{"id":10701,"date":"2026-05-01T03:09:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T03:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/01\/evoke-losses-hit-549m-as-william-hill-owner-plans-shop-closures\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T03:09:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T03:09:15","slug":"evoke-losses-hit-549m-as-william-hill-owner-plans-shop-closures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/01\/evoke-losses-hit-549m-as-william-hill-owner-plans-shop-closures\/","title":{"rendered":"Evoke Losses Hit \u00a3549M As William Hill Owner Plans Shop Closures"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p>Evoke reported a much deeper 2025 loss as higher UK gambling taxes and a large impairment charge weighed on the owner of William Hill and 888.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><strong><em>Good to Know<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>Evoke reported a \u00a3549.1 million pre-tax loss in 2025, up from \u00a3220.9 million.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Revenue rose 2% to \u00a31.78 billion, while EBITDA climbed 43% to \u00a3301.3 million.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>The company plans to close around 270 William Hill betting shops.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr>\n<h2>Evoke Results Show Pressure Behind Retail Cuts<\/h2>\n<p>Evoke grew revenue in 2025, but higher UK duties and a \u00a3440.3 million impairment charge left the group deeper in the red. Pre-tax losses more than doubled to \u00a3549.1 million ($741 million), compared with \u00a3220.9 million ($298 million) a year earlier.<\/p>\n<p>The company still pointed to stronger underlying trading. Group revenue increased 2% to \u00a31.78 billion, while EBITDA rose 43% to \u00a3301.3 million. However, the UK and Ireland remained a weak area, with revenue down 2% to \u00a31.17 billion as both online and retail softened.<\/p>\n<p>Chief Executive Per Widerstr\u00f6m said the November UK duty changes altered the economics of the market. He said:<\/p>\n<div class=\"main-org-3-item-ins box-100 relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-items box-100 relative\">\n<div class=\"box-100 space-org-3-item relative border-tb mt-1 \">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-ins box-100 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo box-25 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo-ins box-100 text-center relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-logo-title-box box-100 text-left relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo-box box-25 relative img-radius\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/site\/betus\/\" title=\"Visit Site\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t<amp-img alt=\"BetUS\" src=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/BetUS.png.webp\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\" layout=\"fixed\"><br \/>\n\t\t<\/amp-img><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo-title box-25 relative py-10\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/site\/betus\/\" title=\"BetUS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">BetUS<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-terms box-25 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-terms-ins box-100 text-center relative\">\n\t\t<strong><strong>Get 125% \/ $2,500 on 1st deposit!<\/strong><\/strong><br \/>\n\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"pt-1\">New players only. Exclusive Welcome Bonus of up to $2,500<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-rating box-25 relative mb-10\">\n<div class=\"rating-box text-center box-100  relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-rating-box relative\">\n<div class=\"stars\"><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-rating-notice relative\">Casino &#038; Sports<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\n\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-button box-25 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-button-ins box-100 text-center relative\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/site\/betus\/\" title=\"Visit Site\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">\tVisit Site<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Finance chief Sean Wilkins said Evoke has so far seen little short-term disruption from the new regime:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cIn the first 30 days, the truth is we\u2019ve not seen any impact. The company is pleased with the way UK&#038;I online is performing.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Outside the UK and Ireland, Evoke had more support. International revenue rose 9.3% to \u00a3606.9 million, while EBITDA increased 49.2% to \u00a3175.4 million. Italy, Denmark and Romania helped drive that growth, although Romania has also become harder for regulated operators.<\/p>\n<div class=\"main-org-3-item-ins box-100 relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-items box-100 relative\">\n<div class=\"box-100 space-org-3-item relative border-tb mt-1 \">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-ins box-100 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo box-25 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo-ins box-100 text-center relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-logo-title-box box-100 text-left relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo-box box-25 relative img-radius\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/site\/mirax-casino\/\" title=\"Visit Site\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t<amp-img alt=\"Mirax Casino\" src=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Mirax-Casino.png.webp\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\" layout=\"fixed\"><br \/>\n\t\t<\/amp-img><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo-title box-25 relative py-10\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/site\/mirax-casino\/\" title=\"Mirax Casino\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Mirax Casino<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-terms box-25 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-terms-ins box-100 text-center relative\">\n\t\t<strong>350% or 5BTC + <strong>150 Spins!<\/strong><\/strong><br \/>\n\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"pt-1\">New players only. Exclusive Welcome Bonus of 350% + 150 Free Spins\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-rating box-25 relative mb-10\">\n<div class=\"rating-box text-center box-100  relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-rating-box relative\">\n<div class=\"stars\"><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-rating-notice relative\">Casino<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\n\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-button box-25 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-button-ins box-100 text-center relative\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/site\/mirax-casino\/\" title=\"Visit Site\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">\tVisit Site<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>\u201cRomania is seeing strong black market growth following tax increase, and as regulated operators, this is hurting us,\u201d<\/em> Wilkins said.<\/p>\n<p>The financial pressure now feeds into a leaner retail plan. As iGaming.org <a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/casino-news\/william-hill-to-close-around-200-betting-shops-in-the-uk\/\">reported<\/a> earlier in April, Evoke will close around 270 William Hill betting shops after reviewing underperforming locations. The closures are expected to cost hundreds of jobs, though Evoke has not confirmed a number.<\/p>\n<p>Widerstr\u00f6m said:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cWe have done a very in-depth review of our retail estate, and we identified 230 shops that we are closing, We have some fantastic 1,000+ shops that are providing excellent service and entertainment to our customers, and obviously, with this more efficient retail estate, we have sufficiently improved the long-term sustainability, cash flow and profitability.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The review also sits alongside wider efforts to reduce costs, protect cash flow and address roughly \u00a31.9 billion in net debt. Widerstr\u00f6m said:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cWe have acted decisively to mitigate the impact of these changes and protect long-term shareholder value, including initiating a strategic review and implementing significant operational actions across the business.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"main-org-3-item-ins box-100 relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-items box-100 relative\">\n<div class=\"box-100 space-org-3-item relative border-tb mt-1 \">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-ins box-100 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo box-25 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo-ins box-100 text-center relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-logo-title-box box-100 text-left relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo-box box-25 relative img-radius\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/site\/mirax-casino\/\" title=\"Visit Site\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t<amp-img alt=\"Mirax Casino\" src=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Mirax-Casino.png.webp\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\" layout=\"fixed\"><br \/>\n\t\t<\/amp-img><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo-title box-25 relative py-10\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/site\/mirax-casino\/\" title=\"Mirax Casino\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Mirax Casino<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-terms box-25 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-terms-ins box-100 text-center relative\">\n\t\t<strong>350% or 5BTC + <strong>150 Spins!<\/strong><\/strong><br \/>\n\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"pt-1\">New players only. Exclusive Welcome Bonus of 350% + 150 Free Spins\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-rating box-25 relative mb-10\">\n<div class=\"rating-box text-center box-100  relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-rating-box relative\">\n<div class=\"stars\"><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-rating-notice relative\">Casino<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\n\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-button box-25 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-button-ins box-100 text-center relative\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/site\/mirax-casino\/\" title=\"Visit Site\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">\tVisit Site<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A possible ownership change also remains on the table. As we reported last week, Evoke is in talks over a potential takeover by Bally\u2019s Intralot in a deal valuing the business at about <a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/casino-news\/ballys-intralot-looks-to-acquire-evoke-in-225m-deal\/\">\u00a3225.3 million<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cOur focus for 2026 is very much on cash generation and balance sheet strength,\u201d<\/em> Wilkins commented<\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/casino-news\/evoke-losses-hit-549m-as-william-hill-owner-plans-shop-closures\/\">Evoke Losses Hit \u00a3549M As William Hill Owner Plans Shop Closures<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/\">iGaming.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Evoke reported a much deeper 2025 loss as higher UK gambling taxes and a large impairment charge weighed on the owner of William Hill and 888. Good to Know Evoke reported a \u00a3549.1 million pre-tax loss in 2025, up from \u00a3220.9 million. Revenue rose 2% to \u00a31.78 billion, while EBITDA climbed 43% to \u00a3301.3 million. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"blocksy_meta":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10701","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10701"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10701\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10701"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}