The UK gambling taxes debate is heating up again, and evoke has come out strongly in response. The operator says the latest Budget will reshape the market and hit the industry hard. As evoke puts it, the UK gambling taxes shift threatens jobs, investment and player protection.

• Evoke says the rise in Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40% will push the UK market into a tougher operating environment. The company paid GBP 329m (ca. EUR 375m) in UK taxes in 2024, equal to more than 60% of its UK profits. It argues that steeper duties will drive more consumers to unlicensed sites.

• A new 25% online sports betting duty, replacing the 15% General Betting Duty, is scheduled for April 2027. Evoke believes this will add further pressure on margins across UK digital sports betting. The Group says the higher taxes will increase product prices and shift players to the black-market.

• Evoke estimates the combined duty changes will add around GBP 125m – GBP 135m (ca. EUR 143m – EUR 154m) in annual costs once fully implemented. Around GBP 80m (ca. EUR 91m) of that impact is expected to hit in FY26 due to the phased timetable. The company says the UK gambling taxes burden leaves less commercial justification to invest locally.

• The Group plans to offset roughly 50% of the tax impact through supplier cuts, lower marketing spend and operational savings. These steps include potential retail store closures and adjustments to customer propositions. Evoke says larger operators may cope better, with smaller brands likely forced out.

• Evoke has withdrawn its medium-term financial targets while reassessing UK investment plans. CEO Per Widerström said the Government’s approach is “ill-thought-through, counterproductive, and highly damaging”. He warned the measures will lead to job losses and reduce overall tax paid as play migrates offshore.

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