Bet365

Denise and John Coates are the brother-and-sister team behind Bet365, the online betting giant that reshaped the global gambling industry. Born in Stoke-on-Trent, they grew up in a family with deep roots in the bookmaker trade, helping to manage their father Peter Coates’s small chain of betting shops. After graduating in econometrics from the University of Sheffield, Denise took over the family’s betting operations and quickly recognised the internet’s potential to transform the business.

In 2000, she purchased the domain bet365.com and, alongside her brother John, launched the online platform from a portable cabin near their father’s car park. Their vision — to create a trusted, user-friendly, technology-driven betting experience — propelled Bet365 to rapid success. Under Denise’s leadership as CEO, the company built its own proprietary software and data systems, setting new standards for live betting and mobile gaming. John, as co-CEO, focused on operations, customer service and regulatory compliance, helping to steer the business through complex global markets.

Today, Bet365 employs more than 7,000 people and serves millions of customers worldwide, while remaining privately owned and headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent. Denise, one of Britain’s highest-paid executives, is recognised for her philanthropy through the Denise Coates Foundation, which supports health, education and social causes. Together, Denise and John Coates exemplify the blend of vision, innovation and determination that has made Bet365 one of the UK’s most successful digital enterprises.