History of Bet365 in Timeline

Bet365 is a British gambling company established in 2000 by Denise Coates, who serves as joint-CEO and majority shareholder alongside her brother John Coates. Headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent with satellite offices in Manchester and Malta, Bet365 offers a range of online gambling products, including sports betting, online casino games, online poker, and online bingo.

1974: Peter Coates Started Betting Shop Estate

In 1974, Peter Coates started the family's betting shop estate, which would later be run by Denise Coates.

1995: Denise Coates Became Managing Director

In 1995, Denise Coates became the managing director of the family's betting shop estate.

2000: Bet365 Founded

In 2000, Denise Coates founded bet365 in a portable building in Stoke-On-Trent.

March 2001: Bet365 Launched Online

In March 2001, Denise Coates launched bet365 online, using a sports betting platform and trading team she developed.

2005: Bet365 Sold Betting Shops and Paid off Loan

In 2005, bet365 sold its betting shop chain to Coral for £40 million and used the funds to pay off its loan to the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

2010: Bet365 Wins Operator of the Year

At the eGaming Review Operator Awards 2010, bet365 won the "Operator of the Year" award. They also ranked third in The Sunday Times Profit Track 100 league table.

2010: Ray Winstone Became Face of Bet365

Since 2010, actor Ray Winstone has been the face of bet365 in the UK. The company sponsors the shirt and stadium of EFL Championship football club Stoke City F.C.

2010: Bet365 Ranked Number One Internet Gaming Company

eGaming Review magazine ranked bet365 the number one Internet gaming company in 2010 as part of its annual Power 50 list.

2011: Bet365 Ranked Number One Internet Gaming Company

eGaming Review magazine ranked bet365 the number one Internet gaming company in 2011 as part of its annual Power 50 list.

May 2012: Bet365 Signed Sponsorship Deal with Stoke City

In May 2012, bet365, whose chairman Peter Coates was also chairman at Stoke City, signed a three-year contract with Stoke City to become their shirt sponsors.

2012: Denise Coates Received CBE

In 2012, Denise Coates, founder and joint CEO of bet365, received a CBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list for services to the community and business. eGaming Review magazine also ranked bet365 the number one Internet gaming company in 2012 as part of its annual Power 50 list.

February 2013: Denise Coates Named One of UK's Most Powerful Women

In February 2013, Denise Coates was named as one of the 100 most powerful women in the United Kingdom by Woman's Hour at BBC Radio 4.

October 2014: Report of Bet365 Taking Bets from Chinese Citizens

In October 2014, The Guardian reported that bet365 was taking bets from Chinese citizens by using obscure domain names to avoid government web censorship.

April 2016: Bet365 Became Stadium Title Sponsor for Stoke City

In April 2016, bet365 became the new title sponsors for Stoke City's stadium for the next six seasons, replacing the Britannia Building Society.

2016: Bet365 Froze Punter's Account in Australia

In 2016, bet365 froze the account of a punter in Australia who had won around A$200,000, refusing to pay out.

2016: Bet365 Fined in Australia

In 2016, bet365 was fined A$2.75 million by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission for misleading advertisements which falsely promised "free bets" to customers.

2017: Denise Coates Became Highest Paid Executive in the UK

In 2017, Denise Coates became the highest-paid executive in the UK, awarding herself a salary of £217 million.

2017: Bet365 Refused Payout to Horse Bettor

In 2017, bet365 was taken to court for refusing to pay over £1 million in winnings to a horse bettor in Northern Ireland. The company refused a payout of £54,000 to a customer in England in 2016, a case which was still ongoing in 2017.

2018: Denise Coates' Pay Increased

In 2018, Denise Coates' pay packet rose to £265 million as the company reported profits up 31% to £660 million, prompting criticism.

2018: Bet365 Announced US Launch Plans

In 2018, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on sports betting, bet365 announced plans to launch in the United States, starting with New Jersey through a partnership with Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.

January 2019: Bet365 Ranked Among Top UK Taxpayers

In January 2019, bet365 ranked second on The Sunday Times list of the UK's top taxpayers, with the Coates family paying an estimated total tax of £156 million.

2019: Agreement to Combat Gambling Addiction

In 2019, bet365 agreed with other UK bookmakers and online casino operators to increase funds to combat gambling addiction from 0.1% to 1% of gross income over five years.

March 2020: Bet365 Reported Revenues and Profits

Bet365's reported figures for March 2020 to 2021 showed revenues of £2.8 billion and a profit of £470 million before tax.

2020: Bet365 Employee Count

As of 2020, bet365 employed over 4,000 people across its headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent and other offices in Manchester, Gibraltar, Malta, United States, Bulgaria, Armenia and Australia.

September 2021: Bet365 Announced Launch in Colorado

In September 2021, bet365 announced that it would launch in Colorado through a licensing and revenue share deal with Century Casinos.

April 2022: Bet365 Launched in Ontario

In April 2022, bet365 launched in Ontario after being approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, following the legalization of single-game betting in Canada.

September 2022: Bet365 Opened Operations in Colorado

On September 6, 2022, bet365 commenced operations in Colorado.

2022: Ordered External Audit

In 2022, an external audit was ordered, leading to Austrac's investigation of bet365 in March 2024 for potential non-compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws.

March 2024: Austrac Investigates Bet365

In March 2024, Australia's financial crime agency, Austrac, initiated an investigation into bet365 for potential non-compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws.

August 2024: Bet365 Ordered to Pay Customers Shorted on Payments

In August 2024, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement ordered that bet365 was required to pay more than $519,000 to customers it had shorted on payments.

December 2024: Bet365 Won SBC Bookmaker of the Year

In December 2024, bet365 won the SBC Bookmaker of the Year for the fifth consecutive year.

2024: Criticism for Denise Coates' Payouts

In 2024, Denise Coates was criticized after receiving payouts of more than £270 million the year before, including a salary of £220.7 million and dividends of £50 million, despite the company posting a £60 million loss.