Evoke to Shut 200 William Hill Outlets in May Following UK Tax Hikes and Strategic Review

Evoke Plc announces the closure of 200 William Hill betting shops starting May 2026, citing increased UK gambling duties and a broader strategic review.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 10:53 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from iGB

Downsizing the Retail Footprint

Evoke Plc, the parent company of William Hill, has notified its workforce of plans to permanently close approximately 200 of its UK betting shops. This reduction represents roughly 15% of the operator’s current retail portfolio. The closures are scheduled to begin in May 2026 and are the result of an ongoing strategic review initiated in late 2025. According to company statements, the move is a necessary response to "unsustainable" cost pressures within the regulated sector, primarily driven by a significant increase in government-mandated gambling duties.

Impact of the Autumn Budget Tax Hikes

The decision to scale back the retail estate was largely anticipated following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ autumn budget, which introduced substantial increases to the UK’s Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) and Remote Betting Duty (RBD). While the RGD hike came into force today, the RBD increase is slated for April 2027. Evoke’s leadership had previously warned in January that such fiscal measures would necessitate a contraction of their physical footprint. By closing underperforming locations, the company aims to protect the long-term viability of its remaining 1,100 outlets, focusing investment on "the right shops in the right locations."

Strategic Review and Potential Asset Disposals

Since December, Evoke has been exploring a range of strategic alternatives, which could include a partial or full sale of the group. Industry analysts have highlighted the company’s "International" division—which includes growth markets like Italy, Spain, Romania, and Denmark—as its most valuable asset. Because these regions are unaffected by the UK’s new tax duties, experts suggest that selling the international business may be the fastest route for Evoke to deleverage its significant financial holdings. While private equity firms are considered credible buyers for the group as a whole, a split of the international and domestic businesses remains a strong possibility.