Bet365's sports betting company faces a potential multi-billion dollar acquisition by the Coates family.
Bet365 Mulls Partial or Full Sale, Potentially Valuing Sports Betting Giant at £9 Billion
In a potential major shakeup for the online gambling industry, the British Coates family, operators of betting colossus Bet365, are considering either fully or partially selling the company. Reports from UK media outlets suggest a valuation of around £9 billion could be on the table, with talks primarily focusing on options such as an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on a US exchange or a partial sale to private equity investors.
Discussions about the future direction of Bet365 have already taken place with US investment banks and financial advisors, with a valuation of around £9 billion being discussed. Although no definitive decision has been made, the process appears to be near completion. Potential alternatives include a traditional IPO, partial sale, or even the spin-off of specific business units as independent entities.
Industry insiders point to both strategic and personal reasons behind the potential sale, with CEO Denise Coates playing a crucial role. The 57-year-old, who controls around 58% of the shares and could potentially receive approximately £5 billion should a sale occur, has taken various strategic steps recently. Notably, she withdrew Bet365 from the controversial Chinese market in March 2025 and relinquished control of her family-owned football club, Stoke City FC, to her brother John.
Tracing its origins to a shipping container office in the English town of Stoke-on-Trent in 2000, Bet365 grew to become one of the world's biggest online betting providers in just two decades. Led by Denise Coates, who is now among the UK's wealthiest entrepreneurs, the company could be on the brink of its next significant move: a sale or IPO that could redefine its future.
Key facts and figures:
- Establishment: Founded by Denise Coates in Stoke-on-Trent, UK in 2000
- Ownership: Denise Coates holds around 58% of the shares, while the remaining shares are primarily held by other Coates family members
- Employees: Over 7,000 globally
- International Presence: Active in over 20 jurisdictions, including Germany, Spain, Argentina, and 13 US states
- Sponsorship: Long-standing sponsor of Stoke City FC and, since 2024, official global partner of the UEFA Champions League
- Technological Strength: Pioneer in live betting (In-Play), now a mainstay of the offering
- Regulatory Issues: In April 2024, the UK Gambling Commission imposed a fine of £582,120 on Bet365 for breaches of anti-money laundering regulations
The withdrawal from China and recent expansion into regulated markets such as the USA, Brazil, and Peru suggest a focus on more sustainable markets that align with potential investor expectations. Financial performance also indicates a strong position, with revenues reaching £3.72 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2024, and a pre-tax profit of £626.6 million, representing a considerable recovery from losses in the previous year.
Should Bet365 proceed with an IPO, it would mark the largest listing for a gambling company globally and potentially signal that online gambling has finally come into the mainstream. Analysts also believe such an IPO could establish a new benchmark for valuing competitors like Flutter or Entain, as a successful Bet365 IPO would demonstrate the potential value of large, profitable online betting companies. However, an IPO would also necessitate increased disclosure requirements, a sharp departure from Bet365's previously reserved culture.
While any decision remains uncertain, the rapidly evolving industry and growing competitive pressures from US giants like DraftKings suggest Bet365 could enter its next growth phase under new leadership. Some industry analysts speculate that personal considerations within the Coates family may also play a role, potentially leading to the passing of the company to new hands after two decades of high growth under the guidance of Denise Coates.
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/may/05/bet365-considers-sale-us-offer-denise-coates[2] https://www.reuters.com/business/bet365-explores-partial-or-full-sale-sources-2025-05-05/[4] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-22/bet365-mulls-partial-or-full-sale-as-london-stake-is-valued-at-p-9-billion
What could be the motivation behind Bet365's potential sale in the sports industry?In light of the dissolution or partial sale of Bet365, could sports betting giants like Flutter or Entain reevaluate their valuations based on a successful Bet365 IPO?
