Bet365’s Denise Coates Climbs Sunday Times Rich List

The UK’s gambling royalty has climbed higher on the latest Sunday Times Rich List.

Denise Coates, founder of Bet365, along with her family, has been ranked 16th on the 2025 edition of the prestigious list, boasting an estimated £9.45 billion in net wealth. This significant rise coincides with growing reports suggesting that the iconic online sportsbook and casino operator may soon be up for sale.

As other gaming entrepreneurs follow closely behind, the spotlight intensifies not just on Coates’ personal fortune, but on Bet365’s future amid industry consolidation and investor interest from Wall Street.

Here’s how the Coates family reshaped the gambling landscape — and what a potential sale of Bet365 could mean for the global iGaming market.

Denise Coates and Bet365 Family Surge Up Rich List Amid Growing Sale Speculation

3 Key Points

• Denise Coates and family climbed to 16th place on the UK Rich List with £9.45 billion.
• Other gambling moguls — from Betfred to PokerStars — also rose in wealth rankings.
• Rumors intensify that Bet365 could be sold, floated, or partially divested for £9 billion.

Bet365’s Coates Family Reaches New Wealth Milestone

According to the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List, Denise Coates and her family, founders of Bet365, have reached £9.45 billion in wealth, up significantly year-on-year.

This net worth increase pushed the family up four places, from 20th in 2024 to 16th in 2025. Notably, they had also ranked 16th in 2022 and 2023, suggesting a return to peak valuation amid industry growth and Bet365’s sustained dominance in the global online gambling sector.

Only Anthony Bamford, founder of JCB, narrowly outpaced them in 15th place, while Carrie and François Perrodo, oil magnates, trailed behind.

Gambling Tycoons Dominate 2025’s Rankings

The Rich List continues to highlight the immense wealth created through iGaming and betting ventures. Other notable names from the industry include:

• Mark Scheinberg (PokerStars): £5.08B – rose to 38th
• Fred and Peter Done (Betfred): £2.92B – up to 57th from 76th
• Ian and Richard Livingstone (Evolution): £5.73B – down slightly to 34th
• Michael Tabor (BetVictor): £800M – placed 199th
• Ruth Parasol (PartyGaming): £780M – placed 203rd
• Tony Bloom (StarLizard): £721M – ranked 213th
• Will Roseff (Bet365 co-founder): £579M – placed 254th

These individuals reflect the continued financial strength of the UK gambling elite, despite increasing scrutiny and regulation.

Is Bet365 Up for Sale? Market Speculation Builds

Perhaps the most intriguing storyline surrounding Denise Coates’ fortune is the rumor of Bet365 being up for sale.

On 1 May 2025, The Guardian reported that the Coates family had begun internal discussions with U.S. advisors and Wall Street investment banks, exploring potential options such as:

• A full company sale
• Partial stake divestment to private equity
• A U.S. stock market listing (IPO)

Sources suggest Bet365 could command a £9 billion valuation, though industry insiders argue this figure is conservative given the brand’s global footprint, strong EBITDA margins, and loyal customer base.

An IPO could mirror moves by rivals like DraftKings and Flutter, positioning Bet365 as a formidable public competitor in the U.S. and beyond.

From £15 Million Loan to Billionaire Empire

Denise Coates founded Bet365 in 2001, boldly borrowing £15 million against her family’s high street betting shop chain.

She transformed the business into one of the world’s largest online gambling operators, generating billions in annual revenues, employing over 7,000 people, and remaining one of the few privately held giants in the industry.

Her leadership, particularly her attention to product development and risk management, has drawn both praise and criticism—especially as she remains the highest-paid executive in Britain year after year.

Denise Coates’ meteoric rise on the Sunday Times Rich List is more than a celebration of personal fortune. It underscores the remarkable success story of Bet365, a brand that went from local betting shops to global dominance in just over two decades.

Yet, with news of a potential sale, IPO, or private equity deal swirling, 2025 may mark the beginning of a new chapter—one where the Coates family may choose to monetise their empire, partially or in full, amid an increasingly competitive iGaming landscape.

Whatever direction they take, Bet365’s influence on the gambling industry is undeniable—and its future could reshape the power balance in global sports betting.

✅ Want expert insight on Bet365’s market valuation, competitor positioning, or exit strategies in gambling M&A? Let’s dive into the numbers.

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