Evoke Considers Sale as UK Tax Hike Looms

Evoke, formerly known as 888, has initiated a strategic review of its business due to its continued business difficulties. Officials teased that a potential sale of the company could be on the table.

The Company Will Review Its Options

In a regulatory release on December 10, 2025, Evoke confirmed that its board of directors has decided to initiate a review of the company’s strategic options. The review will examine potential ways to reinforce the business and generate shareholder value.

In its official announcement, Evoke said that the review will include the consideration of a variety of value-generating alternatives. These include a potential sale of company assets and divisions, or, in a more extreme case, the whole company.

Evoke elaborated that it has onboarded the services of Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc and Rothschild & Co as its joint financial advisers for the review.

In any case, Evoke emphasized that no decision for any sale has been reached yet.

Shareholders are advised that there is no certainty that any transaction will materialise, nor as to the terms of any transaction.

Evoke statement

The company promised to make further announcements once more information is available.

Evoke Faces Trouble as UK Eyes Higher Taxes

As mentioned, Evoke’s strategic review comes at a somewhat difficult time for the company. In addition to struggling with the debt related to the William Hill acquisitions from a few years ago, Evoke is now facing significant trouble in the face of the United Kingdom’s gambling tax hike.

Despite firm opposition from the industry, the government has opted to drastically increase the gaming tax, potentially jeopardizing the businesses of some companies. While the latest version of the budget included no tax hike for the horseracing industry, the Betting and Gaming Council called the exemption superficial due to the fact that the budget would hurt sports betting, which is the very industry racing depends on.