Denise Coates is indeed a remarkable figure in the gambling industry. Her journey from transforming a family business of local betting shops into building Bet365, one of the world’s largest online gambling operators, exemplifies extraordinary vision and business acumen.

What stands out most about Coates’ story is her foresight in recognizing the potential of online gambling early on. Her bold decision in 2001 to secure a £15 million loan against the physical shops to fund the online venture was a massive risk that ultimately paid off tremendously. By 2005, selling all physical locations to focus entirely on the digital space showed her commitment to this vision.

Her introduction of the in-play betting feature revolutionized the industry, allowing bettors to place wagers in real-time during events. This innovation alone transformed how people engage with sports betting and has been widely adopted across the industry.