TLDR
- Bally’s Intralot’s purchase of Evoke may face a delay in Pennsylvania over a licensing conflict.
- An Evoke subsidiary, 888 Atlantic, still provides services to Caesars under a contract dating back to 2012.
- The companies proposed giving up 888 Atlantic’s Pennsylvania manufacturer license as a workaround.
- Pennsylvania’s Office of Enforcement Counsel reportedly recommended against the plan, but the state gaming board has the final say.
- Evoke said last week the deal remains on track, with closing expected in Q4 2026 or Q1 2027.
Bally’s Intralot’s planned purchase of Evoke could face a delay in Pennsylvania. The issue centers on an old business deal between an Evoke subsidiary and Caesars.
Evoke shareholders approved the takeover in August. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026 or the first quarter of 2027.
Before that can happen, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, or PGCB, must sort out an unusual licensing problem. The board has to approve the deal before it can move forward.
A Long-Running Contract With Caesars
According to a recent report from Next.io, Evoke has mostly left the US consumer market. It ended its partnership with Sports Illustrated in 2024 through a $50 million deal.
However, Evoke still provides business-to-business services to Caesars. It does this through a subsidiary called 888 Atlantic.
The work covers technology, player account management, and customer support. These services support Caesars’ World Series of Poker online offering in Pennsylvania.
The arrangement dates back to January 2012. It runs under an interactive gaming manufacturer license, with a wind-down period of up to six months.
Pennsylvania has rules for companies that hold both interactive gaming manufacturer licenses and interactive gaming certificates. This is where the problem comes from.
Bally’s Intralot’s parent company is Bally’s Corporation. It owns Bally’s Pennsylvania, a licensed online casino operator that holds two interactive gaming certificates.
Regulators Weigh a Proposed Fix
A regular licensing review can take more than nine months. That timeline could push the deal past its expected closing window.
To avoid this, the companies have proposed a workaround. Under the plan, 888 Atlantic would give up its Pennsylvania manufacturer license, and temporary arrangements would let it wind down operations.
Pennsylvania’s Office of Enforcement Counsel has reportedly recommended against this solution. Still, the PGCB will make the final decision.
If the board approves the plan, the enforcement office has suggested extra safeguards. These include weekly updates to enforcement officials and final approval before the license surrender takes effect.
The office also wants rules that stop unlicensed people from gaining control of 888 Atlantic. These conditions would only apply if the plan is approved.
The takeover comes as Evoke faces financial pressure. Analysts have mostly viewed the deal as positive for the company because it would ease much of its debt.
Evoke recently reported third-quarter revenue of 406 million pounds, or about $540.36 million. That was a 7% drop from 2025.
The company has also faced challenges with its William Hill brand. It was forced to close 270 betting shops in the UK.
Last week, Evoke said the acquisition remained on track. The company added that most regulatory approvals are already in place, leaving the PGCB’s decision as a key remaining step.
