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Rules and licensingBallys Intralot takeover of William Hill parent moves closer
Shareholders overwhelmingly voted to approve the acquisition of evoke by Ballys Intralot.
Written by the BettingEdgeHub desk, 18 September 2026
The buyout of evoke by Ballys Intralot reached another milestone after shareholders backed the plan. Investors at the Athens listed company voted in favour of the deal at an annual general meeting. A massive majority of votes supported the transaction, mirroring earlier approval from evoke investors.
Regulatory hurdles remain ahead
The completion of the deal now depends on final regulatory approvals and a court sanction hearing. Company leaders expect the process to finish by late next year or early the following year. Once finalised, evoke will be delisted from the London Stock Exchange and removed from its current indices.
Tax changes sparked the sale
Evoke started looking for a buyer after the UK government announced higher online gambling taxes. A significant increase in Remote Gaming Duty hurt profit margins and forced the closure of numerous betting shops. The company hopes joining forces with Ballys Intralot will secure its future during a difficult period for the British betting sector.
Debt concerns surround the deal
Both businesses carry substantial debt loads following years of expansion and market changes. Evoke reported high figures in its financial statements, while the acquiring firm also deals with significant liabilities. Despite these financial burdens, company leadership remains confident that the merger strategy will succeed.
Punters using William Hill should not notice immediate changes while the corporate buyout moves through regulatory channels.