Bally’s Intralot shareholders approved a key step in the proposed £243.1 million acquisition of evoke, the Gibraltar-incorporated parent of William Hill and 888. The vote took place at a general meeting on September 17, 2026.

The result, announced on September 18, authorised the share capital increase required for the all-share transaction. The voting breakdown was:

  • 99.585% of valid votes supported the resolution.
  • 0.415% opposed it.

Investegate published the results of the meeting.

The deal still needs court approval

The approval satisfies one condition for the scheme of arrangement under Part VIII of the Gibraltar Companies Act 2014. evoke shareholders approved the transaction in August, including resolutions needed to implement the deal.

The companies said several antitrust and regulatory conditions have also been satisfied. A court hearing to sanction the scheme is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026 or the first quarter of 2027.

The shareholder vote is a major corporate milestone, but it does not complete the acquisition.

The transaction would take effect only if the court approves the scheme and the remaining conditions are met.

The offer values evoke at 52 pence per share, or about £243.1 million, according to deal terms reported by SBC News. If completed, the transaction is expected to take evoke off the London Stock Exchange.

What changes for Great Britain

evoke’s brands have a direct presence in the British betting market. The UK Gambling Commission’s public register lists William Hill Organization Limited as holding active remote and non-remote gambling licences. They cover online betting, gambling software and retail operations.

The shareholder vote does not itself transfer or renew those licences. Under Gambling Commission guidance, a licensed operator must notify the regulator when a new controller takes control.

The operator must then surrender the licence or apply for it to continue within five weeks of the change. The Commission can request information on the ownership structure, management, funding and business plans before deciding whether an operating licence should continue.

That process will be a key Great Britain regulatory checkpoint if the acquisition closes. It could affect the timing and conditions under which the combined business operates in the market.

Pressure on evoke

The transaction comes as evoke faces higher operating costs and pressure across the British gambling market. The company began a strategic review in late 2025 after the government announced higher online gambling taxes.

William Hill has also been reducing its retail estate, according to SBC News. The proposed acquisition would combine evoke’s consumer brands with Bally’s Intralot, formed through the 2025 combination of Bally’s Corporation and Intralot.

The final outcome now depends on the remaining legal, regulatory and court stages, not on the shareholder votes alone.