Overview

• Evoke is assessing options to shutter 120–200 of roughly 1,300 UK William Hill shops, equal to about 9–15% of the estate.
• Up to about 1,500 roles could be affected, with the company indicating it would seek redeployment or voluntary redundancies where feasible.
• The group carries around £1.8bn of debt and posted a £78m pre-tax loss in the first half of 2025 as retail revenues fell 2%.
• The company says no decision has been taken while the Treasury consults on gambling taxation, which officials describe as a simplification exercise rather than a set rate increase.
• Industry leaders warn tax hikes could force broader closures, shrink racing’s media-rights and levy income, and push customers toward unlicensed operators.