UK's Evoke plans to close 200 UK betting shops, Bloomberg News reports (updated)
31/03/2026 16:51
Updates sourcing, adds company statement in paragraph 3, shares in paragraph 6 March 31 (Reuters) - British betting group Evoke EVOK.L will shut a number of betting shops from May, the company said, citing rising cost pressures and higher taxes imposed in the government's autumn budget last year. Bloomberg News earlier reported that William Hill owner Evoke plans to close about 200 UK stores after a government crackdown on the gambling sector. Evoke did not immediately confirm the number of closures to Reuters. "In the face of rising cost pressures we must take action to ensure we can continue to invest in our core retail estate, with the right shops, in the right locations,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. The company in December announced that it was reviewing options including a potential sale of the company, after UK tax hikes on online gaming and sports betting forced it to withdraw its medium-term outlook. The British bookmaker further withheld its 2026 outlook in late January, leaving investors in the dark. Shares in the company, which fell more than 63% last year, have risen 54% so far this year. (Reporting by Sri Hari N S in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Hugh Lawson) ((srihari.ns@thomsonreuters.com))