He once commanded respect both at the Supreme Court and at the poker table, but a dramatic turn of fortune has pushed Tom Goldstein from the spotlight to the sidelines.
A seasoned white‑collar attorney and former Supreme Court litigator, Goldstein might seem like the type of analytical mind built for poker success. But his real‑life results tell a far more turbulent story. In January, he was indicted on charges of tax evasion and accused of using funds from his own law firm to fuel an escalating gambling habit.
Goldstein Opens Up About His Gambling Spiral
In a candid interview with The New York Times Magazine, Goldstein detailed the extent of his losses, estimating that he burned through $10 million to $15 million and accumulated significant gambling‑related debt.
His story, however, isn’t one of unbroken decline. Goldstein claims he once won $26 million from businessman Alec Gores and later found himself drawn into private high‑stakes blackjack games. At one point, he reportedly blew through $9 million, only to be extended credit by an unnamed billionaire. In another streak, he says he amassed $50 million in gambling winnings.
Much of his bankroll came from “investors”—backers who stake skilled players in exchange for a share of the profits, a common arrangement in high‑stakes poker circles.
Legal Troubles Put Poker on Hold
Goldstein’s luck ran out when federal prosecutor Stanley Okula began investigating his finances, uncovering alleged tax evasion and the misuse of law‑firm funds to support his gambling.
He was subsequently indicted in Maryland federal court and is currently out on bail under conditions that prohibit him from playing poker. Still, Goldstein says he hopes to return to the felt once his legal battle concludes.
