Investors in Evoke took fright after the William Hill owner reported lower revenues than expected, announced shop closures and withheld forward guidance as it continues to look at a possible sale of the group.
Evoke, formerly 888 Holdings, is working through a strategic review that it launched in December after warning of a £135 million [$187 million] hit from the chancellor’s tax changes to online gambling in November’s budget. A potential sale or breakup of the business are being explored.
Gambling companies including Betfred and Bally’s, the casino operator, are reported to have been considering potential deals for Evoke’s retail estate…
Per Widerström, chief executive, said the company had moved “quickly and decisively” to offset the impact of the higher taxes, including closing a number of its 1,300 high street betting shops.
