Evoke has said it anticipates reporting a 5% year-on-year rise in revenue during the second quarter, driven by increases within its online gambling business and a return to growth for its retail segment.
In a post-close trading update for the period to 30 June 2025, Evoke said it performed in line with expectations.
The operator’s online business was its primary growth area, with revenue rising by approximately 6%. It noted continued strength in the group’s international core markets in Q2.
However, Evoke also referenced a positive performance by its retail sector, which returned to growth during the quarter. This, the group said, was partly down to the rollout of 5,000 new gaming machines across the estate. This process completed in March 2025, shortly before the start of Q2.
Its UK retail business faced a number of consecutive periods of falling revenue. In Q1 its UK retail segment was down 6% to £123.1 million.
Q2 success sets up Evoke for H1 growth
On the back of expected growth in Q2, Evoke said this positively impacted its performance in H1. For the six months to 30 June, group revenue is forecast to be 3% higher year-on-year.
Growth was driven by double-digit gaming growth, apparent across both H1 and Q2. However, its sports betting business was impacted in Q2 by a tougher prior year comparative. The same quarter last year featured the first part of football’s 2024 European Championships.
Evoke also referenced the impact of what it described as “robust cost control”. This, coupled with increased efficiency in operations and improved marketing returns, meant that adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between £163 million ($220 million) and £167 million in H1.
The midpoint of this would be 43% higher than the previous year. On top of this, Evoke said this would bring adjusted EBITDA in the last 12 months to more than £360 million, which it said would represent “significant” annual growth.
Evoke on track for full-year increases
With this, Evoke said other full-year expectations remain unchanged, after it also saw growth in Q1. Revenue is still forecast to increase between 5% and 9%, while adjusted EBITDA margin should reach at least 20%.
Moving into Q3 and the second half, Evoke said this anticipated growth will be supported by product delivery, improved marketing returns and further cost savings. This will be the focus across all Evoke-owned brands including William Hill, 888 and Mr Green.
“Q2 marked our second strongest quarterly revenue performance since the beginning of 2023,” Evoke CEO Per Widerström said. “This is a particularly encouraging result given the tough comparator from lapping the Euros.
“Importantly, this growth was also delivered profitably, in line with our focus on sustainable profitable growth, with H1 adjusted EBITDA significantly ahead year-over-year, supporting our strong deleveraging trajectory in line with the value creation plan.”
Widerström talks up ‘competitive advantages’
In addition to financial growth, Widerström referenced ongoing transformation across the group. He said improving capabilities for the mid and long term will support the group in several areas moving forward.
“We are strengthening our competitive advantages and better aligning our leading brands and products to a clearer customer value proposition,” Widerström said. “Our disciplined strategy with clear focus on our core markets and driving operational excellence is delivering improved profitability and enabling further deleveraging.
“I look forward to sharing more detail on our progress and plans at our interim results in August.”
Evoke is due to publish its results in full on 13 August.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/finance/quarterly-results/evoke-q2-revenue-rise-retail-growth/
