William Hill Owner Evoke PLC Considers Closing Up to 200 Betting Shops Across the UK
Published on by Zena Grantham
London, 16 October 2025. Evoke PLC, the parent company of William Hill, is reportedly weighing up plans to close a significant portion of its UK betting shops amid growing financial pressures and the threat of higher gambling taxes. The proposed move could result in up to 200 William Hill retail shops closing nationwide. Roughly 15% of William Hill’s 1,300-strong retail network would close, with as many as 1,500 jobs at risk.
Why Evoke Is Considering the Closures
The potential closures are part of Evoke’s response to a possible increase in UK gambling taxes, expected to be confirmed during the Autumn Budget on 26 November 2025. Industry analysts suggest that even a modest rise in betting tax could render hundreds of high-street shops unprofitable, particularly in towns already struggling with reduced foot traffic.
Evoke, previously known as 888 Holdings, has been under mounting financial pressure since acquiring William Hill from Caesars in 2022. The deal added around £1.8 billion in debt to its balance sheet. The latest financial results revealed a £78 million pre-tax loss for the first half of 2025, driving management to focus on cutting costs and restructuring operations.
A spokesperson for the company stated that, although no final decision has been made, it is “reviewing all options to protect long-term sustainability,” implying that retail downsizing is one of several scenarios being considered.
Job Losses and High-Street Impact
William Hill retail outlets employ small teams of three to five people, meaning any large-scale closure programme would have a visible impact on local communities. Analysts predict that Evoke’s plan to close as many as 200 shops could result in the loss of up to 1,500 jobs.
The betting shop sector has experienced a significant decline over the past decade. In 2014, there were an estimated 8,400 shops, but this number had decreased to 6,000 by 2025. Further cuts would reduce access to regulated betting services and leave more vacant properties on the UK high street, a sector already hit by retail downturns and rising operational costs.
Effect on British Horse Racing
The consequences will reach far beyond the employment sector, directly impacting the UK’s horse racing industry. Betting shops contribute millions each year through media rights fees paid to racecourses for broadcasting live events. Current estimates suggest a sum of £100 million annually.
Additionally, bookmakers pay 10% of their gross profits on British racing to the Horserace Betting Levy Board, which helps fund prize money and racecourse improvements. The Levy generated a record £108 million in 2024/25, but that figure could fall if shop closures reduce overall betting turnover on UK racing.
Industry observers warn that a slight reduction in shop numbers could have measurable consequences for racing’s financial ecosystem – particularly at smaller tracks that rely heavily on Levy income and media rights deals.
What Next for William Hill
Evoke is expected to make a final decision after the 2025 Autumn Budget. If the government introduces higher gambling taxes, the company may begin phased closures in early 2026. Retail analysts believe the company will prioritise closing shops with expiring leases or those located close to other William Hill branches.
Retail analysts believe Evoke will prioritise closing shops with expiring leases or those situated near competitors’ betting outlets within its existing estate. For now, the prospect of another wave of high-street betting shop closures highlights the challenges traditional bookmakers face as the balance between online and retail betting continues to shift.