Labour tax raid cripples William Hill with more than one in five of its betting shops closing in the past year
William Hill closed 21.4% of its shops after Labour's gambling tax hikes, causing £46m losses and a £243m takeover by Bally's Intralot.Summary
William Hill, owned by Evoke, closed 278 betting shops (21.4%) in the past year due to Labour's tax increases on remote gaming duty (21% to 40%) and online sports betting levy (15% to 25%). This led to £46m extra gambling taxes in the first half of 2026 and £80m losses. The closures, including 200 in May, align with Betting and Gaming Council data showing 540 shop closures and 4,500 job losses since the Budget. Shadow culture minister Louie French criticized Labour's policies, warning of illegal gambling market growth. Bally's Intralot's £243m takeover is expected to complete in late 2026 or early 2027, amid Evoke's £1.9bn net debt and 5.6x leverage. Revenue remained flat at £887.5m, with retail revenue down 2.6% due to closures but online revenue up 4%.
(Source：Mail Online)