British bookmaker Evoke skips forecast as strategic review continues
30/04/2026 09:38
April 30 (Reuters) - British bookmaker Evoke EVOK.L said on Thursday that it will not provide a forward-looking forecast due to an ongoing strategic review, and also reported like-for-like growth of 2% in the first quarter, excluding retail closures. The company said it had a solid start to the year overall, though weakness in its international operations pushed shares down 1.7% on Thursday. Here are some details: • Sale from the company's UK online operations rose 5% in the quarter, ahead of management expectations, but international revenue slipped 2%. • The company has also been evaluating a takeover proposal from Greek lottery and gaming firm Bally's Intralot BYLOTr.AT, which values debt-laden Evoke at 225.3 million pounds ($304.06 million). • Analysts at JP Morgan said the likelihood of this deal going through "is high", saying investor focus remains on the outcome. • Last December, Evoke launched a strategic review, including a potential sale, and withdrew its medium-term targets in January after UK budget levies on online gaming hit the company hard. • Evoke reported an adjusted core profit of 356.2 million pounds for 2025, compared with 312.5 million pounds a year ago, with revenue rising 2% to 1.78 billion pounds. • Shares fell as much as 4.8% to 39 pence. . ($1 = 0.7410 pounds) (Reporting by Tuhina and Nithyashree R B in Bengaluru;; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips) ((NithyashreeRB@thomsonreuters.com))