Stoke-based business, Bet365, is the largest private employer in Stoke, employing more than 1,700 people and showing profit last year of £93.7 million. Peter Coates founded the company in 2003, with his accountant daughter Denise. Peter Coates is also the chairman of Stoke City FC which he bought for £6m (2006).
Bet365 online community now boasts over 6 million customers in 200 countries across the world, which makes it more popular than giants William Hill and Ladbrokes put together.
The business continues to be run as a family operation with Denise Coates and her brother John, the Joint Chief Executives, and their father Peter the Chairman.
