The Guardian reports that Coates family holds talks with Wall Street banks about full or partial sale of Bet365 bookmaker. The figure of £9bn is already on the table according to media.
A variety of options is discussed, including a medium-term plan to list the business on a US stock exchange in an attempt to create the maximum possible value. Bet365 is for sale and not on sale so far.
We are watching closely.
Bet365 for sale
- Hkjckiller
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arbusers
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Re: Bet365 for sale
Theoretically, there should be a dozen serious bidders for Bet365, looking to expand or complement their portfolio in both banks of the Atlantic.
But realistically, I see only 5 possible scenarios:
1. Flutter Entertainment: It has a very strong balance sheet, proven ability to raise capital (e.g., acquisitions of Stars Group, Sisal), and could raise funds via equity + debt and strong institutional investor backing. Acquiring Bet365 would consolidate its European dominance and add a highly profitable sportsbook with proprietary tech. On the flip side, Flutter made significant efforts to jump from the UK to the USA. A more European centred business model will bring them back where they started from.
2. Polymarket: With Thiel being a guarantee for success, a Bet365 portfolio would create a shortcut to avoid the long court battles they will inevitably have to give. They would separate the US and the UK/Europe assets, boosting the US and just keeping alive the rest.
3. DraftKings: A very strong equity position that regularly issues stock for deals. Could structure a cash + stock offer or raise debt with backing. Being in the USA means (at least for now) abundance of available cash. Acquiring Bet365 would make them a global giant vis-a-vis Flutter. On the flip side, no signals are emitted from them showing will to expand outside the USA. The US administration might not favour an expansion outside the country.
4. Apollo Global / Blackstone (Private Equity): With hundreds of billions available straight away, what are these 9bn we are talking about? Peanuts to them. They can deploy large-scale buyouts easily and they are most capable of funding the deal outright, including via leveraged buyout (LBO). On the flip side, the management might not be happy adding a new non traditional industry in the portfolio.
5. A big surprise: These last months I highlighted several times the low visibility effort of huge US companies to take part of the pie. I am talking about Apple, Amazon, Disney, and even platforms like InteractiveBrokers and Robinhood. Who knows, maybe even Elon Musk. They all have the cash, but they would think twice and ask for a centrally approved decision to purchase something outside the US.
In any case, Coates tried to anchor potential bidders by highlighting the £9bn figure straight from the very beginning. Not sure if this hook still works as the other sides have moved forward with unorthodox techniques and means. Time will show, soon.
But realistically, I see only 5 possible scenarios:
1. Flutter Entertainment: It has a very strong balance sheet, proven ability to raise capital (e.g., acquisitions of Stars Group, Sisal), and could raise funds via equity + debt and strong institutional investor backing. Acquiring Bet365 would consolidate its European dominance and add a highly profitable sportsbook with proprietary tech. On the flip side, Flutter made significant efforts to jump from the UK to the USA. A more European centred business model will bring them back where they started from.
2. Polymarket: With Thiel being a guarantee for success, a Bet365 portfolio would create a shortcut to avoid the long court battles they will inevitably have to give. They would separate the US and the UK/Europe assets, boosting the US and just keeping alive the rest.
3. DraftKings: A very strong equity position that regularly issues stock for deals. Could structure a cash + stock offer or raise debt with backing. Being in the USA means (at least for now) abundance of available cash. Acquiring Bet365 would make them a global giant vis-a-vis Flutter. On the flip side, no signals are emitted from them showing will to expand outside the USA. The US administration might not favour an expansion outside the country.
4. Apollo Global / Blackstone (Private Equity): With hundreds of billions available straight away, what are these 9bn we are talking about? Peanuts to them. They can deploy large-scale buyouts easily and they are most capable of funding the deal outright, including via leveraged buyout (LBO). On the flip side, the management might not be happy adding a new non traditional industry in the portfolio.
5. A big surprise: These last months I highlighted several times the low visibility effort of huge US companies to take part of the pie. I am talking about Apple, Amazon, Disney, and even platforms like InteractiveBrokers and Robinhood. Who knows, maybe even Elon Musk. They all have the cash, but they would think twice and ask for a centrally approved decision to purchase something outside the US.
In any case, Coates tried to anchor potential bidders by highlighting the £9bn figure straight from the very beginning. Not sure if this hook still works as the other sides have moved forward with unorthodox techniques and means. Time will show, soon.
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arbusers
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Re: Bet365 for sale
Recent actions by Bet365 suggested they were preparing for strategic shifts:
1. Exit from China: A couple of months ago, Bet365 ceased operations in China, a market with complex regulatory challenges, to focus on more stable regions. Our Chinese members were the first to report the news.
2. Transfer of Stoke City FC Ownership: Ownership of the football club was transferred to John Coates in August 2024. John Coates became the outright owner of the club following a structural change and demerger from the Bet365 Group.
Now I m sure the new ownership would love to have Bet365 without burdens, so I can only suppose that Bet365 affiliates will suffer a very deep haircut. Probably they will be bald from now on.
As of today (May 2025), Bet365 operates in 13 U.S. states, including recent launches in Tennessee and Illinois. In terms of market share, Bet365 holds approximately 2.5% of the total U.S. sports betting market. However, in specific states, the company has achieved higher penetration; (9.2% in Ohio where they spend massively in marketing).
Bet365 faces serious competition from established U.S. operators like FanDuel and DraftKings, with a market share exceeding 70%. Additionally, Bet365's absence in major States such as New York limits its growth potential. Thus Bet365's potential bider might be looking to complement it's established business. Wondering who this bider might be.
1. Exit from China: A couple of months ago, Bet365 ceased operations in China, a market with complex regulatory challenges, to focus on more stable regions. Our Chinese members were the first to report the news.
2. Transfer of Stoke City FC Ownership: Ownership of the football club was transferred to John Coates in August 2024. John Coates became the outright owner of the club following a structural change and demerger from the Bet365 Group.
Now I m sure the new ownership would love to have Bet365 without burdens, so I can only suppose that Bet365 affiliates will suffer a very deep haircut. Probably they will be bald from now on.
As of today (May 2025), Bet365 operates in 13 U.S. states, including recent launches in Tennessee and Illinois. In terms of market share, Bet365 holds approximately 2.5% of the total U.S. sports betting market. However, in specific states, the company has achieved higher penetration; (9.2% in Ohio where they spend massively in marketing).
Bet365 faces serious competition from established U.S. operators like FanDuel and DraftKings, with a market share exceeding 70%. Additionally, Bet365's absence in major States such as New York limits its growth potential. Thus Bet365's potential bider might be looking to complement it's established business. Wondering who this bider might be.
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CharlieSheen99
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Re: Bet365 for sale
Do you think now is a good time to sell a gambling company?
On the one hand, I do think the immediate future looks bleak. There are many clouds on the horizon. But on the other hand, the gambling sector is booming, and expecting to rise in the near future. SportRadar, for example, is growing at a rate of 20% per year, and is telling their investors that they will raise at 20% rate for the next 10 years. Then again, I suppose that when you’re talking about those kinds of sums, an extra zero more or less doesn’t really matter.
On the one hand, I do think the immediate future looks bleak. There are many clouds on the horizon. But on the other hand, the gambling sector is booming, and expecting to rise in the near future. SportRadar, for example, is growing at a rate of 20% per year, and is telling their investors that they will raise at 20% rate for the next 10 years. Then again, I suppose that when you’re talking about those kinds of sums, an extra zero more or less doesn’t really matter.
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arbusers
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Yes, it is.
The amount of the circulating liquidity looks like a Tsunami of cash. And gambling stocks are as hot as they can be, especially in the US, where everyone, and I mean everyone from the big pockets is having an eye open on gambling. I m sure Coates is praying she sells before a GFC, or who knows what starts.
Re: Bet365 for sale
CharlieSheen99 wrote: ↑Wed May 14, 2025 6:30 pmDo you think now is a good time to sell a gambling company?
Yes, it is.
The amount of the circulating liquidity looks like a Tsunami of cash. And gambling stocks are as hot as they can be, especially in the US, where everyone, and I mean everyone from the big pockets is having an eye open on gambling. I m sure Coates is praying she sells before a GFC, or who knows what starts.
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CharlieSheen99
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