Greek lottery and gaming company Intralot has agreed to acquire British bookmaker Evoke in an all-share transaction valued at approximately £243 million ($326 million), a move that sent
Evoke's shares sharply higher on Friday.
Under the terms of the deal, Intralot is offering 52 pence per share for Evoke, representing a 33.8% premium to the company's closing share price before it confirmed takeover discussions. The offer values the owner of William Hill UK and the 888 casino brand at around £243 million.
Evoke's board has unanimously recommended the acquisition to shareholders. Following the announcement, the company's shares climbed as much as 14% to 45.8 pence in early trading, reaching their highest level since October 2025.
The takeover comes as Evoke faces mounting financial pressures. The London-listed gambling group launched a strategic review in December after warning that planned UK gambling tax increases would raise operating costs and force it to withdraw its medium-term financial targets. Earlier this year, the company also announced plans to close around 200 betting shops across the United Kingdom as part of cost-cutting measures.
Formerly known as 888 Holdings, Evoke has struggled with a heavy debt burden since acquiring William Hill's UK business from Caesars Entertainment in a £2.2 billion deal completed in 2022. The company's net debt stood at approximately £1.86 billion at the end of 2025.
The acquisition by Intralot marks a significant consolidation move in the gaming sector and offers Evoke a potential path to strengthen its financial position amid a challenging regulatory and economic environment. Photo by Malcolmxl5, Wikimedia commons.
