William Hill to Close 200 Betting Shops in the UK Amid Rising Taxes

^{William Hill betting shop / © Shutterstock}

UK bookmaker William Hill, part of Evoke, will close around 200 betting shops from May 24, NEXT.io reported, citing company sources. The move comes amid rising tax pressure on the UK gambling sector.

Employees were informed of the planned redundancies on March 31, according to the outlet. The closures will affect about 14.3% of the operator’s retail estate, which comprises roughly 1,400 locations.

The company confirmed plans to optimise its retail network. An Evoke spokesperson said the decision was driven by higher costs, including taxes. The company added it would focus on its most efficient retail locations and provide support to affected staff.

The closures come as Evoke faces financial challenges. The company’s debt stands at about £1.8 billion (approximately $2.4 billion), and in December 2025 it launched a strategic review to assess its assets and potential options for sale or restructuring.

According to NEXT.io, a partial sale of the business is under consideration. Potential buyers reportedly include Bally’s Corporation, Intralot, and Betfred. Sources cited by the outlet said the process is nearing completion, and the shop closures may be linked to it.

Additional pressure comes from tax increases, with the rate rising from 21% to 40% from April 1.

Gambling Park previously reported a major system error that led to players being mistakenly credited with winnings worth millions of pounds at William Hill.