UK betting firm Evoke's second-quarter revenue rises on expansion plans
The company, which owns and operates brands like William Hill and 888, has doubled down on expansion plans, including rolling out 5,000 new gaming cabinets, even as the industry faces stricter sector-wide regulations in the United Kingdom.
Evoke's retail segment returned to growth in the reported quarter, countering the softer performance of its sports segment, which had benefitted from the Euros championship last year.
The firm forecast half-year core profits in the range of 163 million-167 million pounds ($219.6 million-$225 million), a 43% year-on-year jump at the mid-point.
Evoke reaffirmed its full-year revenue and profit guidance, with analysts at Jefferies and Peel Hunt expecting profit to come in ahead of their estimates.
($1 = 0.7423 pounds)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News
20 minutes ago
- Sky News
Lionesses praised after winning Women's Euros - with bus parade confirmed this week
England fans across the country have heaped praise on the team after winning Euro 2025, with a bus parade celebration set for Tuesday. Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses took home their second Euros trophy in consecutive tournaments after beating Spain 3-1 on penalties in the final. Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot-kick following two huge saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, after Alessia Russo scored an equaliser to send the game to a shootout. 2:21 After England win, it was announced that an open-top bus parade will be held in London on Tuesday along The Mall, which will start at 12.10pm. The celebrations will culminate in a stage ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace at approximately 12.30pm Fans can attend for free, and Sky News will broadcast it live. 'You've made the nation proud' - Starmer Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was among the millions congratulating the Lionesses, posting on social media to praise the champions "What a team. What a game. What drama," he said. "You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers." The roof almost came off the Manchester clubhouse where Ella Toone started her journey Greg Milam Chief North of England correspondent @GregMilamSky Nowhere was the roar for the Lionesses louder than in the Astley and Tyldesley Miners Welfare club on the outskirts of Manchester. The club where a five-year-old Ella Toone started her journey to England stardom, like so many places across the country, hosted nail-biting, table-thumping and, ultimately, deafening watch parties. The roof almost came off the clubhouse when Chloe Kelly's winning penalty went in. Red bucket hats emblazoned with Toone's now-famous 'Buzzing My Head Off' catchphrase were thrown in the air. "Absolutely ecstatic," said Lorraine Warwick-Ellis, who runs the pathway development for women and girls at the club. "I was very nervous, very worried about penalties but we did it in the end." The success of the Lionesses has driven a huge boom in the popularity of women's and girls football in recent years. She hopes this win will have a similar effect. "I hope it cements the girls who are already here, keeps them engaged, and I hope it brings more girls down who want to be footballers and see that it's open for everybody." It had been a pretty sombre watch for much of the game after Spain took the lead - but it erupted into life after Alessia Russo's equaliser. The shootout was the usual emotional rollercoaster but young fans seem to have greater faith in the Lionesses. Among the jubilant teenagers celebrating in the clubhouse were two who have followed Toone's path to academies at professional clubs. "It's unbelievable, they're amazing, Chloe Kelly, I just don't know what to say about her," said Natasha Greenhouse. "We knew if it went to penalties that they'd do it." Tamsin Gallagher said: "They've done it the hard way all the way through the Euros but we all believed in them. Come on England." The party in Manchester and around the country and only just begun. 16:49 Prince William and Princess Charlotte, who were in attendance at St Jakob-Park in Basel, added on social media: "What a game! "Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment England." King hails Lionesses... and calls for World Cup In a post on the official Royal Family account on X, King Charles also sent his "most heartfelt congratulations on winning the Euros 2025" to the Lionesses. "For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant 'football's coming home'," he said. "As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true. "For this, you have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration. More than that, though, you have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms." The monarch ended his statement by saying "the next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!" Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy added: "What an absolutely extraordinary achievement by our Lionesses - once again they have made history and united the country with pride and joy."
Daily Mail
20 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
John Swinney is accused of 'grandstanding' after holding private talks with top European official
John Swinney has been accused of 'grandstanding' on issues outside his remit during private talks with a top European official who was in Scotland to meet Donald Trump. The First Minister met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Glasgow. The talks happened on Saturday evening without any media being alerted about the meeting, with officials disclosing yesterday that 'the UK's relationship with the European Union ' was discussed, as well as the current situation in Gaza and Ukraine, and Scotland's 'important partnership' with Europe. International relations are reserved to Westminster and Scottish ministers are supposed to stick to devolved areas when holding talks with overseas political leaders. The Scottish Government last night confirmed that no officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) were present despite the First Minister's discussions covering foreign affairs. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: 'John Swinney may enjoy meeting international leaders and grandstanding about issues outwith the SNP 's remit. 'But most Scots would prefer him to reduce taxes, put businesses on an equal footing with firms in other parts of the UK, and repair the damage his government has inflicted on essential services like our schools and NHS.' Mr Swinney met Ms von der Leyen on Saturday after she arrived in Scotland to hold talks about an EU/US trade deal with President Trump at his Turnberry resort in Ayrshire. Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet the President to discuss issues including a ceasefire in Gaza and the UK's trade deal with the US today at the same venue. Mr Swinney is also due to hold talks with the President during his four-night stay in Scotland. Labour peer Lord George Foulkes said Mr Swinney's discussions with Ms von der Leyen about reserved issues are a 'huge concern'. He said: 'He is interfering in areas which they [the Scottish Government] do not have responsibility. They don't know the sensitivities, they don't have the advice of the FCDO and MOD specialists, so they are not advised properly and they cause confusion if they give different messages from the UK Government. 'On all those reserved areas, the UK Government speaks for Scotland just as much as the rest of the UK. This is them pretending to be independent, which is a total nonsense.' He also raised concerns that Mr Swinney could cause further confusion during his planned talks with Mr Trump. Lord Foulkes said: 'There could be a confusion of the message to Ursula von der Leyen and indeed to Trump. 'He is going to talk about trade to President Trump. Trade is a reserved area. It's an absolute nonsense and perpetuates the myth that Scotland is somehow different to the rest of the UK.' Mr Swinney last night confirmed he will raise 'global humanitarian issues' which are 'at the forefront of many people's minds' with the President. He said: 'It is of utmost importance that we discuss what action can be taken to end the horrific suffering we are witnessing around the world, particularly the unimaginable hardship being endured by people in Gaza and the need for an urgent ceasefire.' Humza Yousaf, Mr Swinney's predecessor, sparked a row with the previous Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron after holding private talks about Gaza with the president of Turkey without UK Government representatives in attendance. Protocols require FCDO officials to attend meetings between representatives of the devolved administrations and representatives of foreign governments. After Mr Yousaf's talks with Mr Erdogan, Lord Cameron threatened to throw Scottish Government officials out of overseas Foreign Office premises if there are any more breaches of the protocol. The Scottish Government said FCDO officials 'assisted in facilitating' the meeting between Mr Swinney and Ms von der Leyen. Sir Keir will meet the US Trump for a formal bilateral meeting this afternoon. Afterwards, they are due to travel for a 'private engagement' at Mr Trump's other Scottish venue on the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire, which is expected to include dinner. Details of the Menie engagement have been kept under wraps and Downing Street was unable to confirm if the Prime Minister will take part in a round of golf. Sir Keir will risk a major clash with Mr Trump by raising Gaza. Last week, Mr Trump said Hamas 'didn't really want to make a deal' on a new Gaza ceasefire deal. A Number 10 spokesman said: 'The leaders are expected to talk about advancing implementation of the landmark Economic Prosperity Deal so that Brits and Americans can benefit from boosted trade links between their two countries. 'The Prime Minister is also expected to welcome the President's administration working with partners in Qatar and Egypt to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza. 'He will discuss further with him what more can be done to secure the ceasefire urgently, bring an end to the unspeakable suffering and starvation in Gaza and free the hostages who have been held so cruelly for so long.' Sir Keir is hoping to use the talks to display the strength of the UK/US relationship. It comes ahead of the President's State visit to the UK in September.
Reuters
20 minutes ago
- Reuters
Wiegman hails most chaotic tournament ever
BASEL, Switzerland, July 27 (Reuters) - Sarina Wiegman broke into a celebratory dance when Chloe Kelly struck the winning penalty in Sunday's shootout to help England clinch a second consecutive Women's Euros title, capping a wild ride that the coach called the most chaotic tournament ever. The 55-year-old, who is under contract with England through 2027, had already made history by becoming the first football manager to coach in five consecutive major tournament finals. Euro 2025 proved to be a roller-coaster of emotions for Wiegman, with England fighting back to win all three knockout games in extra time or a shootout, including the final in which they beat world champions Spain 3-1 on penalties after the match ended in a 1-1 draw. "This has been the most chaotic tournament, from the first game there was chaos … turns out we love football chaos!" a jubilant Wiegman said. Asked how she plans to celebrate, she said: "Maybe with some more dancing. I might have a drink but I will not be drinking as much as the players." Wiegman's players had raved about her motivational speeches throughout the tournament, and she must have delivered another memorable one on Sunday. "The main message was enjoy it," said Wiegman, who completed a hat-trick of Euro triumphs on Sunday having also guided her native Netherlands to the 2017 title. "We've got so far now in this tournament. I think we all created something again together. So these are the moments where you dream of, well some couldn't even dream of because it wasn't possible when they were little kids. "But go out there and enjoy it and play your very best game." There was controversy in the weeks leading up to the tournament after Euro 2022 winning goalkeeper Mary Earps announced her international retirement. She had recently lost her starting job to Hannah Hampton. But Hampton was brilliant in Switzerland, including in the two shootouts and was named player of the match on Sunday after saving two penalties from Spanish players and making several other key saves. "Every player has their one story and journey and hers has been incredible," Wiegman said. "Starting the tournament and losing the first game, there was so much riding on every game, we had five finals. She had to step up and I think she has been amazing. "It's a little bit like a fairytale to stop those two penalties (during the shootout) in the final." England lost their opening game to France, but preached about confidence and not giving up since that night, and their tournament was a remarkable show of resilience. They led for a total of just four minutes through their three knockout matches. "It's been incredible," Wiegman said. "Around in the camp, the training sessions, everything about the team was very calm. "Just the games were chaotic and very close and tight and we were behind in a lot of games. We lost the first game, but then afterwards it was all very calm." Michelle Agyemang, the 19-year-old who scored late goals in the quarter-final and semi-final, won the Young Player of the Tournament award.
