Evoke CEO Per Widerström has called on the government to carefully consider the effects of increasing machine games duty. His remarks follow significant job losses and operational cuts across the gambling sector over the past year.
What Happened
Per Widerström, CEO of Evoke, has issued a statement urging the government to carefully assess the potential impact of raising machine games duty. According to EGR, Widerström highlighted the cuts and job losses that have already occurred across the sector in the preceding 12 months, asserting that higher taxes have a “real impact on jobs and livelihoods.”
This appeal from Evoke’s leadership aligns with broader industry concerns. Other industry executives have also voiced warnings regarding tax increases. For instance, the CEO of JenningsBet stated that tax hikes could “decimate this hard-pressed sector,” and a Flutter International executive reportedly urged the UK government to cease “bashing the industry,” as detailed by EGR.
Key Details
- Evoke CEO Per Widerström emphasized the direct effect of increased machine games duty on employment and livelihoods, as reported by EGR.
- The call for careful consideration follows a period of job losses and operational reductions within the gambling sector over the last year, according to EGR.
- Other industry leaders, including the CEO of JenningsBet and an executive from Flutter International, have also expressed concerns about the potential negative consequences of higher taxes on the sector, EGR reported.
Why It Matters
The gambling industry’s appeals against tax increases underscore an ongoing tension between government revenue objectives and the operational realities faced by regulated operators. Widerström’s specific mention of job losses and cuts over the past year suggests that the sector is already navigating financial pressures, making further tax burdens a critical concern for its workforce and economic footprint. Such public statements from CEOs of major operators like Evoke often signal significant industry-wide financial and employment implications if tax policies shift without sufficient consideration of existing market conditions, according to EGR.
Originally reported by EGRPublished
Sources & References
Primary source
- EGRegr.global
Additional references
- Evoke Q3 2026 revenue falls 7% on retail closuresnext.io
- PRESS: Entain, Flutter, Evoke ask Healey for restraint on sector taxes | AJ Bellajbell.co.uk
- William Hill owner Evoke takes £46m hit from higher gambling taxes as it shuts shops ahead of takeover | This is Moneythisismoney.co.uk
- UK Bookmakers Warn of More Shop Closures Over Tax Increases – Buystromectolnowbuystromectolnow.com