Date: April 2, 2026
Category: Retail & Finance
Summary:
Evoke Plc, the parent company of the William Hill betting chain, has announced plans to close approximately 200 of its UK retail shops starting in May 2026. The decision is a direct response to a significant increase in the UK’s gambling duty tax, which is projected to add up to £135 million in annual costs to the company. The closures highlight the severe pressure on the traditional brick-and-mortar betting sector, as operators struggle to maintain profitability amid rising regulatory costs and a shift in consumer preference towards digital platforms. The move is part of a broader cost-cutting strategy that puts hundreds of jobs at risk and signals a continued contraction of the high-street gambling landscape in Britain .
