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Overview
William Hill offers sports betting, casino games, and other gambling services through both its network of physical betting shops and its online platforms, including a website and mobile apps. Customers place bets on sports events or gamble on casino-style games; the platform provides odds, accepts wagers, processes payments, and determines results. The company combines retail presence with online and mobile betting to reach a wide audience. It differentiates itself through a long history in betting, a broad multi-channel footprint, and its integration into Caesars Entertainment, which helps expand its global reach and digital capabilities. The goal is to be a leading global bookmaker by growing its market share across online and retail channels while promoting responsible gambling and complying with regulations.
About William Hill
Industries
Consumer Software
Entertainment
Gaming
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
Acquired
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Founded
1934
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Bally’s Intralot agreed a £243 million takeover on 5 June 2026.
- Private lenders committed about £889 million to refinance Evoke’s debt.
- Gaming Corps launched across William Hill in July 2026, expanding content and engagement.
What critics are saying
- Evoke will close about 270 William Hill shops in 2026, cutting jobs.
- Heavy debt hit £1.86 billion in 2025, forcing takeover talks and refinancing.
- UK tax hikes crushed 2025 losses to £549.1 million, threatening permanent margin erosion.
What makes William Hill unique
- William Hill still carries a 1934 UK betting brand built for retail trust.
- Its omni-channel reach spans roughly 1,300 UK shops plus established online gaming.
- Evoke’s 2026 takeover talks show William Hill remains a prized regulated distribution asset.
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Funding
Total Funding
$0
Below
Industry Average
Funded Over
1 Rounds
Benefits
Paid Vacation
Flexible Work Hours
Performance Bonus
Employee Discounts
Training Programs
Professional Development Budget
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↓ -1%1 year growth
↓ -1%2 year growth
↓ -1%UK government scraps 'aim to permit' rule to give councils gambling veto. Local councils across Great Britain are set to get far more power to block new gambling venues after the UK government moved to scrap the long-running "aim to permit" rule in premises licensing. For players, the practical impact is likely to be felt on the high street: councils would no longer be under a legal duty to approve a betting shop, adult gaming centre (AGC), or other gambling premises just because the application meets the baseline tests in law and regulator guidance. The change targets Section 153 of the Gambling Act 2005. Since 21 May 2007, that section has required local licensing authorities to "aim to permit" gambling as long as an application meets the Act's licensing objectives and relevant Gambling Commission codes of practice. In practice, that has meant councils could add conditions or refuse an application only where the operator demonstrably fell short of those criteria - not simply because residents objected to another betting shop or AGC opening nearby. The repeal lands only months after councils got a new tool in the opposite direction: Gambling Impact Assessments (GIAs). The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026 and inserted a new Section 153A into the Gambling Act 2005, creating GIAs as a statutory way for councils to consider the cumulative concentration of gambling premises in an area when deciding applications. At that point, "aim to permit" stayed on the statute book, and the UK government's position had previously been to rule out a review - a stance recorded in a Commons Library Research Briefing dated 18 May 2026 and tied to a 19 November 2025 answer given under then-prime minister Keir Starmer, who resigned on 20 July 2026. The political shift matters because the new prime minister, Andy Burnham, had spent the preceding year campaigning for the repeal while serving as Greater Manchester mayor and had been a signatory to a council coalition letter pressing for reform. Burnham and Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner framed the move as giving councils the ability to tackle what they described as high-street problems, with Burnham arguing venues were often open around the clock and "targeting some of the most vulnerable in our communities." The government's case has leaned heavily on AGCs - and the data shows why councils have focused there. Gambling Commission figures show betting shops in Great Britain fell from 8,320 in 2019 to 5,825 in 2025, close to a third decline in six years as the retail estate keeps shrinking. AGCs moved the other way, with 1,415 counted in 2025, and a Social Market Foundation (SMF) report published in October 2025 ("High Streets at Stake") found a 7% rise in AGC numbers between 2022 and 2024, with a third of all AGCs concentrated in the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in Great Britain. While the government has also announced an AGC-specific planning change, the "aim to permit" repeal itself is broader and would apply across the whole premises-licensing regime, including betting shops. Industry groups are pushing back on the idea that retail gambling is "unchecked" when the sector is already contracting. A Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) spokesperson said betting shops still support 37,500 jobs and provide footfall to neighbouring businesses, while also saying shop numbers have fallen by more than a third since 2019, with around 3,000 closures and over 15,000 jobs lost in retail gambling. On the other side, SMF deputy research director Jamie Gollings welcomed the move, arguing councils previously had "very little real say" over what opens in their areas and that the old rule allowed clustering in poorer locations regardless of local objection. The timing also collides with financial pressures that operators say are driving closures for reasons not limited to planning. Betfred confirmed in late July it would close 132 shops and cut more than 600 jobs, leaving it with around 1,100 shops, down from a peak of roughly 1,680 in 2017. CEO Joanne Whittaker cited a fiscal and regulatory environment that made it "impossible to keep trading all our shops," with an immediate trigger being Remote Gaming Duty rising from 21% to 40% on 1 April 2026; the duty rate on online sports betting is separately set to rise from 15% to 25% in 2027. Other closures cited include William Hill working to close around 200 branches, Paddy Power shutting 57 shops across the UK and Ireland, and Entain's Ladbrokes confirming 39 closures in the Republic of Ireland affecting 226 jobs alongside six further closures in Northern Ireland announced in the same statement. Against that backdrop, the new planning and licensing direction could complicate attempts by operators to pivot into machine-led venues. NEXT.io has reported (citing unnamed sources) that Betfred is exploring entry into the AGC sector and weighing converting some closing shops into similar sites, and also reported that Betfred is understood to have bought a small existing slot-arcade operation of up to seven venues to acquire relevant licences - though it said it was unable to independently verify that detail, and no formal plans have been announced. If such a pivot materialises, the newly announced tighter AGC planning rules would make scaling conversions harder, because each new site would need individual planning permission as standard rather than depending on local interpretation about whether a conversion requires permission. A fast-tracked consultation on the new measures is expected to run for six weeks, with the government aiming to have the changes in force from the start of 2027. The repeal is expected to apply across Great Britain - England, Wales, and Scotland - while Northern Ireland is unaffected because it is regulated separately under the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 and the Gambling Act 2005 has never applied there. Player angle: Rules that determine how easily new betting shops and slot arcades can open (or be blocked) can reshape where gambling is available in-person and which retail formats grow or disappear over time. 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Betfred to close 132 betting shops in the UK. Betfred will close 132 UK betting shops and cut 600 jobs as gambling taxes and costs continue to rise. Tldr. * Betfred will close 132 betting shops in the UK, putting around 600 jobs at risk. * The closures mark more than 10% of Betfred's total estate, leaving about 1,100 shops open. * Betfred blames higher National Insurance costs, wage inflation, and rising gambling taxes for the decision. * The UK government raised remote gaming duty from 21% to 40%, with online sports betting duty set to rise to 25% in 2027. * Rivals William Hill, Paddy Power, and Ladbrokes have also announced shop closures in recent months. Betfred has confirmed it will close 132 betting shops across the United Kingdom. The closures will begin in September and put around 600 jobs at risk. The company started a consultation process with staff on July 31. The closures represent just over 10% of Betfred's total shop count. Once the closures are complete, Betfred will run about 1,100 shops. That is down from around 1,680 shops at its peak in 2017. Betfred was founded in 1967 by brothers Fred and Peter Done. The company is based in Warrington and employs around 7,500 people. Why Betfred is closing shops. Betfred pointed to rising costs as the main reason for the closures. These include higher employer National Insurance contributions, wage inflation, and increased gambling taxes. Chief Executive Jo Whittaker said the company tried hard to protect all its sites. She said the combined pressure of these costs left the company with no other choice. Whittaker said the shops being closed are well run and staffed by committed employees. She said the company will now focus on supporting affected staff. Fred Done, whose family wealth is estimated at £3.61 billion, called the tax changes the biggest threat he has faced in nearly six decades in the industry. The UK government's autumn budget raised the remote gaming duty on online casino revenue from 21% to 40% in April 2026. A new online sports betting duty will rise from 15% to 25% in April 2027. Each betting shop contributes around £30,000 a year to horse racing through levy and media rights payments. The closure of 132 shops could cost the sport about £4 million a year. Other bookmakers face similar pressure. Betfred is not alone in cutting back. William Hill is working to close about 200 shops in the UK. Paddy Power announced last October that it would close 57 shops across the UK and Ireland. That move put around 250 jobs at risk. Ladbrokes has also closed shops across Ireland, affecting about 500 jobs. Evoke, the parent company of William Hill and 888, said in January it moved quickly to cut costs and close shops. While reducing its betting shop count, Betfred is reportedly looking at a shift toward Adult Gaming Centers, also known as slot arcades. Sources told NEXT.io that Betfred plans to convert some shops into these venues. Betfred has already acquired a small slot arcade operation with up to seven venues. This deal could give the company access to licenses needed to expand into this space. Slot arcades face their own regulatory challenges. Policy institutes have proposed raising the Machine Games Duty to 40%, which could limit growth in that sector. Betfred has not made final decisions on which shops will convert into slot arcades. The company's main focus for now remains supporting staff affected by the closures. Maisie is the News Editor at AlienWP, where she covers the latest developments in the global iGaming industry, including gambling regulation, online casinos, sports betting, licensing, compliance, and emerging industry trends. She has written extensively across the finance, cryptocurrency, and technology sectors for publications including MoneyCheck.com, Blockonomi.com, and Computing.net, bringing a clear, research-driven approach to breaking news and in-depth industry coverage. August 4, 2026
High street chain cutting more than 600 jobs as it shuts closes 132 shops. The company has launched a consultation over the proposed closures, which will affect more than a tenth of its shops. * Betfred plans to close 132 betting shops and cut more than 600 jobs from September, with the company blaming higher taxes and economic uncertainty. The closures will affect more than a tenth of its UK betting shops. * The Warrington-based gambling firm has launched a consultation over the proposed closures, which would leave it with around 1,100 shops across the UK. Betfred was founded by brothers Fred and Peter Done in 1967. * The Done brothers have an estimated combined wealth of £3.61 billion, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List. The pair have built Betfred into one of the UK's biggest betting shop operators. * Betfred chief executive Jo Whittaker said the company had tried to protect its shops and employees, but higher employer National Insurance contributions, wage inflation and gambling taxes had made that increasingly difficult. She said wider economic uncertainty had ultimately left the company with "no choice" but to consider closures. * Ms Whittaker said the affected shops were well-run and staffed by dedicated employees, adding that it was "incredibly hard" to see any of them close. She said Betfred's priority was now to support affected workers while continuing to serve customers and communities across its remaining shops. * Betfred is not the only gambling company reducing its high street presence, with rivals Paddy Power and William Hill also closing dozens of shops. The moves come as betting firms face rising costs and increased taxes. * William Hill and 888 owner Evoke said in January that it had moved quickly to offset changes to gambling taxes, including through shop closures and cost-cutting measures. The company said the changes announced in the Budget had created additional pressure on its retail operations. * Paddy Power announced plans last October to close 57 betting shops across the UK and Ireland, putting around 250 jobs at risk. The closures formed part of wider efforts by gambling firms to reduce costs. * The latest Betfred closures come after tax increases announced by the previous chancellor, which have increased the financial pressure on betting operators. One of the changes was a rise in remote gaming duty from 21% to 40%. * A new online sports betting duty of 25% is also due to come into force from 2027, covering sports betting other than horse racing. Betfred also pointed to higher National Insurance contributions and changes to thresholds as additional costs affecting its business. Follow liverpoolecho:
How wearable tech is changing the way UK punters follow live odds and place bets? Smartwatches can open doors, authorize payments, and filter calls and breaking news without calling up the phone from its pocket. This means that the wrist can be a spot for sports alerts in fast-paced games. But how far has wearable tech betting in the UK progressed? Watches can provide scores and notifications in 2026, but placing bets directly from the wrist is more futuristic than popular. Bet365 also enables the matching of a bet365 promo code before registration, and its UK app is available on iPhone, iPad and Android, with no mention of Apple Watch or Wear OS betting apps in its store listings. This also holds true for leading rivals Betfair, Sky Bet and William Hill. Wearables are transforming the way punters watch action; phones are still used to make wagers, deposits and Cash Out. The new frontier: from mobile apps to betting on your wrist. From desktop browser to mobile site, to mobile apps with biometrics, streaming, in-play betting markets and live bet tracking, online betting has come a long way. The following interface is smartwatch as it eliminates the friction between an event and an alert. A goal, red card and/or price change can be carried to the user as a vibration instead of unlocking a handset. The audience exists. According to a 2025 UK survey, 37% of Britons own and use a wearable device such as a smartwatch or fitness tracker, with Apple remaining the most popular smartwatch brand in the country. Ownership tends to skew younger, reflecting the broader demographic profile of early tech adopters. That's why bookmakers are working to optimize notifications and mobile widgets, despite the lack of dedicated sports betting apps for wearables. The advantages are speed, confidentiality and convenience. But, discretion involves checking information stealth-like, and not concealing gambling from family, employers or persons who will be affected by it. Wearables are best used as an additional layer of information on top of the regulated mobile account. What can you actually do? A breakdown of smartwatch betting features. The following are all that a realistic 2026 smartwatch setup can offer: * Mirrored notifications: Apple Watch can show notifications from an iPhone that are turned on, and Wear OS can show notifications from an Android device that are allowed. * Goals, cards, line-ups, intervals and final results can all be seen on the watch with score alerts in sports apps. * Prompt: Live-odds can be triggered by an alert from a bookmaker, but it needs to be verified in the phone app before you take action. * Bet status awareness: Alerts can be for account activity or settlement, depending on the bookmaker's offering. * Quick phone handoff: The watch will give the prompt, and the authenticated mobile application will give the complete market, bet slip and safer gambling controls. What's missing is more important. None of the big bookmakers in the UK promote one-tap wrist betting, native watch Cash Out, balance management or fancy bet building. Expect notification mirroring, rather than a sportsbook, when looking for a "bet on Galaxy Watch." Case study: the Bet365 experience on your watch. Searches are made for the phrase "bet365 Apple Watch app", but Bet365's July 2026 listing in the UK App Store shows that Bet365 is compatible with iPhone and iPad, not Apple Watch. The mobile side of its product is In-Play betting, Match Live, Bet Track, streaming, statistics, widgets and Dynamic Island updates for the supported iPhones. Now think about watching football in a pub. You get a vibration notification on your Apple Watch with a goal scored mirrored, or an app for live scores. You check out the score, then check the odds and market details on Bet365's iPhone app and either hold or pull out a current wager. The watch is not an alternative to mobile app authentication, context or controls. That's the same for Wear OS as well. Galaxy Watch can show allowed notifications from the cell phone, but in the UK, there isn't a confirmed sportsbook that's native to Bet365 that allows users to place bets directly. Convenience vs. caution: a balanced look at wearable betting. * Quick goal, card and match awareness * A reduction in multiple phone checks * Helpful tips for current wagers and chosen teams * Customisable alerts to help minimize unnecessary app activity * No full-featured bookmaker application on the top watches * The odds could be updated prior to the phone app opening * Context is lost in a small screen, in a complex market * Repetitive vibrations can lead to hasty judgment * Visible notifications can reveal sensitive information about accounts In the world of smartwatches, that's the reason why responsible gambling should be the top priority. Limit the bets, set reminders, reality checks or Time-Outs in the bookmaker application before turning on the alarms. Turn off the hype, do not make decisions based on vibration and never turn a wobbler into a wobbler. GambleAware's online support information is available and GamCare has the National Gambling Helpline open 24/7 on 0808 8020 133. Only adults (18 and older) may gamble. How to get started with betting on your smartwatch. * Check compatibility. Opt for a UK licensed bookmaker, but verify the bookmaker's store listing. Bet365 is a phone-first sportsbook and not one that is native to the watch. * Install and lock the mobile app. Set up or confirm the account, set spending limits and configure biometric login. * Pair the watch. Set the Apple Watch or Wear OS/Samsung companion to permit certain notifications from apps. * Customise alerts. Focus on placing wagers and updates about the chosen teams; deactivate promotional noise. * Make use of the telephone for transactions. Verify live odds, conditions, amounts and Cash Out values on the official cell phone display. If you are a new customer who has chosen Bet365, it is important to view the suitable welcome provide before you sign up and avoid missing its conditions. However, there is no way to increase the chances of winning with a promotion. The wise approach is to limit first, notifying second and any betting last.
Gaming Corps expands reach in the UK with multiple evoke brands. 3 min. read * Gaming Corps has expanded its presence in the United Kingdom, with three evoke brands * The partnership sees the studio's full range of games delivered locally with the new brands, boosting engagement * Among the featured titles are brand-new releases as well as the innovative and highly popular hybrid format Instant Blitz Gaming Corps has once again expanded its content footprint in the United Kingdom, with the Swedish supplier of titles signing a trio of brands in its latest push into the market, part of a deal with gaming behemoth evoke. Gaming Corps expands UK footprint, teams up with evoke. Commenting on the deal, evoke UK Gaming Content Manager, Lindsay Scholey, said: "Gaming Corps has a clear creative identity and a portfolio that offers something different across several game formats. Bass Rewards Bonanza: The Golden Catch gives us an eye-catching exclusive to open the partnership, and we are excited to see how players respond as we introduce more of the studio's content across our brands." Gaming Corps' titles have now been incorporated with Mr Green, 888 and William Hill, some of the best-known local brands, with the titles serving to further expand the supplier's own footprint in the market while leading to stronger engagement with local players. Among the titles now available are such options as Bass Rewards Bonanza: The Golden Catch, the Smash4Cash series, and the company's ambitious new format, Instant Blitz, which offers players even more worthwhile opportunities to explore a popular form of iGaming gameplay. Gaming Corps continues to build up presence in the North American market. Gaming Corps Chief Revenue Officer Adam Pentecost has welcomed the opportunity to see his company further expand with the company locally, and strengthen its presence in the market, bringing the studio's acclaimed titles. "We have worked hard to earn opportunities of this calibre, and our focus now is on making the most of it, delivering content that connects with players and building a relationship that can become an important part of our broader ambitions," Pentecost noted. Besides expanding with evoke in the United Kingdom, Gaming Corps has been quick to move in other jurisdictions as well, including in the newly-launched iGaming market in Alberta, where the studio launched with bet365. The studio also teamed up with Entain locally, giving itself a further boost in both the fresh jurisdiction as well as the North American market as a whole. 27 Jul 2026 3 min. read
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About William Hill
Industries
Consumer Software
Entertainment
Gaming
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
Acquired
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Founded
1934
William Hill is Hiring for 72 Jobs on Simplify!
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today