Gaming and betting giant evoke has published its latest trading update, highlighting a single-digit decrease in revenue for the third quarter of the year. This comes shortly after the company streamlined its business in the UK due to the negative impact of higher taxes.
Evoke’s Business Was Impacted by Customer-Friendly Sports Results
In its official report, evoke, which operates brands, such as William Hill, 888, and Mr Green, announced that its group revenue for Q3 2026 was GBP 406 million ($543 million), down 7% on a reported basis or 2% on a like-for-like constant currency.
This figure excludes the impact of evoke’s recent shop closures. For reference, the company recently closed 270 shops because of the United Kingdom’s unfavorable tax regime.
In the meantime, evoke also recorded particularly customer-friendly sports results in Q3, which also impacted its revenue figure.
In addition to reporting its revenue for Q3, evoke’s trading update also highlighted the fact that the company’s acquisition by Bally’s Intralot “remains on track.” The former company’s shareholders recently greenlit the agreement. At the same time, the companies have also secured the majority of the required regulatory approvals, meaning that the deal is progressing at a steady pace.
Evoke added that it expects to fulfill the rest of the conditions in late Q4 2026 or early in the first quarter of 2027.
CEO Widerström Was Pleased with His Company’s Resilience
Evoke’s CEO, Per Widerström, released a statement, highlighting the continued resilience of his company.
On an underlying basis the business continues to show resilience and reflects our continued emphasis on profitability and cash generation following the substantial increases in gaming duties, particularly in the UK.
Per Widerström, CEO, evoke
Widerström added that the closure of 270 was an unfortunate result of the growing impact that higher industry taxation has on jobs and livelihoods. He used the opportunity to encourage the UK government to take this into account ahead of its forthcoming Autumn Budget and forgo further tax increases.
Despite the headwinds, the CEO remained optimistic about his company’s business and the upcoming acquisition by Bally’s Intralot.
We remain focused on disciplined execution and operational efficiency as we progress towards completion of the acquisition, which continues to progress as planned towards completing in late Q4 2026 or early Q1 2027.
Per Widerström, CEO, evoke
Speaking of evoke’s acquisition by Bally’s Intralot, investors previously highlighted cautious optimism about the transaction.