Evoke sees steady growth in online gaming in first half
The gambling operator’s overall revenue rose by 3 per cent year-over-year.
UK.- London-listed Evoke PLC, the former 888 Holdings, has hailed steady growth across both its online and retail segments during the first half of 2025. Revenue was up 3 per cent year-on-year, mainly thanks to a 6 per cent rise in online gaming revenue.
Retail revenue saw a return to growth boosted by upgrades at its 1,400 William Hill betting shops in the UK, where 5,000 new gaming machines were rolled out in March.
CEP Per Widerström said: “Q2 2025 marked our second strongest quarterly revenue performance since the beginning of 2023, a particularly encouraging result given the tough comparator from lapping the Euros.
“Importantly, this growth was also delivered profitably, in line with our focus on sustainable profitable growth, with H1 Adjusted EBITDA significantly ahead year-over-year, supporting our strong deleveraging trajectory in line with the value creation plan.”
The company forecasts adjusted EBITDA of over £360m for the full year, with revenue expected to be up by between 5 and 9 per cent in comparison with 2024. It’s targeting a minimum EBITDA margin of 20 per cent.
Widerström added: “Alongside the improved Q2 performance, we continue to transform the Group’s capabilities for the mid- and long-term. We are strengthening our competitive advantages and better aligning our leading brands and products to a clearer customer value proposition.
“Our disciplined strategy with clear focus on our Core Markets and driving operational excellence is delivering improved profitability and enabling further deleveraging. I look forward to sharing more detail on our progress and plans at our Interim Results in August.”
In May, Evoke announced the creation of a dedicated Technology Committee at the board level. The body will provide Board-level oversight of major technology investments and initiatives and alignment with business strategy, risk management, and operational effectiveness.
Non-executive director Susan Standiford chairs the committee while Limor Ganot and Ori Shaked serve as members. Standiford, who has been on the board at Evoke since November, has experience in tech as the former chief technology officer (CTO) of IKEA Retail and the global private markets firm StepStone.
