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 His name became more widely known in 2017 when he shared firsthand footage from the Las Vegas concert shooting. Bilzerian was in the crowd at the event, filmed the chaos, and posted it to his Instagram stories.

Poker for Profit

Bilzerian began playing poker while attending the University of Florida, after leaving the Navy. He has played against Hollywood celebrities, including Tobey Maguire, Nick Cassavetes, and Mark Wahlberg, and even had a minor role in the 2013 film Lone Survivor alongside Wahlberg.

Though he once said he made $50 million in a single year from poker, this like some of his other claims remains unverified. Regardless, he used his reputation as a high-stakes player to bolster his online image.

The Setup: Dan Bilzerian Autobiography

In June 2021, Bilzerian published The Setup, an autobiography detailing his unorthodox childhood and rise to fame. In the book, he describes his desire to be among the richest and most famous people in the world, developing a strategy he called “the Setup” to achieve his hedonistic dreams.

However, during his Uncensored interview, Bilzerian admitted that his relentless pursuit of pleasure ultimately left him feeling empty. After nearly a year away from social media, he reflected on his past, revealing that his extreme lifestyle led to addiction cycles, seeking ever-greater thrills to sustain his highs.

Bilzerian has also spoken about his declining health due to excessive partying, drinking, and drug use, revealing that he suffered two heart attacks before the age of 32.

Financial Struggles and Business Ventures

Bilzerian still runs Ignite International Brands Ltd., which sells electronic cigarettes, CBD oils, water bottles, and vodka.

The company, headquartered in Toronto, Canada, became publicly traded in January 2019 under the ticker BILZF. However, financial reports indicate Ignite lost over $50 million in 2019, primarily due to excessive marketing and office rental expenses.

U.S. prosecutors have also accused Paul Bilzerian of retaining de facto control over Ignite, improperly funneling money into the company while owing over $180 million to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Selling His Lavish Lifestyle

Despite projecting immense wealth online, cracks in Bilzerian’s empire surfaced when Ignite filed for bankruptcy, revealing massive expenses and potential familial financial support. He has since pivoted to business and even dabbled in relationship advice.

One significant sign of his changing priorities was the sale of his Las Vegas mansion.