Evoke, owner of bookmaker William Hill, is urging the U.K. government to avoid further gambling tax increases in its autumn Budget, pointing to 270 betting shop closures as evidence of pressure on the industry.
The Independent reported Friday that Evoke linked the closures over the past year to higher industry taxes. Evoke Chief Executive Per Widerstrom asked ministers to “carefully consider” any further increase.
The Independent reported that remote gaming duty on online casino games rose in April to 40% of providers’ profits, from 21%. A separate 25% duty on online sports betting, excluding horse racing, is scheduled to begin in 2027, the outlet said. It estimated annual gambling tax increases could reach £135 million from 2027, with the shop reductions expected to offset part of the added cost.
The government is reportedly considering a higher machine games duty for next week’s Budget, The Independent reported. The levy covers fruit machines, roulette machines and other slot machines.
Evoke’s third-quarter revenue was £406 million, down 7% from a year earlier, according to the outlet. The decline was 2% after accounting for roughly 270 fewer shops. Evoke said early football season results increased customer winnings and held back sales growth.
Higher duties have also featured in restructuring elsewhere in the industry. Flutter has proposed reductions affecting up to 1,400 workers across its U.K. and Ireland operation, with the plan subject to employee consultation.
The Independent reported that Evoke announced its store-reduction plan in April, when it also disclosed a widening loss. The company expects its £243 million takeover by Greek gambling firm Bally’s Intralot to close by the end of 2026 or early 2027, the outlet reported. The U.K. government is due to present its autumn Budget next week, according to The Independent.
