evoke PLC Reports 7 Percent Q3 Revenue Decline After Closing 270 William Hill Shops

evoke PLC posted group revenue of £406m for the third quarter, 7% down year-on-year (or 2% on a like-for-like constant currency). The operator, which has accepted a takeover offer from Bally’s Intralot, used the results to urge the UK government against additional tax rises ahead of the Autumn Budget.

The accounts reflect operations with around 270 fewer William Hill retail shops than the same period last year. evoke excluded the impact of these closures from the reported figures. A decision to close approximately 200 shops was taken on 31 March, the day before Remote Gaming Duty rose from 21 percent to 40 percent.

The company attributed part of the revenue performance to customer-friendly sports results at the start of the football season. That produced a 1-2 percentage point drag on year-on-year growth.

Tax Rises Force Retail Contraction

Per Widerström, Chief Executive Officer of evoke, stated that the underlying business shows resilience despite higher duties. “On an underlying basis the business continues to show resilience and reflects our continued emphasis on profitability and cash generation following the substantial increases in gaming duties, particularly in the UK,” he said.

Widerström added that the shop closures demonstrate tangible effects. “The closure of 270 shops over the past year shows the real impact on jobs and livelihoods from higher industry taxation.” “We urge the UK Government to carefully consider any further increases ahead of its forthcoming Autumn Budget,” he said.

Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive Officer of the Betting and Gaming Council, warned that “adding another tax rise will have consequences.” The Autumn Budget will set the Machine Games Duty rate for evoke’s remaining portfolio of around 1,000 betting shops. The sector had feared a rise from 20 percent to 40 percent on Category B machines; recent reports indicate an increase to 25 percent.

Acquisition Timeline Holds as Fiscal Pressure Persists

The Bally’s Intralot transaction values evoke at 52p per share, or £243.1m. Widerström confirmed the deal “continues to progress as planned towards completing in late Q4 2026 or early Q1 2027.” Completion will lead to delisting from the London Stock Exchange in late 2026.

According to SBC News, the combination of reduced estate and pending tax decisions leaves the operator focused on cash generation and efficiency. The outcome of the Autumn Budget will determine the exact cost burden on the remaining retail network and the economics of the merged group post-acquisition.

Reporting: SBC News

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