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William Hill to Shut Betting Shops After 'Significant Blow' From Budget

Evoke said it launched a strategic review in December after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced tax hikes, leading to closures of United Kingdom high-street betting shops and group-wide cost savings.
Following the November Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves raised remote gaming duty from 21% to 40% from April next year and introduced a 25% online sports-betting duty from 2027, which Evoke warned would inflate its annual duty costs by 135 million.
In its trading update, Evoke said fourth-quarter revenues were 4% lower year-on-year, with betting revenues down 22% and gaming revenues up 9%.
Evoke expects to offset about half of the tax impact through store closures and supplier efficiencies, warning it could shut up to 200 sites; shares fell 7% on Tuesday.
Underlining the strain, the board is assessing strategic options, with Per Widerstrom, chief executive of Evoke, warning that tax hikes could fuel the illegal black market and Evoke carries net debt of 464 million.

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examinerlive.co.uk

Major UK bookmaker set to close betting shops after tax changes - Yorkshire Live

Evoke, owner of William Hill, is closing betting shops across the UK following tax changes announced in Rachel Reeves' November Budget

12 hours ago

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The Herald Scotland

+2 Reposted by 2 other sources

Lean Left

William Hill owner Evoke shuts shops after budget tax hit

Debt-laden Evoke said last year that changes to gambling taxes would see its duty costs rise by up to £135 million a year from 2027.

13 hours ago·Scotland, United Kingdom

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The Independent

Lean Left

Bookmaker to close shops after ‘significant blow’ from Budget

Evoke stated it has acted to mitigate the financial blow from the November Budget

15 hours ago·London, United Kingdom

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One News Page

Center

William Hill shuts betting shops after Rachel Reeves £135m tax hit - key details

Evoke, the owner of William Hill and 888, is closing betting shops following substantial tax hikes announced in the Autumn Budget, when the Chancellor raised remote gaming duty from 21% to 40% from April and is adding a new online sports betting duty of 25% from 2027.

15 hours ago

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