The Coates clan is investigating a potential billionaire-caliber deal involving sports betting corporation Bet365.
Rumors Swirl Around Potential Sale or IPO of Sport Betting Giant Bet365
- Billion-Dollar Deal on the Table
- US Exit and Global Expansion
- Coates Family Mulls Over Options
Billion-Dollar Valuation under Discussion
Reports have been circulating that the wealthy Coates family, the brains behind online gambling titan Bet365, is pondering a full or partial sale of the company. Rumors of a valuation near £9 billion (~$12 billion USD) have been making the rounds, fueling speculation about a possible IPO on a U.S. exchange or a partial sale to private equity firms.
In already-held discussions with U.S. investment banks and financial advisors, both these strategic options, as well as the possibility of a spin-off, have been tossed around [1][2][3].
With no concrete decision in sight, the process is said to be at an advanced stage, and a final call has yet to be made.
Strategic Moves and Personal Motives
According to market experts, several strategic moves by CEO Denise Coates and personal reasons could be driving this potential sale. The 57-year-old, who owns 58% of the shares, stands to rake in around £5 billion (~$6.6 billion USD) should a sale go through [4][5].
Recent strategic steps taken by Coates include pulling Bet365 out of China and passing control of the family-owned football club Stoke City FC to her brother John.
The Rise and Possible Fall of Bet365
From a simple office container in the English town of Stoke-on-Trent, Bet365 expanded in just two decades to one of the world's largest online betting providers. Helmed by Denise Coates, who is now one of the UK's richest entrepreneurs, the company could be on the cusp of its next huge step: a billion-dollar deal or IPO.
- Key figures and facts at a glance:
- Founding: 2000 by Denise Coates in Stoke-on-Trent, UK
- Ownership: Denise Coates holds 58% of the shares, with the rest primarily owned by other Coates family members
- Employees: Over 7,000 worldwide
- International Presence: Active in over 20 jurisdictions, including Germany, Spain, Argentina, and 13 U.S. states
- Sponsoring: Long-time backer of Stoke City FC and official global partner of the UEFA Champions League
- Technological Strength: Pioneer in live betting, now a core aspect of the offering
- Regulatory Issues: Fined £582,120 (≈ $766,000 USD) in April 2024 by the UK Gambling Commission for breaches of anti-money laundering regulations [4]
These current moves could be an indication of Bet365 preparing for a U.S. investor deal, particularly with the withdrawal from the contentious Chinese market, which may help avoid potential troubles that could arise from questionable overseas businesses during an IPO.
Moreover, Bet365 has recently expanded into regulated markets, such as the U.S., Brazil, and Peru. The company is currently active in 13 U.S. states and has formed new partnerships, including one with the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team in Missouri.
Financially Sound and Ready for Takeoff?
Financially, Bet365 is in a strong position: reporting a 9% revenue increase to £3.72 billion (≈ $4.96 billion USD) for the year ending March 2024, with a pre-tax profit of £626.6 million (≈ $835 million USD), a far cry from the loss reported in the previous year [1][4].
An IPO in the U.S. would catapult Bet365 to the top position as the largest listing of a gambling company worldwide, signaling that online gambling has finally entered the mainstream. Considering the success of a Bet365 IPO, the market value of competitors like Flutter or Entain might be influenced [1][3].
However, such an IPO would significantly increase reporting requirements for the company, a stark departure from its previous low-key culture.
Uncertain Future for Bet365
While the prospects of a sale or IPO are intriguing, it remains unclear whether a deal will ultimately take place. The Coates family, as its sole owner, is under no pressure to act immediately and can take its time to find the optimal moment to strike.
However, the growing maturity of the market and rising competition, particularly from U.S. giants like DraftKings, suggest that Bet365 could be on the brink of a new phase of growth, possibly under new management.
industry analyst Paul Leyland theorizes that Denise Coates may choose to hand over the reins to new hands after two decades of rapid expansion, ensuring the company is ready for its next phase of development.
Industry Analyst Alun Bowden of The Guardian believes that, despite stories of Bet365 being a fading star, it still ranks among the best online sports betting companies globally [3].
References:
- Wyles, S. (2025, May 05). Bet365 may sell part of the business or go public, with a valuation of around £9 billion [English]. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/may/05/bet365-bet-365-considers-selling-part-of-the-business-or-going-public
- Smith, J. (2025, August 08). Coates Family Mulls Over Options for Sports Betting Provider Bet365 [English]. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/coates-family-considers-sale-of-sports-betting-provider-bet365-11663188463
- Brown, A. (2025, May 08). Bet365: Is a Multi-Billion Dollar Sale or IPO on the Horizon? [English]. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexbrown/2025/05/08/bet365-is-a-multi-billion-dollar-sale-or-ipo-on-the-horizon/?sh=1bb63cebd6bd
- Johnson, T. (2024, April 27). Bet365 Fined £582,120 for AML Breaches [English]. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61058090
- Oliver, M. (2025, August 12). Bet365's Departure from China and Expansion into U.S. Stakes Could Make It More Attractive to U.S. Investors [English]. Yahoo Finance. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bet365s-departure-china-expansion-us-203023229.html
- Bet365, a billion-dollar online casino from Germany, might be considering a betting feat with a potential IPO in the US, following the rumors of a billion-dollar sale or IPO of sports betting giant Bet365.
- If the IPO were to occur, Bet365 could become the largest listing of a gambling company globally, marking the entrance of online gambling into the mainstream. Despite this, an IPO would significantly increase reporting requirements for Bet365, posing a stark contrast to its previous low-key culture.
- Particularly, the expansion into regulated markets such as the US, where Bet365 is now active in 13 states, might have set the stage for a potential IPO. Nonetheless, the Coates family, which owns the company, is yet to make a final decision, and the process is said to be at an advanced stage.
