- Media
William Hill’s sudden retreat from Africa raises alarms over global strategy
The company confirmed this week that players in Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Vietnam, as well as Bolivia, Nicaragua and Nepal, will no longer be able to place bets on William Hill platforms from early December. The decision effectively ends years of expansion efforts in several fast-growing African markets that had been viewed as strategic frontiers for the online betting industry.
According to a notice published on its website, William Hill will settle all open wagers as normal until 2 December. Bets scheduled to conclude after that date will be voided and refunded in full. Customers will retain access to their accounts until 5 January to withdraw funds; however, login credentials will be deactivated from 6 January, after which any remaining balances will require direct contact with customer support. The operator did not specify whether local licensing or compliance factors contributed to the withdrawal, and no financial details were disclosed.
The retrenchment comes as Evoke reshapes its global priorities following its 2022 decision to license the 888 brand to 888Africa, a joint venture designed to serve regulated markets across the continent. Evoke maintains an equity stake in the venture, led by former Paddy Power competitive intelligence head Christopher Coyne. Former William Hill online managing director Andrew Lee serves as chief product officer. Analysts say the restructuring suggests Evoke may be concentrating its African ambitions under the 888 brand rather than operating parallel platforms.
Africa has been one of the fastest-growing online betting regions, driven by widespread mobile adoption and youthful demographics. But operators have encountered mounting regulatory scrutiny, inconsistent enforcement, and rising licensing costs.
1,500 William Hill jobs on the line
Markets such as Kenya and Nigeria, two of the countries William Hill is leaving, have imposed tax changes and compliance rules that have deterred several foreign operators in recent years. Industry research from H2 Gambling Capital shows that regulatory instability remains the primary barrier for international brands entering sub-Saharan markets.
The global retreat also coincides with domestic pressures in the United Kingdom, where Evoke has warned it might close as many as 200 William Hill retail shops if the government increases gambling duties in its upcoming budget on 27 November. Up to 15% of the bookmaker’s UK store network could be at risk, putting roughly 1,500 jobs in jeopardy. The company said it is running contingency plans for multiple tax scenarios.
“As part of our ongoing planning, we are assessing the potential impact of different overall tax scenarios on our UK operations,” an Evoke spokesperson said. “This includes the difficult but necessary consideration for shop closures. We are mindful of potential tax increases in the forthcoming budget which would impact investment in the UK and drive more customers to the black market.”
The simultaneous overseas exit and domestic warnings highlight the pressure facing the iconic bookmaker as it navigates tightening regulations, economic headwinds and a rapidly evolving global wagering market.
