TLDR
- William Hill will close 200 betting shops from May 24, cutting roughly 14.3% of its outlets
- Up to 1,500 staff could lose their jobs as a result of the closures
- Parent company Evoke blamed rising tax burdens from the UK Autumn Budget
- Evoke is carrying up to £1.8 billion in debt and is exploring a possible sale
- Recent glitches on 888Casino and William Hill online sites led to accidental jackpot payouts worth millions
William Hill is set to close 200 betting shops across the UK starting May 24. The move could result in as many as 1,500 job losses, according to reports.
The closures represent about 14.3% of the bookmaker’s total retail locations. Parent company Evoke said the shops are “no longer sustainable” due to rising costs.
Evoke pointed directly to tax increases announced in last year’s Autumn Budget as the main driver. The company said it carried out a thorough review before making the decision.
“In the face of rising cost pressures we must take action to ensure we can continue to invest in our core retail estate, with the right shops, in the right locations,” Evoke said in a statement obtained by The Sun.
The company added that it is offering full support to retail staff affected by the closures. It stressed that these decisions were not taken lightly.
New UK tax rules are set to take effect on April 1. The Remote Gaming Duty on online casinos will jump from 21% to 40%.
UK Tax Increases Put Pressure on Betting Operators
The General Betting Duty on sports betting will also rise from 15% to 25%, though that increase is not scheduled until April next year.
Evoke had warned about this exact outcome back in October. At the time, the company said tax hikes could force it to close around 200 shops.
That warning has now become reality. The company has been under pressure for months as it deals with mounting financial problems.
Evoke launched a strategic review in December 2025 after its share price collapsed. The company is also carrying debt of up to £1.8 billion.
As part of the review, Evoke hired Morgan Stanley and Rothschild to look at options. Those options include a possible sale of the business.
Reports suggest the process could see Bally’s Intralot acquire most of the company’s assets. A possible side deal involving Betfred has also been mentioned.
Evoke Share Price and Online Platform Issues Add to Troubles
The announcement of the strategic review briefly lifted the share price. But the stock had already fallen around 70% since the government first signaled heavy duty increases.
The shop closures are just the latest in a string of problems for Evoke. Weeks earlier, reports emerged of glitches on 888Casino and William Hill online platforms.
Those glitches reportedly led to the company accidentally paying out millions in jackpot winnings to players. Evoke has since recovered some of the funds.
The company sent emails to affected players about refunds. However, legal challenges are expected as a result of the incident.
