Denise Coates, the billionaire founder and chief executive of betting behemoth Bet365, has reinforced her position among Britain's top-paid corporate leaders with a colossal remuneration package exceeding £280 million for the past financial year.
A Staggering Pay Deal Amid Shifting Fortunes
The formidable payout was confirmed in newly filed accounts at Companies House, covering the period ending in March 2025. It represents a significant increase from the approximately £159 million she received the previous year. This substantial sum comprises a salary of £104 million and a share of a vastly enlarged shareholder dividend.
Bet365 distributed a total dividend of £353.6 million for the year, which is more than three times the prior year's payout. As the majority shareholder, Ms Coates is entitled to at least half of this sum, equating to nearly £177 million. Combined with her salary, this takes her minimum total earnings for the year to the headline figure of £280 million.
Revenue Growth Contrasts with Falling Profits
The increase in Ms Coates's pay coincided with a period of robust revenue growth for the Stoke-on-Trent-based company, which she runs alongside her brother. Group revenues climbed by 9% to £4.04 billion, driven by expansion in both its sports betting and online gaming divisions.
Company reports cited a "successful" Euro 2024 football tournament and continued expansion into new international markets as key contributors to this top-line growth. However, this revenue surge did not translate into higher profits. The accounts reveal that pre-tax profits fell sharply to £338.5 million, down from £596.3 million a year earlier.
An Eight-Year Billionaire Payout
This latest multi-million pound package further swells the extraordinary total compensation Ms Coates has accrued. Over the past eight years, her combined salary and dividend earnings have reached an astonishing £1.8 billion.
The news emerges against a backdrop of potential seismic change for the privately-owned firm. In May 2025, it was reported that Ms Coates and her family were assessing a potential sale of Bet365, a move that could value the gambling giant at up to £9 billion.
Denise Coates, who was awarded a CBE in 2012, remains one of the most prominent and highly remunerated figures in British business, leading a global empire from its headquarters in the Midlands.
