\n Posted on: April 30, 2026, 05:38h.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n
\n Last updated on: May 1, 2026, 04:32h.\n <\/p>\n
![\"Avatar](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/my-headshot-50x50.jpeg\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n- \n
- Revenue & Profit: Group revenue increased by 2%, while adjusted EBITDA grew by 14%.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Confirmed the closure of 230 William Hill retail locations to optimize the footprint.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Management is shifting focus to digital growth and cost efficiencies to counter regulatory headwinds.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Evoke CEO Per Widerstr\u00f6m stated the company remains committed to shareholder value and long-term sustainability despite reporting a 149% increase in losses for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Evoke-William-Hill-888-858x572.jpeg\")
Evoke releases its FY 2025 financial results, highlighted by a 149% increase in losses. (Image: Jakub Porzycki\/NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Company Highlights EBITBA Increase<\/h2>\n
Evoke is a UK-based betting and gaming company that owns brands like William Hill, 888 and Mr Green.<\/p>\n
Group revenue rose 2% to \u00a31.78 billion, driven by a strong online gaming performance and solid momentum through Q4. Adjusted EBITDA increased 14% to \u00a3356 million, with margins reaching 20%.<\/p>\n
The company attributed the higher margins to more efficient promotional and marketing expenditures, combined with ongoing cost efficiencies and disciplined investment.<\/p>\n
Addressing the EBITDA gains, Widerstr\u00f6m noted that over the past two years, the company has simplified its organizational structure, strengthened accountability, and embedded a sharper focus on customer value and ROI.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe progress in 2025 demonstrates that this reset is working,\u201d he said. \u201cThe business today is structured, more efficient, more focused and better positioned to respond to external change than it was at the beginning of this transformation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The financial report revealed that the company\u2019s net loss jumped to \u00a3549.1 million in FY 2025, compared with a \u00a3220.9 million loss in FY 2024.<\/p>\n
International Online Performance Strong<\/h2>\n
\u201cThroughout 2025 we delivered consistent operational progress resulting in a more efficient, focused and disciplined business delivering improved marketing returns, stronger cost control, enhanced operating leverage, and a step-change in underlying profitability,\u201d said Widerstr\u00f6m.<\/p>\n
Widerstr\u00f6m pointed to the double-digit increase in EBITDA as a sign the company is deleveraging and focused on growth after years of decline in terms of profitability and revenue.<\/p>\n
United Kingdom and Ireland online revenue was down 3% year over year, caused by a 12% decline in sports betting revenue on fixed or flat stakes.<\/p>\n
Bally\u2019s Intralot Rumours<\/h2>\n
International online revenue increased 9% with 17% growth across international core markets, driven by market share gains and record revenues in\u00a0Italy\u00a0and\u00a0Denmark. That was coupled with the Winner acquisition in\u00a0Romania, offset by its U.S. B2C exit at the end of 2024 and focus on profitability in rest of world markets.<\/p>\n
UK retail revenue was down 1%, with gaming up 5% with market share gains following the successful rollout of new gaming machines across the estate, offset by sports -5%.<\/p>\n
Evoke CFO Sean Wilkins told analysts the company has not yet seen any impact from the government\u2019s recent tax hike<\/a>.<\/p>\n
In November, UK Financial Minister Rachel Reeves announced a tax increase on online games and slots to 40%, up from 21%, effective this month, and an increased tax on sports betting from 15% to 25%, effective April 2027.<\/p>\n
Impact of Tax Hikes<\/h2>\n
Wilkins said the tax hikes will negatively impact smaller operators disproportionately higher, leading to market consolidation, and will improve the company\u2019s market share.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the first 30 days the truth is we haven\u2019t seen any impact to date, and we are pleased with the way UK, particularly UK online, is performing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In terms of retail, the company confirmed it was closing 230 William Hill stores after a review of their retail estate, which \u201cwill deliver significantly improved retail profitability and enhance long-term sustainability,\u201d the company said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Profitable Growth<\/h2>\n
Sixty-eight of those stores closed in Q4 2025, with the balance to be closed in Q2 2026, which will add $11 million to EBITDA on a fully annualized basis, Wilkins said. He added over 1,000 shops are still open and providing service to customers.<\/p>\n
Last week it was reported that the debt-laden company, as part of an ongoing strategic review, was weighing a 225.3 million pound takeover by from Greek lottery and gaming firm Bally\u2019s Intralot. News of those talks April 20 sent share prices up nearly 16%.<\/p>\n
Store Closures<\/h2>\n
- Confirmed the closure of 230 William Hill retail locations to optimize the footprint.<\/strong><\/li>\n