<p>The <strong>Coates family</strong>, founders of UK gambling powerhouse Bet365, is reportedly considering a sale that could value the firm at <strong>up to £9 billion</strong>. The <a href=”https://online.worldcasinodirectory.com/sports-betting”>online betting</a> giant—led by <strong>CEO Denise Coates</strong>—has been in conversations with Wall Street banks and American advisers regarding a full or partial divestment of the business. These discussions may lead to a stake sale, a spin-off, or a future public listing in the U.S.</p>
<p><strong>U.S. market emerges as new frontier:</strong></p>
<p>Multiple sources, cited by <a href=”https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/may/01/family-owners-of-bet365-weigh-up-potential-9bn-sale-of-gambling-empire” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>The Guardian</a>, confirmed that <strong>informal talks</strong> have entered the so-called <em>“beauty paradeâ€Â </em>stage, in which banks compete to represent the company and secure the most favorable valuation. One potential scenario involves <strong>selling a stake to private equity</strong> now, while retaining family control until a potential <strong>initial public offering</strong> (IPO) later.</p>
<p>If the business were to sell at the projected valuation, 57-year-old Denise Coates, who owns 58% of the British online gambling company company, could personally earn <strong>more than £5 billion</strong>. Bet365 did not comment on the reported developments.</p>
<p>Originally built from a portable cabin in Stoke-on-Trent, England, Bet365 has grown into one of the world’s largest online sports betting firms, with operations in 13 U.S. states and licenses in over a dozen jurisdictions including Spain, Germany, and Argentina. Last year, the company launched operations in <a href=”https://news.worldcasinodirectory.com/bet365-kicks-off-in-tennessee-and-illinois-amid-march-madness-117618″>Illinois</a> and opened a new U.S. headquarters in Denver, Colorado with hiring plans targeting up to 1,000 employees.</p>
<p>The move aligns with a broader industry pivot toward the American market following the <a href=”https://news.worldcasinodirectory.com/supremes-paspa-unconstitutional-sports-betting-legal-in-u-s-55260″>U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 <strong>repeal of a federal sports betting ban</strong></a>. <strong>Analyst Paul Leyland of Regulus Partners</strong> noted,<em> “A sale in the US was ‘compelling for everybody’,†</em>citing investor interest and the strategic fit.<em> “There’s more money chasing gambling than there are gambling companies that are investable.â€</em></p>
<p><strong>Exiting China and streamlining legacy assets:</strong></p>
<p>In preparation for a potential sale, Bet365 has also taken steps to streamline its global operations. In March, the company announced it would <strong>cease services in China</strong>, citing a need to refocus on <em>“core marketsâ€</em> and <strong>sustainable revenue streams</strong>. The exit from China—which remains a controversial market due to <a href=”https://news.worldcasinodirectory.com/chinas-supreme-court-cracks-down-on-cross-border-gambling-syndicates-116907″>its ban on gambling</a>—has been interpreted by analysts as an effort to improve appeal to American investors.</p>
<p>Additionally, the firm transferred ownership of <strong>Stoke City Football Club</strong> to John Coates last August. Paul Leyland said, <em>“It would be very difficult to have China exposure given the level of scrutiny that might be applied in the US, and why would you have a football club attached, that’s a family legacy.â€</em></p>
<p>According to <strong>industry analyst Alun Bowden from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming</strong> (EKG), Bet365 may be trying to capitalize on favorable timing. <em>“Now feels a very good time to explore exit opportunities, and the timing feels right with Denise turning 60 in two years’ time,â€Â </em>he said. EKG values Bet365 at <strong>up to $12 billion</strong>, based on a pre-tax profit of £627 million on £3.7 billion in revenue in its most recent fiscal year.</p>
<p><strong>Racing and sports ties could face uncertainty:</strong></p>
<p>Any potential change in ownership could <strong>raise concerns</strong> among <strong>British racing stakeholders.</strong> Bet365 is a significant backer of UK and Irish racing, sponsoring major events such as the Bet365 Gold Cup, the Cambridgeshire, and the Fillies’ Mile. The brand has also invested in <a href=”http://www.worldcasinodirectory.com/greyhounds.htm”>greyhound racing</a> and hosts a packed annual sponsorship calendar.</p>
<p><strong>Analyst Ivor Jones of Peel Hunt</strong> reflected on the potential investor interest, saying, <em>“If this remarkable business is looking for new investors I would expect the queues to stretch halfway round Stoke.â€</em></p>
<p>Despite speculation, Bet365 had previously stated during its application for a <a href=”https://news.worldcasinodirectory.com/new-york-extends-downstate-casino-bid-deadline-to-june-2025-114045″>New York license</a> that it had<em> “no plans to sell the company, merge the company, or to take the company public.â€Â </em>However, subsequent strategic shifts—including the China exit and internal asset transfers—suggest the situation has evolved.</p>
The Coates Family Considers Selling Bet365 for £9B as Part of Worldwide Strategic Transition
