Evoke Considers Closing 200 William Hill UK Shops Over Tax

Evoke, owner of William Hill, is reviewing a large number of its UK betting shops as the government considers increasing gambling taxes. The assessment is being carried out ahead of the Chancellor’s autumn budget on 26 November, which may introduce new levies affecting betting operators.

Reports suggest that between 120 and 200 William Hill outlets could be closed if the tax proposals move forward, potentially impacting roughly 1,500 employees nationwide.

Assessing Operational Impact
Evoke confirmed that it is carefully examining its retail portfolio to understand the potential effects of higher taxes. Among the options under consideration is the possible closure of underperforming high-street branches.

The company, formerly known as 888 Holdings, acquired William Hill in 2022 for £2 billion. It currently runs about 1,300 UK shops and also owns brands including 888 and Mr Green, with a global workforce of around 10,000.

Despite efforts to boost its digital presence, such as the revamped William Hill Vegas app, Evoke faces financial pressures, carrying £1.8 billion in debt from the acquisition and reporting a pre-tax loss of nearly £78 million in H1 2025.

Wider Industry Concerns
The potential closures reflect broader unease in the UK gambling sector over proposed tax increases. Other operators, including Entain (Ladbrokes and Coral), have warned that higher levies could force store closures and reduce domestic investment.

The Treasury stated that the ongoing consultation is intended to simplify the betting tax system by aligning online betting with other digital gambling activities. Officials insist it is not designed solely to raise overall tax rates.

While no definitive decision has been made, the Chancellor’s upcoming budget is expected to influence the fate of hundreds of William Hill retail locations across the UK.