Date: 24.01.2025

by Bartosz Burzyński

Denise Coates Net Worth in 2025: Breaking Down Her Wealth

Denise Coates, the founder and majority shareholder of Bet365, remains one of the highest-paid business leaders in the world despite a significant reduction in her earnings. In this analysis, we will examine her net worth, income sources, and impact on the global iGaming market. Our focus is solely on Denise Coates’ wealth, excluding the earnings of her family members from other business ventures.

Denise Coates’ net worth and income sources

Despite a 45% pay cut, Denise Coates remains the highest-paid woman in the UK, with a total income of £158.7 million for the financial year ending in March 2024. This sum includes a salary of £94.7 million and £64 million in dividends from her 58% stake in Bet365. Although her earnings have significantly declined from the record £270 million she received the previous year, Coates continues to rank among the highest-paid CEOs globally. Her remuneration not only remains at an impressive level but also serves as a key benchmark for the entire private sector. For comparison, Apple CEO Tim Cook earned $63.2 million in 2023, which is approximately £50 million—meaning that Coates earned more than three times as much as the leader of one of the world’s largest tech companies.

Coates has long been a symbol of significant earnings in the iGaming industry, and her remuneration reflects not only the success of Bet365 but also the overall growth dynamics of the online betting sector. Her income comprises not just a base salary but also substantial dividends stemming from her dominant ownership in the company, making her one of the most influential figures in the industry. Thanks to Bet365’s private ownership structure, Coates has greater control over the compensation system compared to public companies, where executive pay is often subject to shareholder and board approval.

The Coates family’s wealth, primarily derived from Bet365, is estimated at nearly £8 billion, according to the Sunday Times Rich List. However, Denise Coates remains the central figure who directly influences Bet365’s financial performance and, consequently, her personal wealth. Since the company’s foundation in 2000, her consistent leadership, strategic investments, and expansion into new markets have turned Bet365 into one of the most profitable enterprises in the online gambling industry. The steady revenue growth and profitability of the company have a direct impact on her personal earnings, which have consistently ranked among the highest in the UK’s private sector.

In recent years, Coates has expanded Bet365’s presence in international markets, contributing to further revenue growth. Despite increasing competition in the iGaming industry and stricter regulatory requirements in many jurisdictions, Bet365 has successfully maintained its leadership position by offering a wide range of products and services tailored to different markets. The company’s strategy of global expansion and continuous innovation—such as the development of live betting features and enhancements to mobile platforms—has played a crucial role in the steady growth of the company’s value and, in turn, Coates’ personal wealth.

In conclusion, despite the decline in her earnings, Denise Coates remains one of the wealthiest and most influential women in business. Her fortune is inextricably linked to Bet365’s success, and her ability to manage and expand the company in the highly regulated online gambling market underscores her exceptional business acumen.

Bet365’s financial performance

Bet365, a leader in online sports betting and gaming, continues to deliver strong financial results. In the fiscal year ending March 2024, the company recorded a pre-tax profit of £596 million, reflecting a significant increase compared to the previous year. Revenue grew by 9%, reaching £3.7 billion, highlighting the resilience and growth potential of the online gambling sector.

Despite the pay cut, the company remains financially stable, and its performance allows Denise Coates to maintain her position as one of the most influential figures in the industry. Her brother and co-CEO, John Coates, also received a share of the dividend payout, taking home £110 million, underscoring the family’s deep financial ties to the company’s success.

Bold decisions that built an empire

Denise Coates’ success is the result of a bold decision made in 2000 when she mortgaged her father’s chain of betting shops to launch an online business with her brother. This move allowed Bet365 to expand globally and capitalize on the growing trend of digital betting.

Today, Bet365 processes over £65 billion in bets annually, making it one of the dominant players in the global gambling market. The company’s innovative approach to live betting, which allows users to place wagers in real time, has become the foundation of its success and a benchmark for the entire industry.

Coates among the world’s top-paid business leaders

Despite the significant decrease in earnings last year, Denise Coates remains among the top-paid business leaders worldwide. Her annual income of £158.7 million positions her alongside executives such as:

  • Tim Cook (Apple) – $63.2 million (approx. £50 million) in 2023
  • Sundar Pichai (Alphabet/Google) – $226 million (approx. £180 million)
  • Stephen Schwarzman (Blackstone) – $253 million (approx. £200 million)

These comparisons highlight the lucrative nature of the online gambling sector and Coates’ substantial role within it.

Denise Coates’ philanthropy

Beyond her remarkable business success, Denise Coates has established herself as a significant force in philanthropy through the Denise Coates Foundation, previously known as the Bet365 Foundation. Since its inception in 2012, the foundation has committed hundreds of millions of pounds to support a wide range of social causes, solidifying its role as one of the most prominent private charitable organizations in the UK.

The foundation primarily focuses on key areas such as healthcare, education, and humanitarian aid, funding initiatives that address pressing social challenges both within the UK and globally. Among its most notable contributions is the £10 million donation to the University Hospitals of North Midlands, which provided crucial support to frontline medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the foundation has funded numerous medical research projects, including those dedicated to cancer treatment and mental health services, significantly enhancing the resources available to healthcare providers.

In the field of education, the Denise Coates Foundation has provided substantial financial support for scholarships and educational programs aimed at underprivileged students. One of its major beneficiaries, St Joseph’s College in Trent Vale, received £230,000 to assist young people in Sierra Leone, offering them access to better educational opportunities and a brighter future. The foundation has also played a vital role in the enhancement of educational infrastructure by funding the development of modern learning facilities, such as the Denise Coates Foundation Building at Keele University.

We wrote more about the Denise Coates Foundation in this article

A visionary leader redefining the iGaming industry

Denise Coates continues to be one of the most influential figures in the iGaming industry, with a fortune and influence that extend far beyond the UK. Her strategic vision and unwavering determination have turned Bet365 into a global giant in the gambling industry. Despite the decline in her earnings, Coates remains one of the most powerful women in global business.

Regardless of whether her success is seen as the result of family support or individual brilliance, one thing is certain: Denise Coates is a trailblazer who has redefined the online betting industry and set new standards for future entrepreneurs.