888 Holdings said on Tuesday that it plans to change its name to Evoke plc, subject to shareholder approval at its 2024 annual general meeting. The company reported adjusted core profit of £308.3 million for the year ended 31 December, up 41%.
The proposed name change requires shareholder approval before 888 Holdings can adopt the Evoke identity.
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Bally’s Intralot had until 5pm GMT on 18 May to announce a firm intention to bid for evoke or withdraw, under the UK Takeover Code, according to reports. The companies had been discussing an indicative 50p-per-share proposal that valued evoke at about £225m; evoke said discussions were ongoing.
Evoke told staff it plans to close approximately 200 UK retail shops from May, the company said. The closures represent roughly 15% of its retail estate and form part of a strategic review that may include asset disposals. Evoke cited cost pressures, including tax increases announced in the government’s autumn budget.
Sportradar launched Playradar, a division developing cross-vertical gaming products for betting and gaming operators, a press report said. The division includes a 24/7 experience centre, hybrid sports and casino content, and a premium iGaming content unit; Sportradar said it builds on tests in Brazil in the previous year.
William Hill has launched pre-configured, form-based horse-racing bet builders for UK and Irish customers ahead of the Cheltenham Festival. The selections use predefined logic and historical performance data, and are available within the operator’s racing product.
Evoke has confirmed it will close William Hill retail shops that are structurally loss-making in the UK, the company said. It did not give a closure count and linked its cost-saving measures to recent UK gambling tax increases. Evoke is also reviewing strategic options and said it would not provide a 2026 financial outlook while that process continues.