Evoke is considering closing up to around 200 William Hill betting shops in the UK, with voluntary redundancies and redeployment under consideration where feasible. The company said it is assessing the effects of different tax scenarios ahead of the government’s 26 November budget; no tax increase has been announced.
The review could affect William Hill’s UK retail estate and staff before the government sets its next budget.
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Reportedly, Evoke, the parent company of William Hill, remains in broadly the same financial position as a year earlier as it awaits acquisition by Bally's Intralot. The Athens-listed buyer paid £243.3m for the LSE-listed company, with the deal due to complete in Q4 2026 or Q1 2027.
Bally’s Intralot chief executive Robeson Reeves said the company does not plan to sell evoke assets immediately if its agreed acquisition proceeds. The all-share deal values evoke at £243.1m and is expected to close in Q4 2026 or early 2027, subject to gaming and antitrust approvals.
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.