Family of Coates examining potential billion-dollar sale of sports wagering corporation, Bet365.
Breaking: Coates Family Mulls Over Selling or Going Public with Bet365 for a Staggering £9 Billion
Sports Betting Juggernaut Bet365 in the Crosshairs
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty: the Coates family, who own the behemoth that is Bet365, might just be selling their stake for a ludicrous £9 billion! That's around a cool €10.6 billion or around $12 billion USD!
Reports are pouring in from multiple sources like The Guardian, claiming that consultations with US investment banks and advisors have already commenced. The possibilities? An IPO on a US exchange, a partial sale to private equity investors, or even spinning off certain business units!
Now, you might wonder why they're even considering this ridiculous move. Well, sources close to the situation suggest it's a mix of strategic and personal motives by the CEO Denise Coates. She's the one with 58% of the shares, and with a sale, she could rake in over £5 billion (around €5.9 billion)!
Recent Moves by the Queen of Betting
Denise Coates has been making some strategic moves lately. In March 2025, she pulled Bet365 out of the sticky waters of China, and in May, she handed over control of her family-owned football club, Stoke City FC, to her brother John. Hmmm, seems like she's leaving no stone unturned!
Remember, Bet365 started as a tiny operation in a Portakabin office in Stoke-on-Trent, and in just two decades, it skyrocketed to become one of the largest online betting providers worldwide. And with a possible billion-dollar sale or IPO, she might be taking it to the next level!
From humble beginnings to online betting titan
Key figures and facts:
- Founded: 2000 by Denise Coates in Stoke-on-Trent, UK
- Ownership: Denise Coates holds 58% of the shares, with the rest held mainly by other Coates family members
- Employees: Over 7,000 worldwide
- International Presence: Active in over 20 jurisdictions, including Germany, Spain, Argentina, and 13 US states
- Sponsorship: Long-term sponsor of Stoke City FC and official global partner of the UEFA Champions League since 2024
- Technological Prowess: Pioneered live betting, now a staple of their offerings
- Regulatory Hiccups: In April 2024, the UK Gambling Commission imposed a fine of £582,120 for breaches of anti-money laundering rules
Preparing to Woo Wall Street
The steps Denise Coates has taken seem to suggest that she's aiming to woo US investors. By leaving China and strengthening its presence in regulated markets like the US, Bet365 is moving to sidestep potential risks that could arise during an IPO in the US.
Yep, you heard it right! A US IPO would make Bet365 the largest listing of a gambling company worldwide and set a new benchmark for valuing competitors like Flutter or Entain! But hey, that also means a whole lot more disclosure requirements, which isn't their usual style!
Does the sale happen?
The Coates family, as the sole owners, isn't under pressure to sell, giving them the luxury to choose the best possible time. But with increased market maturity and fierce competition, especially from US giants like DraftKings, it seems like Bet365 might be ready for a new chapter under new leadership after two decades of rapid growth!
As Alun Bowden, an analyst at EKG, said, "I've always thought Bet365 is the one company I'd love to invest in." Though there's a general perception that Bet365's star might be fading, it remains one of the best online sports betting companies in the world!
Got some intel on Bet365? Share it with us!
Sources:[1] Bloomberg - Coates Family Explores Potential Bet365 Sale, by Scott Morris and Sophie Alexander, 05.05.2025[2] Financial Times - Bet365 explores sale to private equity, IPO or partial spin-off, by James Fontanella-Khan, 05.05.2025[3] Sky Sports - Bet365: Coates family consider full or partial sale, by Rob Harris, 05.05.2025[4] Reuters - Bet365 in talks with investment banks on strategic options, by Pamela Barbaglia, 05.05.2025[5] The Guardian - Coates family considers full or partial sale of sports betting giant Bet365, by Angela Burke, 05.05.2025.
The potential sale or IPO of Bet365 could open up opportunities for investors in the finance sector, as the proceedings might involve US investment banks and advisors. With Denise Coates' strategic moves such as exiting China and focusing on regulated markets like the US, Bet365 could attract interest from online casinos, especially in Germany, as it aims to strengthen its international presence.
