Casino News Roundup: Bally's Eyes Evoke Takeover & Atlantic City Fights Back
Welcome to the Casino Daily News Roundup - your briefing on the latest news from the global casino industry. We bring you the biggest stories from across the sector, covering everything from major business deals and revenue figures to new openings and regulatory developments.
Bally's Corporation has emerged as the leading candidate to acquire Evoke plc - the parent company of William Hill - in what would be one of the most significant consolidation deals the European gambling market has seen in years.
According to sources, Bally's is understood to be the most credible bidder largely because it is willing to purchase the entire Evoke group outright - an approach that aligns directly with the preference of Evoke's board, which is seeking a clean, straightforward sale.
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Final bids are anticipated imminently. Evoke's board will then determine whether to accept an offer or continue its strategic review if proposals fall short of expectations.
One source familiar with the discussions said the board's number one priority is finding "the easiest structure - so to sell everything to one buyer".
Evoke postponed its full-year 2025 financial results until April 29, a move widely interpreted as a sign that a transaction announcement could be approaching.
For Bally's, the deal makes strategic sense on several levels. The US operator has been openly pursuing market share gains in Britain through M&A and has the financial backing to make the move - its preliminary 2025 report pointed to a highly successful year under CEO Robeson Reeves.
Acquiring Evoke would hand Bally's one of Europe's most recognizable betting brands in William Hill, a sprawling UK high street retail network, and the established online platforms that sit under the Gamesys Group umbrella.
At a stroke, Bally's would become one of Europe's most important business-to-consumer gambling operators.
The deal does come with complications. Evoke's exposure to the UK market is a key consideration at a time when the country is preparing to double its Remote Gaming Duty on online casino products from 21% to 40% from April 1.
The company also carries significant debt from its prior acquisition of William Hill. If no transaction is completed, sources suggest debt holders could seek greater control over the board - potentially driving an alternative restructuring process.
Atlantic City Casinos Pledge To Fight Back As New York Competition Draws Closer
Atlantic City's casino industry has issued a rallying call ahead of what promises to be one of its most competitive periods in decades.
George Goldhoff, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey and of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City, issued a statement on behalf of the group, pledging to help deliver "tangible results on the ground" as the resort prepares to face competition from three new casinos opening in New York City in the years ahead.
"Atlantic City has reinvented itself before, with focused collaboration between government and industry," Goldhoff said.
"We can do it again and secure a bright, sustainable future for our city and our state."
The statement comes in direct response to New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill's publicly expressed concerns about the impact New York's casinos will have on Atlantic City - which draws a significant share of its visitors from the greater New York metropolitan area.
Resorts World New York City has already opened its first phase this month, with two further NYC casino resorts targeting 2030 openings.
Atlantic City's nine casinos are continuing to invest in their properties - with Hard Rock and Ocean Casino Resort both announcing major renovation projects this year - as the resort positions itself for a new era of intensified regional competition.
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UK Remote Gaming Duty Doubles As Operators Brace For Tax Overhaul
From April 1, the Remote Gaming Duty applied to online casino revenue rises from 21% to 40% - a near doubling of the tax rate that will affect every licensed operator offering slots, table games and other digital casino products to UK players.
The change was announced in Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget and forms part of a broader package of gambling tax reforms rolling out across 2026 and 2027.
Operators have been preparing for months. Most major players have already adjusted their promotional strategies, with bonus offers tightened and return-to-player percentages reviewed ahead of the new rate kicking in.
Flutter Entertainment and other large operators say they are well placed to absorb the impact, while smaller operators face more significant pressure on margins.
On a positive note, Bingo Duty is being abolished from the same date - a change welcomed across the land-based bingo sector.
The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates the overall package will generate an additional £1.1billion in tax revenue for the UK government by 2029-30, with proceeds helping to fund public services and, in part, the new statutory gambling levy supporting harm prevention services.
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Downtown Grand Casino For Sale After Las Vegas Owners Default On $90m Loan
One of downtown Las Vegas' most recognizable casino properties is heading for sale after its owners defaulted on a $90million construction loan.
The Downtown Grand has been operating under a court-appointed receiver since January 5, after lender Banc of California sued the ownership entities following missed interest payments and the loan's failure to be repaid at maturity in August 2025.
The receiver, Paul Huygens of Henderson-based Province LLC, has already launched a formal marketing effort, circulating sale documents to 162 prospective purchasers.
By mid-February, 25 parties had signed non-disclosure agreements and gained access to an online data room containing more than 500 documents.
The property continues to operate under court supervision while potential buyers evaluate the opportunity.
The receivership follows a string of failed exits for owner CIM Group, which spent roughly $100m to acquire the former Lady Luck property in 2007, another $100m on a 2013 renovation and a further $90m on a Gallery Tower expansion completed in 2020.
Nevada's Uniform Commercial Real Estate Receivership Act allows the property to be sold free and clear of subordinate debts - a provision designed to make it more attractive to new buyers and streamline any future transaction.
The next formal step will be a court motion from the receiver outlining proposed bidding procedures and a sale timeline.
