Overview

• Sources close to the company say 120 to 200 of William Hill’s roughly 1,300 UK shops are being lined up for closure, putting as many as 1,500 jobs at risk.
• Evoke says it is continuously reviewing its retail portfolio and modelling different tax scenarios before the 26 November budget, with voluntary redundancies and redeployment sought where possible.
• The owner of William Hill reported a £78 million pre-tax loss in the first half of 2025 and carries about £1.8 billion of debt against a market value near £210 million, driving a broader cost‑cutting effort.
• Political pressure for higher gambling taxes has intensified, with Gordon Brown backing IPPR proposals that could raise about £3 billion, while the Treasury says its consultation focuses on aligning online tax frameworks rather than changing rates.
• Industry leaders warn tax hikes could force widespread shop closures and push bettors to unlicensed operators, with Goodbody estimating up to 3,000 further closures across the sector if levies rise.