KEITH T. DENNETT | New South | CONTACT

As social algorithms across the country continue to be flooded with news stories that range from horrendous to heinous to appalling, a Kiwi from Taranaki has emerged as possibly the only bright light in the dark world of 2024.

Tim Myers, a 30-year-old professional gambler who goes by the handle @tim.naki, has shot to fame in recent weeks with a content series that sees him bet 10 cents for every Instagram follower he has on one hand of blackjack a day.

What started out as a sequence of $1500 bets has ballooned into eye watering figures, with Myers this week finally reaching his goal of hitting $1million in profit with a single blackjack hand worth $230,000.00.

Sandwiched between the rolling news coverage of wars, murders, famine, increasing knife crime, the cost of living crisis and the Met Gala, Myers is believed to be the only thing in social feeds that’s bringing a smile instead of a concerned frown to the face of locals, despite the fact his content is based around his wildly reckless gambling.

“He’s just a funny bastard aye!” says Dale Smudge (44), the owner of South Betoota Driving School.

“I tune in everyday to hear his hilarious take on the dealer, it’s like how we used to watch the state premiers deliver the daily cough count when the state was in lockdown.”

It seems watching the daily felt adventures of a former equestrian farrier with an incredibly sharp tongue has captivated the nation to the point even community members who’d usually shame any form of gambling are hooked on Tim’s rod.

“I just can’t watch the 7 o’clock news on the ABC anymore, the daily stories are so just too horrific,” says Sister Teresa from Betoota’s St Mary’s Parish.

“Instead I’m glued to my phone rewatching Tim’s reels to relive the big wins. Do you really think he’ll bow out after the 100th game, I sure hope not!”

More to come.