In March, and following the appointment of a new management team, led by new CEO Per Widerström and CFO Sean Wilkins, the Group laid out its new strategy and Value Creation Plan.
In March the Group announced that it would exit its US B2C operations with the intention of fully ceasing B2C operations by the end of the year.
In May, following shareholder approval, the Group changed its corporate group name to evoke plc to better reflect its new identity, mission and values. Its strong consumer brands remain unchanged.
2023
In March the Group launched its Mr Green brand on a locally regulated basis in Germany on the 888 technology platform, following receipt of a German gaming licence.
In October the Group appointed Per Widerström as its new CEO.
2022
In March the Group announced a strategic investment in 888AFRICA, a joint venture with a group of industry veterans focused on regulated African markets. The first four markets launched in September 2022.
On 1 July 2022, 888 completed its transformational acquisition of William Hill, combining two of the industry’s leading brands and becoming a global leader in betting and gaming.
Also in July, 888 completed the strategic sale of its entire Bingo business including the Dragonfish B2B operations enabling increased focus on the Group’s core betting and gaming products .
2021
William Hill
In April, Caesars Entertainment acquired William Hill. As part of the transaction, Caesars has stated that it will retain the William Hill US business but will look to sell the UK and international business.
888
In June, 888 announced a partnership with Authentic Brands Group, which owns the Sports Illustrated brand, to launch SI branded betting and gaming products in the US. The launch of SI Sportsbook in Colorado soon followed in September.
Also in September, 888 announced the proposed transformational acquisition of William Hill.
888 launched its ambitious ESG framework, "Made for the Future", and formalised its carbon reduction target, which aims to achieve net zero direct emissions by 2030 and across its entire operations by 2035.
2020
William Hill
In November, William Hill shareholders approved an offer for the company from Caesars Entertainment.
888
888 launched its proprietary sports betting product for the first time; rolled out Poker8; and launched the Control Centre, a new customer-facing, safer gambling product.
2019
William Hill
In January, the Group completed the acquisition of Mr Green & Co AB, a fast-growing European online gaming company, for c£242m. The acquisition enhanced William Hill's pan-European footprint, further increasing the Group's digital and international diversification of revenues.
888
In March, 888 acquired BetBright’s proprietary sports betting platform and technology, giving the Group complete ownership of its technology and product development across the full suite of sports and gaming products.
2018
William Hill
Following regulatory approvals, the Group completed the disposal of its Australian businesses to CrownBet Holdings PTY Limited for an enterprise value of A$300m, equivalent to an equity value of A$313.7m, with effect from 23 April 2018.
888
888 announced the acquisition of the remaining 53% interest in the All American Poker Network.
2015
888
888 launched a new retro-themed casino brand, 777.
2014
William Hill
William Hill Sportsbook app passes 2 million downloads.
2013
William Hill
Acquisition of the outstanding 29% stake in William Hill Online from JV partner Playtech plc, Sportingbet's Australian business and Australian online betting business tomwaterhouse.com.
888
888 entered the regulated US online gaming market.
2012
William Hill
William Hill becomes the first European gaming operator to be awarded a full gaming licence in Nevada by the Nevada Gaming Commission, and accordingly completes the pending acquisitions of three US land-based businesses.
888
888.es launched in Spain and rapidly built a leading position.
2011
William Hill
Acquisitions of American Wagering, Inc., Cal Neva Sportsbook Operations and Brandywine Bookmaking in the US.
Sale of remaining 15 betting shops in the Republic of Ireland to Boylesports for €1.5m.
888
In March, 888 gained regulatory approval from the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission.
In July, 888casino launched in the newly regulated Italian market.
2010
William Hill
William Hill sells the 50% stake of its joint venture in Spain to its partner Codere S.A. for €1, and William Hill Online establishes a new telephone betting operation based in Gibraltar.
888
888 completed a brand refresh with its sub-brands refocused to reflect the four core gaming products — 888casino, 888poker, 888sport and 888bingo.
2009
William Hill
Sportsbook and online fixed odds games move to Gibraltar.
2008
William Hill
William Hill announces combining the online business with purchased assets from online software company Playtech, to create William Hill Online. New Sportsbook launches with Orbis Technology.
888
888sport was launched, meaning 888 offered all four key online gaming segments: Casino, Poker, Sports and Bingo.
2007
888
888 acquires Globalcom Limited’s Bingo business, signed its first white label agreements and moved into the B2B arena.
2006
888
The UIGEA was passed in the US in September, ceasing all activity with US customers.
2005
William Hill
William Hill purchases Stanley Leisure PLC's retail bookmaking ops in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Jersey and the Isle of Man.
888
888 was listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange and became a founding member of eCOGRA, the pre-eminent industry benchmark of consumer protection.
2003
William Hill
William Hill purchases the Brough Park Greyhound Stadium.
888
888 obtained a gaming licence in Gibraltar and moved its headquarters to the island.
2002
William Hill
William Hill floated on the London Stock Exchange on 20 June at an offer price of 225p per ordinary share. The offer was oversubscribed in excess of 10 times.
888
888 launched its second Casino product, Reef Club Casino, the 888.com brand and the multi-player online poker room, Pacific Poker.
2000
William Hill
William Hill launches an off-shore telephone betting service and is the first major bookmaker to offer a deduction-free betting service to UK-based clients via the internet.
William Hill launches the online casino.
1999
William Hill
A proposed stock market float was abandoned when the company was sold to Cinven and CVC Partners for £825m.
1998
William Hill
William Hill goes online with the launch of the betting service, Sportsbook.
888
Random Logic Limited was established in Tel Aviv providing research and development and marketing services to 888.
1997
William Hill
Nomura (through Grand Bookmaking Company Limited) purchases William Hill for £700m from Brent Walker.
888
888 was founded in the British Virgin Islands as Virtual Holdings Limited.
888’s Antiguan subsidiary obtained a gaming licence in Antigua and Casino-on-Net, 888’s platform and first proprietary product, was launched in May.
1994
William Hill
It becomes legal to accept football pools coupons in betting shops but the introduction of the National Lottery represented a threat to William Hill’s profitability.
1989
William Hill
Brent Walker purchases William Hill, which has 1,800 betting shops and the largest credit betting operation in the world.
1988
William Hill
Grand Metropolitan, owners of Mecca Bookmakers, acquires William Hill and merges the two companies under the William Hill name.
1973
William Hill
The number of betting shops in the UK peaks at 14,750.
1971
William Hill
Mr William Hill, the company’s original founder, dies, having retired from the business in 1970. The company becomes part of the Sears Holdings Group.
1966
William Hill
William Hill buys into betting shops and starts to acquire existing businesses. Acquisition becomes a major driver for the growth of the business over the next decades.
1961
William Hill
On 1 May 1961, betting shops become legal.
1934
William Hill
William Hill founded the business as a postal/telephone betting service.
