Denise Coates Earns £280m Amid Bet365's Profit Decline
In This Article
HIGHLIGHTS
- Denise Coates, CEO of Bet365, received a pay package of at least £280m in 2025, despite a decline in company profits.
- Bet365's revenue increased to £4bn, but pre-tax profits fell to £339m due to increased expenses and market restructuring.
- Coates's earnings include a £104m salary and a significant share of a £354m dividend, making her one of the UK's highest taxpayers.
- The company donated £130m to the Denise Coates Foundation, contributing to tax efficiencies.
- Bet365 exited the Chinese market, incurring £59m in restructuring costs, while expanding in the US and South America.
Denise Coates, the founder and chief executive of Bet365, has once again secured her position as one of Britain's highest-paid executives with a pay package of at least £280 million in 2025. This substantial remuneration comes despite a notable decline in the gambling firm's pre-tax profits, which fell to £339 million from £596 million the previous year.
Financial Performance and Executive Compensation
Bet365, headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent, reported a revenue increase to £4 billion, up from £3.7 billion the previous year. However, the company's pre-tax profits suffered due to a £325 million rise in expenses as it restructured its global operations, including exiting the controversial Chinese market. Despite these challenges, Coates's earnings soared, comprising a £104 million salary and a significant portion of a £354 million dividend, reflecting her majority shareholding in the company.
Tax Contributions and Charitable Efforts
Coates's substantial earnings have drawn criticism from groups like the High Pay Centre, which argues that such high compensation is excessive. However, Coates is also recognized as one of the UK's largest taxpayers, contributing tens of millions in income tax and national insurance. Bet365 itself paid £482 million in taxes, including on dividend payments. Additionally, the company donated £130 million to the Denise Coates Foundation, which supports various charitable causes, enhancing its tax efficiency.
Global Expansion and Market Adjustments
The gambling giant has been reshaping its global footprint, expanding into the US and South American markets while withdrawing from China. This strategic shift led to £59 million in restructuring costs. Despite these changes, Bet365 remains a significant player in the online gambling industry, offering sports betting, poker, casino games, and bingo to millions worldwide.
Community Impact and Future Prospects
Coates, who started Bet365 in a portable building over two decades ago, has built the company into the largest private sector employer in Stoke-on-Trent. Her contributions to the local community and the broader UK economy are significant, though her compensation continues to spark debate.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
Looking ahead, Bet365's strategic expansion into new markets like the US and South America could bolster its financial performance, potentially offsetting the losses from its exit from China. However, the gambling industry faces increasing scrutiny over ethical concerns, which may influence regulatory changes impacting future operations. Denise Coates's substantial tax contributions and charitable donations may continue to mitigate some criticism, but the debate over executive pay in the UK is likely to persist, especially as income inequality remains a pressing issue.
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Denise Coates Earns £280m Amid Bet365's Profit Decline
In This Article
Ethan Brooks| Published HIGHLIGHTS
- Denise Coates, CEO of Bet365, received a pay package of at least £280m in 2025, despite a decline in company profits.
- Bet365's revenue increased to £4bn, but pre-tax profits fell to £339m due to increased expenses and market restructuring.
- Coates's earnings include a £104m salary and a significant share of a £354m dividend, making her one of the UK's highest taxpayers.
- The company donated £130m to the Denise Coates Foundation, contributing to tax efficiencies.
- Bet365 exited the Chinese market, incurring £59m in restructuring costs, while expanding in the US and South America.
Denise Coates, the founder and chief executive of Bet365, has once again secured her position as one of Britain's highest-paid executives with a pay package of at least £280 million in 2025. This substantial remuneration comes despite a notable decline in the gambling firm's pre-tax profits, which fell to £339 million from £596 million the previous year.
Financial Performance and Executive Compensation
Bet365, headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent, reported a revenue increase to £4 billion, up from £3.7 billion the previous year. However, the company's pre-tax profits suffered due to a £325 million rise in expenses as it restructured its global operations, including exiting the controversial Chinese market. Despite these challenges, Coates's earnings soared, comprising a £104 million salary and a significant portion of a £354 million dividend, reflecting her majority shareholding in the company.
Tax Contributions and Charitable Efforts
Coates's substantial earnings have drawn criticism from groups like the High Pay Centre, which argues that such high compensation is excessive. However, Coates is also recognized as one of the UK's largest taxpayers, contributing tens of millions in income tax and national insurance. Bet365 itself paid £482 million in taxes, including on dividend payments. Additionally, the company donated £130 million to the Denise Coates Foundation, which supports various charitable causes, enhancing its tax efficiency.
Global Expansion and Market Adjustments
The gambling giant has been reshaping its global footprint, expanding into the US and South American markets while withdrawing from China. This strategic shift led to £59 million in restructuring costs. Despite these changes, Bet365 remains a significant player in the online gambling industry, offering sports betting, poker, casino games, and bingo to millions worldwide.
Community Impact and Future Prospects
Coates, who started Bet365 in a portable building over two decades ago, has built the company into the largest private sector employer in Stoke-on-Trent. Her contributions to the local community and the broader UK economy are significant, though her compensation continues to spark debate.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
Looking ahead, Bet365's strategic expansion into new markets like the US and South America could bolster its financial performance, potentially offsetting the losses from its exit from China. However, the gambling industry faces increasing scrutiny over ethical concerns, which may influence regulatory changes impacting future operations. Denise Coates's substantial tax contributions and charitable donations may continue to mitigate some criticism, but the debate over executive pay in the UK is likely to persist, especially as income inequality remains a pressing issue.
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Trump's Board of Peace Pledges $7 Billion for Gaza Amidst International Skepticism
UK to Enforce Swift Removal of Non-Consensual Intimate Images by Tech Firms