They are known for generating hundreds and thousands of millions from the gambling industry, becoming some of the most successful business people in the sector in the UK.
All of them hold massive stakes at some of the most profitable and popular gambling operators in the country, winning a real fortune on an annual basis and becoming some of the most powerful moguls in the contemporary UK gambling industry. Here are some of the most successful gambling magnates at a time when both the retail and online casino, betting and gaming business has been reported to reach a point of saturation due to the large interest in it.
bet365’s Owners – The Coates Family
The Coates Family – father Peter, his daughter Denise and his son John – have managed to turn the company into one of the leading gambling companies on the territory of the UK. Founded in 2000, bet365 have more than a decade and a half of experience not only in its home country, but also in number of regulated markets around the world.
The business was launched online in March 2001, after Denise Coates gathered a team of specialists to create a sports betting platform and gather a trading team. The sometimes controversial policy of the company’s owners has not always been approved by experts and society, but there is no doubt that the gambling giant created by them is one of the largest and most successful companies in the casino, betting and gaming industry in the UK.
Teddy Sagi – Founder of Playtech
The Israeli billionaire currently residing in London is well-known as a former convicted felon, but he managed to become one of the UK gambling industry moguls after creating the gambling software and services provider Playtech.
The company was created back in 1999, and currently Sagi owned roughly a 34% stake in Playtech. At the end of November 2016, the online casino and gambling software developer officially revealed that Sagi has decided to dispose of 12% of his stake. The billionaire has initially planned to sell 10% only, but at the end a total of 12% were sold at the price of £329 million. Currently, he owns a total of 21.6% of the developer’s shares.
Victor Chandler – Owner of BetVictor
One of the most-respected gentlemen in the UK gambling industry, Mr. Chandler is undoubtedly among the pioneers in offshore web-based gambling and bookmaking, after making some great changes in his father’s betting business he took over in 1975.
BetVictor was originally based in the UK, but then Chandler decided to move the business to Gibraltar in 1999. Currently, the company’s owner is considered as one of the most successful people in the UK gambling industry, seeking further growth in foreign markets and opening offices of the operator outside the UK and Gibraltar.
Owners of 888 Holdings Avi and Aaron Shaked
Brothers Avi and Aaron Shaked are among the most powerful people in the UK gambling industry, too. After teaming up with the brothers Shay and Ron Ben-Yitzhak and creating Virtual Holdings Limited twenty years ago, they later turned the company in 888 Holdings.
Although the Shaked brothers decided to sell a massive stake in the company at the time it floated to on the London Stock Exchange in 2005, they are still deeply into it, still holding the majority control of 888 Holdings along with the Ben-Yitzhaks family.
- Author
Harry Evans
