with Johnny Moss in 1949, but also notes that no official records were kept for it.
Did the Earl of Sandwich invent the sandwich while gambling?
That is a popular tradition, not a fact established by the biographical source consulted for this article. John Montagu was the fourth Earl of Sandwich and a British statesman, but the gambling-table origin story should be presented as a legend.
How many WSOP Main Events did Stu Ungar and Johnny Moss win?
The WSOP records three Main Event titles for each. Ungar won in 1980, 1981, and 1997; Moss won in 1970, 1971, and 1974. Moss’s 1970 title was decided by a vote among players, rather than by the later tournament format.
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