Evoke posts 7% revenue fall in Q3 2026 as UK shop estate shrinks

Revenue was down 2% like-for-like and broadly stable on a normalised basis, with the Bally’s Intralot takeover still expected to complete in late 2026 or early 2027.

Evoke plc, the owner of William Hill, 888, and Mr Green, has reported a 7% fall in third-quarter revenue and urged the UK Government to carefully consider any further gambling tax increases at the 28 October Autumn Budget.

Evoke Q3 2026 revenue and retail estate

Group revenue for the three months ended 30 September 2026 was £406 million, according to the company’s Q3 2026 trading update, published on 23 October. That was a decrease of 7% on a reported basis, or 2% on a like-for-like constant currency basis, which excludes the impact of approximately 270 fewer retail shops than in the prior-year period.

Evoke said particularly customer-friendly sports results at the start of the football season were a headwind of approximately one to two percentage points to year-on-year group revenue growth. On a normalised basis, which adjusts for closed stores and expected sports margins, revenue was broadly stable.

The figures are unaudited. The update did not include profit, EBITDA, or divisional revenue.

The quarter follows a first half in which Evoke reported flat group revenue of £887.5 million, up 2% on a like-for-like basis.

UK gambling duties and the Autumn Budget

Under changes confirmed in HM Treasury’s response on the tax treatment of remote gambling, Remote Gaming Duty rose from 21% to 40% in April 2026, and a new 25% rate for remote betting takes effect in April 2027.

In its 2025 post-close trading update in January, Evoke said it was executing mitigation plans that included the closure of retail stores that were no longer sustainable, as well as broader cost savings.

Per Widerström, chief executive officer of Evoke, said:

‘The closure of 270 shops over the past year shows the real impact on jobs and livelihoods from higher industry taxation, and we urge the UK Government to carefully consider any further increases ahead of its forthcoming Autumn Budget.’

Chancellor John Healey will deliver the Budget on 28 October 2026.

Bally’s Intralot acquisition

Evoke said its recommended acquisition by Bally’s Intralot S.A. remains on track. Shareholders of both companies have passed the required resolutions, and the majority of the required regulatory approvals have been received.

Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the remaining conditions, completion is expected late in the fourth quarter of 2026 or early in the first quarter of 2027. Widerström said the company remains focused on disciplined execution and operational efficiency as it moves towards completion.

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