John Coates

Born in January 1970, John Coates is an English billionaire businessman renowned for his significant contributions to the online gambling industry. He holds the position of co-chief executive officer of Bet365 Group Ltd, one of the world's largest online gambling companies by revenue, a role he shares with his sister, Denise Coates.

Coates' journey into the business world began after he studied law at the University of Bristol and initially pursued a career as a solicitor. In 2000, he joined his sister, Denise, in co-founding Bet365. The venture, which started in a portable building in a car park in Stoke-on-Trent, was financed by a £2 million loan against their family home and proceeds from the sale of their father's 33 betting shops.

Under the leadership of the Coates siblings, Bet365 has experienced rapid global expansion, growing to employ over 8,600 people and serving more than 53 million customers across 200 countries as of March 2024. The privately held company processes annual bets exceeding £65 billion and reported revenues of £3.72 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2024. John Coates owns approximately 25% of Bet365 Group Ltd., contributing to his estimated personal net worth of approximately $4.2 billion (£3.23 billion) as of October 2024.

Beyond his role at Bet365, Coates is also deeply involved in sports ownership. He served as vice-chairman of Stoke City F.C. since July 2015 and became the outright owner of the club in August 2024, following a demerger from Bet365. The Coates family is also known for its philanthropic efforts through the Denise Coates Foundation (originally the Bet365 Foundation), which John co-established in 2012. The foundation has received substantial donations, including £100 million in 2021, to support education, health, and community initiatives.