Coates family of Stoke-on-Trent's bet365 make The Sunday Times Tax List 2026
By Liana Snape 31st Jan 2026
The Coates family, of Stoke-on-Trent-based gambling company bet365, have been listed on The Sunday Times Tax List 2026.
Denise, John and Peter Coates, owners of bet365 and Stoke City FC, are ranked fifth in the eighth edition of the tax list paying £227.1m in tax.
The Sunday Times Tax List, is released as millions of people have met the self-assessment deadline at the end of January.
The Tax List rankings include corporation tax, dividend tax, capital gains tax, income tax and some payroll taxes as well as gambling and alcohol duties, according to the most recently filed company accounts. These are calculated in proportion with ownership of the company in question.
Gambling founders Fred and Peter Done of Betfred top the rankings, with an estimated contribution of £400.1 million, up from £273.4 million a year ago.
The brothers founded the company in 1967 and it is headquartered in Warrington, Cheshire.
Others featuring on the list include former One Direction star Harry Styles (number 54, £24.7 million), Harry Potter author JK Rowling (number 36, £47.5 million), and heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua (number 100, £11 million).
Robert Watts, who compiled The Sunday Times Tax List, said: "The Sunday Times Tax List features household names as well as some of our economy's hidden heroes, quietly successful entrepreneurs who have set up companies employing hundreds of people and plugging vast sums into the public finances.
"This is an increasingly diverse list with Premier League footballers and world famous pop stars lining up alongside aristocrats and business owners selling pies, pillows and baby milk.
"This year there's been a big jump in the amount of tax we've identified — largely because of higher corporation tax rates. All of the 100 individuals and families who appear delivered at least £11 million to the Exchequer over the past year. Fourteen of the entries paid at least £100 million."
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