Overview

• The review could affect 120–200 of roughly 1,300 outlets, putting up to about 1,500 jobs at risk according to multiple reports.
• Evoke says it is continuously reviewing its portfolio and assessing tax scenarios but has made no final decisions and would seek redeployment and voluntary redundancies where possible.
• The Treasury says its consultation is to simplify gambling duties before the 26 November budget, as Labour figures and the IPPR argue for higher taxes on the sector.
• Evoke carries around £1.8bn of debt, reported a £78m pre‑tax loss in the first half of 2025 and has a market value near £210m, with retail revenue down 2% over the period.
• Industry leaders warn higher duties could render more shops unviable and push betting to the black market, while BHA and Regulus estimate racing could lose £66m–£160m a year.