William Hill: Gambling giant blames UK tax rises as they close hundreds of stores
The Independent
Evoke, owner of William Hill and 888, is closing about 270 UK betting shops to offset higher gambling taxes and mounting debts.Summary
Evoke, the owner of William Hill and 888, has confirmed the closure of approximately 270 betting shops across the UK to mitigate the financial impact of increased gambling taxes and significant debt. The company reported pre-tax losses that more than doubled to £549.1 million in 2025, driven largely by higher UK duty costs. These shop closures are expected to cause hundreds of job losses, although the exact number has not been confirmed. Concurrently, Evoke is engaged in discussions regarding a potential £225.3 million takeover by Greek lottery and gaming firm Bally’s Intralot.
(Source：The Independent)