William Hill, a prominent global betting operator owned by Evoke, will exit 13 markets beginning 2 December, marking a substantial retreat from regions where it has maintained long-term operations. Among the markets affected, 10 are located in Africa, including Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique, Cameroon, Angola, Burkina Faso, Somalia, the Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additional withdrawals include Bolivia, Nicaragua, Nepal, and Vietnam.
From 2 December, bettors in these territories will no longer be able to place wagers with William Hill. The company confirmed that all open bets will be settled as normal until the cut-off date, while wagers scheduled for settlement afterward will be voided and refunded. Customers will retain access to their accounts until 5 January, enabling them to withdraw any remaining funds. After this point, login functionality will be disabled, and players will need to contact customer support directly to process any outstanding withdrawals.
This withdrawal comes at a time when Evoke is evaluating potential closures across its UK retail operations due to anticipated tax increases in the forthcoming government budget. Up to 200 William Hill shops representing nearly 15 percent of its UK retail presence may face closure if higher tax measures are introduced. Such a development could impact approximately 1,500 jobs, highlighting ongoing structural pressures facing the operator.
Despite the withdrawal from several African markets, Evoke maintains its strategic presence on the continent through its stake in 888Africa, a joint venture focused on regulated online operations. The move signals a broader realignment of William Hill’s global footprint as the company navigates evolving regulatory conditions and reassesses market priorities.
