William Hill proprietor to shut outlets after ‘important blow’ from Rachel Reeves’ Finances

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Your help makes all of the distinction. Learn extra Evoke, the guardian firm behind betting giants William Hill and 888, has introduced "fast and decisive" measures, together with store closures and important value reductions, to counteract latest authorities adjustments to playing taxes.

The transfer comes because the group continues to discover a possible sale.

The corporate initiated a strategic overview final December, following Chancellor Rachel Reeves' announcement of elevated taxes for on-line playing operators.

Evoke acknowledged it has acted to mitigate the monetary blow from the November Finances, implementing each retail betting store closures and group-wide cost-saving initiatives.

Final yr, the debt-laden agency warned that new on-line gaming duties and a contemporary on-line sports activities betting tax would inflate its annual responsibility prices by as a lot as £135 million from 2027.

Evoke had beforehand indicated it anticipated offsetting roughly half of those tax will increase via retailer closures, alongside potential "adjustments to the client proposition" and provider efficiencies.

Whereas the precise variety of websites already closed was not confirmed on Tuesday, the corporate had beforehand instructed that as much as 200 places might be shut down if playing taxes had been raised.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/01/27/09/eff49b6c2df301f2c2f3b085a99db169Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzY5NTkyMzc5-2.43914442.jpg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/01/27/09/eff49b6c2df301f2c2f3b085a99db169Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzY5NTkyMzc5-2.43914442.jpg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/01/27/09/eff49b6c2df301f2c2f3b085a99db169Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzY5NTkyMzc5-2.43914442.jpg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="Debt-laden Evoke said last year that changes to online gaming duties and a new online sports betting tax would see its duty costs rise by up to £135 million a year from 2027" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

Debt-laden Evoke mentioned final yr that adjustments to on-line gaming duties and a brand new on-line sports activities betting tax would see its responsibility prices rise by as much as £135 million a yr from 2027 (PA Archive) Per Widerstrom, chief govt of Evoke, mentioned: “We had been very upset with the result of the UK Finances in November that dealt a major blow to each Evoke and the broader regulated trade.

“We proceed to imagine these tax will increase will negatively affect the trade’s financial contribution, buyer safety, and can in the end serve to help additional development within the unlawful black market.

“On account of these important UK tax will increase, the board is assessing its strategic choices, with a resolute deal with maximising shareholder worth.”

He added: “We've got moved shortly and decisively to execute on our mitigation plans together with the closure of retail shops which can be not sustainable in addition to broader value financial savings, and we'll replace shareholders on our progress and up to date strategic plan in the end.”

Within the Finances, the Chancellor raised distant gaming responsibility from 21 per cent to 40 per cent from April subsequent yr.

There can even be a brand new on-line sports activities betting responsibility of 25 per cent, which can cowl all sports activities besides horse racing, from 2027.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2020/09/30/15/AFP_8R38MA.jpg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2020/09/30/15/AFP_8R38MA.jpg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2020/09/30/15/AFP_8R38MA.jpg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="William Hill’s owner Evoke did not confirm on Tuesday how many sites had already been closed but indicated ahead of the Budget that it could shut up to 200 sites if gambling taxes were raised" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

William Hill’s proprietor Evoke didn't affirm on Tuesday what number of websites had already been closed however indicated forward of the Finances that it may shut as much as 200 websites if playing taxes had been raised (AFP through Getty Photos) In an replace on buying and selling, Evoke mentioned that fourth-quarter revenues had been 4% decrease on a relentless foreign money foundation in contrast with a yr earlier, when buying and selling was boosted by company-friendly sports activities outcomes.