Bet365: The Next Big Move
Bet365 sports betting company faces potential sale for a multibillion-dollar deal, with interests shown by the Coates family.
Got the gambling itch? Bet365 might be shaking things up.
According to recent buzz, the British Coates family, owners of the online gambling behemoth, are weighing the pros and cons of a full or partial sale of sports betting leader, Bet365. The billionaire family has been holding discussions with US investment banks about potential strategic moves, such as an IPO on a US exchange or a partial sale to private equity investors. Rumor has it, the valuation could reach a whopping 9 billion GBP (around 10.6 billion EUR).
Preparing for a Major Mover
While no definitive decisions have been made yet, the wheels are in motion. Apart from the traditional IPO or partial sale, a potential spin-off of individual business units may also be on the table, where select business areas could dance independently.
Recent strategic moves by CEO Denise Coates, who holds 58% of the shares, may hint at the potential sale. In March 2025, she exited the legally sensitive Chinese market, and handed over control of the family-owned football club, Stoke City FC, to her brother John.
The Rise of Bet365: From Container to Global Giant
From a humble office container in Stoke-on-Trent, Bet365 blossomed into one of the world's largest online betting providers in just two decades under the leadership of Denise Coates. The company is ready for its next move, which potentially could be a billion-dollar sale or IPO.
Some key facts and figures about Bet365:
- Founding: 2000, in Stoke-on-Trent, UK
- Ownership: Denise Coates holds 58% of the shares, with the remaining shares primarily owned by other Coates family members
- Employees: Over 7,000 worldwide
- International Presence: Active in over 20 jurisdictions, boasting a presence in 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 cornerstone of its offering
- Regulatory Issues: In April 2024, the UK Gambling Commission fined Bet365 582,120 GBP for breaches of anti-money laundering provisions
The rumored steps hint at Bet365's preparation for a deal with US investors. The withdrawal from China strongly suggests the company aims to sidestep potential risks that could arise from problematic overseas businesses during an IPO in the US. Additionally, Bet365's recent expansion into regulated markets, such as the USA, Brazil, and Peru, may enhance its appeal to US investors.
A successful IPO would position Bet365 as the largest gambling company listing worldwide, signaling that online gambling has finally entered the mainstream. The move could set a new benchmark for valuation of competitors like Flutter or Entain, whose market values might shift accordingly.
However, an IPO would significantly boost the disclosure requirements of the company—a telling departure from its conservative, low-profile culture.
Uncertain Future, Plenty of Prospects
Despite the intrigue surrounding this potential move, it's uncertain whether a sale will materialize. The Coates family holds the reins and has the luxury of time to find the ideal opportunity. However, the escalating market maturity and intensifying competitive pressure, especially from US titans like DraftKings, suggest that Bet365 may stand on the precipice of a new growth phase under fresh ownership after two decades of rapid expansion.
As industry analyst Alun Bowden put it, "For years, people have been telling me that the only company they'd like to invest in is Bet365." Though there's a general consensus that the company has reached its twilight years, it remains one of the best, if not the best, online sports betting companies globally.
Some even speculate that personal considerations within the Coates family could impact the decision. Denise Coates will soon celebrate her 60th birthday, and the milestone might be the perfect opportunity to pass the torch to new owners following two decades of breakneck growth. As industry expert Paul Leyland notes, Coates may have decided not to allow her company to age gracefully but instead; ready it for the next phase of evolution.
- The prospect of Bet365, a prominent online casino in Germany and worldwide, might soon expand its business with strategic moves such as an IPO in a US exchange, a partial sale to private equity investors, or even a spin-off of individual business units.
- The German-based betting giant has displayed its interest in the US market by recently exiting the sensitive Chinese market and handing over control of the football club Stoke City FC, which hints at a potential sale or IPO.
- If Bet365 proceeds with an IPO, it could become the largest gambling company to list worldwide, setting new benchmarks for valuation for competitors like Flutter or Entain in the casino-and-gambling industry.
- The disclosure requirements that come with an IPO could represent a departure from Bet365's conservative, low-profile culture, but this step could pave the way for further growth and competition in the sports betting business, especially against US giants like DraftKings.
- As the Coates family mulls the decision, personal considerations coupled with the maturity of the market and intensifying pressure might suggest that Bet365 could be on the verge of a new growth phase under fresh ownership after two decades of rapid expansion, ready for the next chapter in the casino-and-gambling business.
