William Hill is due to close 200 of its betting shops across the UK next month in a move affecting at least 15% of its branches. The shops have been deemed "no longer sustainable" in a "thorough review" from the gambling chain's parent company, Evoke.

A full list of the locations affected by the store closures has yet to be announced. William Hill is said to operate some 1,300 betting shops across the country. It employs about 8,000 people. Evoke said those affected by the changes would be offered the company's "full support".

The chain said it faced significant tax increases and increased cost pressures in the wake of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' autumn Budget.

Ms Reeves doubled the tax on online gaming from 21% to 40%, affecting other bookies besides William Hill, the Daily Record reports.

A spokesperson for Evoke told the publication: "Following a thorough review and further to increased cost pressures on the regulated sector including significant tax increases announced by the Government in last year’s Autumn Budget, from May we are closing a number of shops that are no longer sustainable.

"We are offering our full support to our retail colleagues who are affected by these closures."

The spokesperson added: "These decisions are never taken lightly, however, in the face of rising cost pressures we must take action to ensure we can continue to invest in our core retail estate, with the right shops in the right locations."

William Hill is not the only bookmakers affected, with Paddy Power having previously announced the closure of 57 shops in October 2025.

Its move affects 28 outlets in Britain, a further 28 in Ireland and one branch in Northern Ireland.

The closures represent 10% of the firm's estate. A spokesperson for parent company, Flutter Entertainment, said the decision had not been affected by the autumn Budget.

Ladbrokes is also set to close 45 of its shops across Ireland, with six in Northern Ireland and 39 based in the Republic.

About 226 jobs are said to be affected, with rising energy, labour and property costs, alongside a shift to online gambling, blamed for the closures.