William Hill owner to close 270 betting shops amid 'significant tax increases' with hundreds of jobs affected

Joe Sledge
Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:16:52 +0000

Evoke has confirmed plans to close around 270 betting shops across Britain as it responds to rising tax pressures.

The group, which owns William Hill and 888, said the closures follow a review of its retail estate.

Hundreds of jobs are expected to be affected, although the company has not confirmed the exact number of roles at risk.

The decision comes as Evoke holds discussions over a possible takeover by Bally’s Intralot, in a deal valuing the business at £225.3million.

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The company launched a strategic review last year as it faced mounting debt and rising operating costs.

It said changes introduced in the 2025 Budget have significantly increased the tax burden on the sector, after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced measures raising duties on gambling operators.

Evoke reported pre‑tax losses of £549.1million in 2025, up from £220.9million the previous year, driven largely by a £440.3million impairment charge linked to higher gambling duties.

The firm had previously warned it could face additional costs of up to £135million a year from 2027.

Changes to remote gaming duty saw the rate rise from 21 per cent to 40 per cent from April, with a further levy on online sports betting due in 2027 at 25 per cent, excluding horse racing.

The company said the measures represent a significant shift in the operating environment for gambling firms and warned they would have a substantial impact on its core UK market.

Chief executive, Per Widerstrom, said: “The significant UK duty increases announced in November represented a fundamental shift in the economics of our largest market and will have a substantial impact across the regulated industry.”

He said Evoke had “acted decisively to mitigate the impact of these changes and protect long‑term shareholder value”, including launching a strategic review and implementing operational changes.

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The company said the closures and cost‑cutting measures form part of a wider effort to stabilise finances and improve long‑term performance.

The latest announcement follows earlier warnings from Evoke that recent tax changes would force the company to reassess the viability of parts of its UK business.

Executives had previously described the duty increases as “ill‑thought‑through” and “highly damaging”, arguing they would reshape the economics of the regulated sector.

The group has repeatedly said rising fiscal and regulatory pressures leave operators with limited room to absorb additional costs, signalling that further restructuring was likely.