After participating in an eleventh-hour meeting with government officials over the introduction of affordability checks on punters, the director of corporate affairs at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has warned that concerns over the controversial scheme are being ‘brushed off’. Greg Swift, a senior figure at the sport’s regulatory body, told a podcast that the […]
Business
William Hill Owner Blasts UK Government as 270 Shop Closures Confirmed
William Hill owner Evoke published their annual financial report for 2025 this week. It was a mixed bag of results, with a 2% year on year increase in total revenue. However, shrinkage in online sports betting profitability, as well as a downturn in UK retail profits, are a considerable cause for concern. As, of course, […]
Black Market Operators to Spend £1 Billion on Advertising By 2028… As MPs Call for Gambling Ad Ban in Sport
A new research study estimates that black market betting firms will be spending as much as £1 billion on advertising in the UK by 2028 – more than the regulated sector. The findings, collated by the World Advertising Research Center (WARC), revealed that by October of this year, the total amount spend by gambling operators […]
Bally’s Plots £225m Takeover of Debt-Ridden William Hill Owner Evoke Group
The Evoke Group, whose brands include William Hill and 888, has opened takeover talks with the American-Greek gambling operator Bally’s Intralot. Although no formal bid has been made, Bally’s are said to have enquired about a possible offer that values Evoke at 50p a share – for an overall valuation of £225 million. Evoke, who […]
Ladbrokes to Close 39 Betting Shops in Ireland as Rumours Persist William Hill Could Shutter 240
It has been confirmed that Ladbrokes will permanently close 39 of their betting shops in Ireland as part of a cost cutting exercise that could see more than 200 jobs lost. Meanwhile, rumours are emerging that William Hill have staff have been informed that as many as 240 of their shops could be closed across […]