Evoke quarterly revenue falls 7% as takeover by Bally's Intralot nears

Evoke PLC on Friday reported a decline in third-quarter revenue, reflecting the closure of hundreds of betting shops and unfavourable sporting results, while saying its acquisition by Bally's Intralot SA remains on track.

The Gibraltar-based betting and gaming operator, which owns William Hill, 888 and Mr Green, said revenue fell 7% annually to £406 million in the three months that ended September 30.

On a like-for-like, constant-currency basis, excluding the impact of about 270 fewer retail shops than a year earlier, revenue was down 2%.

Evoke said particularly customer-friendly sporting results at the start of the football season this year reduced annual revenue growth by about one to two percentage points, meaning revenue was broadly stable on a normalised basis.

Chief Executive Officer Per Widerstrom said: "On an underlying basis the business continues to show resilience and reflects our continued emphasis on profitability and cash generation following the substantial increases in gaming duties, particularly in the UK."

He added that closing 270 shops over the past year showed the impact of higher industry taxation on employment, urging the UK government to consider the consequences of further increases ahead of the Autumn budget on Wednesday next week.

Evoke said its agreed acquisition by Bally's Intralot SA remains on track, with shareholders of both companies having approved the necessary resolutions and most regulatory approvals now secured.

Completion is expected in late 2026 or early 2027, subject to the remaining conditions being satisfied or waived.

Widerstrom said Evoke remains focused on operating efficiency and disciplined execution as it works towards completing the transaction.

Evoke shares were up 0.5% at 42.30 pence in London on Friday morning.

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