Bally’s Intralot announced a £243.1 million all-share acquisition of Evoke Plc on June 5, 2026. The transaction, expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026 or early 2027, transfers ownership of William Hill, 888 and Mr Green to the Athens-based operator.
Financial Restructuring and Retail Adjustments
Evoke Plc reported a 150 percent year-over-year increase in its 2025 after-tax loss, reaching £549.1 million. The decline was primarily attributed to £440 million in impairments across its UK online and retail divisions, while net debt climbed from £1.79 billion to £1.86 billion. As part of its restructuring, the company plans to close approximately 270 William Hill betting shops in the UK, representing roughly 15 percent of its physical locations.Regulatory and Tax Drivers
The acquisition follows the UK Autumn Budget of November 2025, which introduced significant changes to gambling taxation. Remote Gaming Duty on online casino wagers increased from 21 percent to 40 percent of Gross Gambling Yield in April 2026. General Betting Duty on online sports wagers will rise from 15 percent to 25 percent in April 2027, with horse racing bets excluded from the new rate. Bally’s Intralot CEO Robeson Reeves noted that similar tax adjustments in other markets have historically accelerated industry consolidation.Industry observers suggest the shifting regulatory landscape may prompt further mergers among mid-tier operators. Paul Richardson, managing partner at consultancy Partis, indicated that market and tax uncertainty could delay new investments in UK gaming assets over the next eighteen months, citing the Netherlands as a comparable example.
Evoke Plc previously confirmed a strategic review in December 2025, acknowledging that a potential sale was under consideration. The report was originally published by iGaming Future on July 2, 2026.