Bet365 Owners Top Gambling Rich List as Industry Faces Higher UK Taxes

The founders of Bet365 have once again emerged as the wealthiest figures in the gambling industry after the release of the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List, which highlights the fortunes of Britain's richest individuals and families.

The annual ranking, published on May 15, places the Coates family at the top of the gambling sector with an estimated wealth of £9.73 billion, making them the 17th-richest family in the United Kingdom.

The list, which tracks the 350 wealthiest residents in Britain, estimates their combined fortune at £784 billion—equivalent to roughly a quarter of the country's annual economic output. While overall wealth among Britain's richest increased modestly compared to last year, the gambling industry remains one of the most prominent sectors represented among the nation's billionaires.

Coates Family Continues to Dominate

Bet365 founder Denise Coates, alongside her brother John Coates and father Peter Coates, remains the industry's richest family despite slipping one place in the overall rankings.

The family's wealth increased by more than £280 million over the past year, underlining the continued success of the online betting giant. Bet365 remains one of the world's largest privately owned gambling companies and a major employer in Stoke-on-Trent, where it employs more than 5,500 people.

The company has expanded its international footprint in recent years, entering new regulated markets while reports have suggested that a potential sale of the business could value the operator at approximately £9 billion.

Another Bet365-linked figure, director and early investor Will Roseff, also made the list with an estimated fortune of £591 million.

Betfred Founders Record Biggest Rise

Among gambling figures featured on the Rich List, few enjoyed a better year than Betfred founders Fred and Peter Done.

The Salford-born brothers climbed 11 places in the rankings to 46th overall after their wealth surged to £3.61 billion. Their estimated fortune grew by nearly £700 million over the past year, representing the largest increase among gambling industry representatives on the list.

Betfred has continued to expand both domestically and internationally, operating more than 1,300 betting shops across the UK while strengthening its presence in the United States.

PokerStars Fouder Remains Among Wealthiest Figures

PokerStars co-founder Mark Scheinberg retained his place among Britain's wealthiest individuals despite a slight decline in his overall fortune.

Scheinberg, who sold PokerStars in a multi-billion-dollar deal in 2014, ranks 37th on the Rich List with an estimated wealth of £4.89 billion. Since exiting the online poker business, he has invested heavily in luxury hospitality and real estate ventures.

Property billionaires Ian and Richard Livingstone also featured prominently, largely due to their stake in live casino technology provider Evolution. The brothers rank 32nd overall with a combined fortune of £5.69 billion.

Football and Betting Fortunes Intersect

Several names on the list highlight the close relationship between sports and the gambling industry.

Tony Bloom, owner of Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., ranks among Britain's richest gambling entrepreneurs thanks to his betting analytics company Starlizard. Bloom's estimated wealth stands at £779 million.

Meanwhile, Michael Tabor, whose interests span both betting and horse racing, appears on the list with an estimated fortune of £800 million. Tabor remains one of the most influential figures in global horse racing.

Industry Faces New Financial Challenges

The publication of this year's Rich List comes at a significant moment for the gambling industry.

Recent tax reforms announced by the UK government have increased duties on online casino operators and sports betting companies, creating fresh financial pressures across the sector. Industry analysts believe the changes could affect profitability and future growth prospects for some operators.

The wider economic environment has also sparked concerns about wealthy individuals relocating overseas following changes to Britain's tax regime. The absence of Playtech founder Teddy Sagi from this year's ranking has fueled speculation about the impact of those reforms on high-net-worth individuals connected to the gambling sector.

Despite those challenges, the gambling industry remains one of the country's most lucrative business sectors, with eight industry figures securing places among Britain's wealthiest residents.

Attention will now turn to how major operators adapt to higher taxes and tighter regulatory environments over the coming year. Any future sale of Bet365, widely regarded as one of the most valuable privately owned gambling companies in the world, could dramatically reshape the rankings in years to come.