Evoke, the company that owns William Hill and the 888 online casino brand, has agreed to be taken over by the Greek casino and lottery operator Bally’s Intralot in a deal valued at about £243m. Multiple outlets report the transaction is priced at 52 pence per share. The agreement follows two months of discussions between Evoke and Bally’s Intralot, which operates internationally, including in the United States.
Financial Times reports that Evoke put itself up for sale after it took a hit from steep UK tax rises, which are linked to pressure on the company’s position. The Independent and Belfast Telegraph both describe the agreed offer size as roughly £243.1m, with the per-share figure of 52p. The Guardian adds that Bally’s Intralot is Athens-listed and highlights its broader international footprint.
Overall, the reporting is consistent that Evoke has reached agreement to sell the William Hill and 888 businesses to Bally’s Intralot at the stated valuation, after a period of talks driven by UK tax-related challenges.
