Who will get their hands on Bet365?

Founded in 2000 by Denise Coates, Bet365 has become one of the largest online betting companies in the world, with an annual turnover of £3.7 billion. Now the Coates family is considering selling all or part of the business, a move that could redefine the online gambling landscape. Bet365 is estimated to be worth around £9 billion.

Future prospects: partial sale, IPO or full acquisition?

There are several possible scenarios for the future of Bet365:

• Partial sale: The Coates family could sell part of the company to an investment fund while retaining a minority stake.
• Initial public offering (IPO): An IPO, particularly on the US market, would enable Bet365 to raise funds while remaining independent.
• Full acquisition: A major player in the sector could acquire the entire company to strengthen its position in the global market.

Who are the potential buyers of Bet365?

The prospect of a partial or total sale of Bet365 is attracting the interest of several global financial and online gaming giants. Here are the players most likely to enter the race:

Private equity funds: powerful, discreet and strategic

1. Blackstone Group

Blackstone is one of the world’s largest alternative asset managers. Already very active in the entertainment industry, the fund could see Bet365 as an opportunity to consolidate its presence in the online gaming sector, while taking advantage of a highly profitable business model and first-rate proprietary technology. Their ability to structure large deals gives them a clear advantage.

2. Apollo Global Management

Apollo is no novice in the world of games. The fund previously invested in Gala Coral (since merged with Ladbrokes). They are known for targeting companies that are undervalued or have strong potential for restructuring or expansion. Bet365, as a profitable but still family-owned group, could fit perfectly into their growth strategy.

3. CVC Capital Partners

CVC is no stranger to the sector, having invested in Tipico and William Hill in the past. It has solid experience in managing and optimising gambling businesses in Europe. For CVC, Bet365 would represent a significant return to the top of the world rankings of betting operators.

US gambling operators: international growth in focus

4. DraftKings

The American online sports betting giant is very aggressive in its global expansion. Bet365 would offer them a proven infrastructure, very high-level in-house technology and a massive user base in several European and Asian markets. The acquisition would enable DraftKings to overtake its rivals in the global race to dominate online gambling.

5. Caesars Entertainment

Already active in sports betting and online casinos via Caesars Digital, the group could integrate Bet365 to broaden its portfolio and improve its technology. Caesars has demonstrated its appetite for mergers with the acquisition of El Dorado Resorts and a declared desire to strengthen its international presence.

Other possible candidates: speculation and surprises

Although unconfirmed, other names are circulating in financial circles:

6. Flutter Entertainment

Flutter Entertainment (owner of PokerStars and FanDuel) could consider a defensive move to prevent a competitor from acquiring Bet365.

7. Entain

Entain (parent company of Bwin and partypoker), despite its size, could be looking for a strategic merger to rival the American behemoths.

Why so much interest in Bet365?

Bet365 is unlike any other company. It stands out for its proprietary technology, its live betting platform and its presence in over 150 markets. The company also has a reputation for discretion and family management, which could appeal to investors looking to preserve this corporate culture.

The stakes of a potential sale

For these buyers, it is not simply a question of buying a betting operator. It means immediate access to a world-class infrastructure, a huge customer base and almost unbeatable technological leverage.

But the deal will be expensive, demanding from a regulatory point of view, and will have to deal with the Coates family’s possible desire to keep a foot in the company. This adds an extra layer of complexity that only the most seasoned players will be able to manage.