The appointment of Phil Walker as interim chief executive of the UK National Lottery operator has come under political scrutiny, with concerns raised over his past record in the gambling sector and his recent involvement with a major adult gaming center operator. Allwyn UK, which holds the National Lottery license until 2034, announced that Walker will replace outgoing chief executive Andria Vidler on an interim basis from 7 September. The company has described the appointment as an opportunity to bring […]

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GiG Software has outlined plans to acquire a majority stake in 888Africa, a transaction that would bring the company back into the business-to-consumer gambling sector after several years focused solely on B2B operations. The Stockholm-listed supplier announced on 26 August that it had reached agreement on the principal commercial terms to purchase 80% of 888Africa from Virtual Emerging Entertainment Limited (VEEL), a subsidiary of evoke plc. The proposed transaction values the stake at approximately €16.4 million and remains subject to […]

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Bally’s Intralot recorded higher revenue during the second quarter of 2026, supported by strong performance from its international online operations, though a sharp increase in UK gambling taxes significantly reduced profitability during the period. The company reported (pdf) group revenue of €276.1 million for the three months ending 30 June, representing a 3% increase from €268.1 million in the previous quarter. Growth came primarily from the Bally’s International Interactive (BII) division, where online activity in the UK and Spain delivered […]

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Bally’s Intralot S.A. announced the submission of a binding offer to acquire all shares of evoke plc, the Gibraltar-based company listed on the London Stock Exchange. The agreement, confirmed on June 5, 2026, outlines an all-share acquisition intended to consolidate evoke into Bally’s Intralot through a scheme of arrangement under Part VIII of the Gibraltar Companies Act. As an alternative, evoke shareholders may elect to receive cash in lieu of shares, capped at £117.1 million. The acquisition values evoke at approximately […]

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William Hill has launched a widespread effort to recover millions of pounds from players after a technical error led to substantial sums being mistakenly credited to their accounts. The glitch, which occurred in the Jackpot Drop feature of the operator’s gaming platform, caused players to believe they had won large jackpots. Screenshots of inflated balances spread quickly on social media, showcasing accounts with balances of up to £236,000, sparking excitement among users who shared their apparent good fortune. The issue arose when […]

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Evoke, the owner of William Hill and 888, has initiated widespread cost-cutting measures and shuttered betting shops in response to recently announced tax increases targeting the UK gambling sector. The changes follow the November budget, which set out higher duties on both online gaming and online sports wagering. The group has stated that these policy adjustments have prompted a strategic review and that potential outcomes include the sale of the company or its assets. The company began its review last December after […]

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William Hill is preparing to pull out of a broad group of international markets as parent company Evoke moves forward with an extensive realignment of its global footprint. Beginning 2 December, the operator will no longer accept bets from customers in 13 jurisdictions across Africa, Asia and Latin America—a significant shift that marks one of the brand’s largest geographic retreats in years. Strategic Consolidation Rather Than Isolated Market Exits Residents of Angola, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, the […]

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Evoke plc, the parent company of bookmaker William Hill, is reportedly preparing to close a significant portion of its UK betting shop network as the government considers steep gambling tax hikes in the upcoming November Budget. The potential closures could affect between 120 and 200 of its 1,300 retail outlets, threatening around 1,500 jobs across Britain. According to a report from The Sunday Times, cited by Racing Post, the closures represent between 9% and 15% of Evoke’s total betting shop […]

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Evoke, the parent company of William Hill, 888, and Mr Green, has posted a positive post-close trading update for the six months ending 30 June 2025, showing solid momentum across both online and retail channels. The group reported a 5% increase in revenue for Q2, bringing first-half revenue growth to 3% year-on-year. Retail revival and online strength propel Evoke’s first-half gains: The improvement was primarily fueled by online gaming, which grew by approximately 6% during the second quarter. Retail operations, which had previously lagged, also made a notable return to […]

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One of the most successful betting and gaming companies in the world, 888 Holding Plc, is selling its Latvian operations. Famous brands owned by 888, WilliamHill.lv, and MrGreen.lv will be acquired by Paf Consulting Abp. The agreement was signed on May 19th. The workflow remains intact: Paf Consulting Abp, the famous Nordic game company, will acquire 888’s Latvian operations, which will be sold for €28.25 million. The initial payment will be €24 million worth, with additional earn-out, which could cost […]

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