Tracing the evolution of 888 Holdings from its 1997 founding to its massive £1.95 billion acquisition of William Hill in 2022. The company has navigated market expansions, regulatory fines, and a planned rebranding to Evoke plc.
Early foundations and brand development
Founders Avi and Aaron Shaked and Shay and Ron Ben-Yitzhak established Virtual Holdings Limited in May 1997. The company launched Casino-on-Net that month. To handle research and development, the firm started Random Logic Limited in Tel Aviv in 1998. The business rebranded to 888 in 2002 and launched 888poker. The company moved its administrative center to Gibraltar in 2003. The London Stock Exchange listed the company in 2005. In 2006, the group brought several brands under the singular 888.com name. The company suspended US business on October 2, 2006, because the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act passed. In 2009, 888.com purchased brands including Wink Bingo, Posh Bingo, Tasty Bingo, and RedBus Bingo from Daub. Aaron Shaked died in 2010. Lord Jonathan Mendelsohn took over as Chairman on March 3, 2021. In 2014, 888 Holdings turned down an offer to acquire a company for 700 million pounds. The poker network grew significantly, tripling its peak number of players between July 2010 and February 2012. The company’s core markets are the UK, Italy, Spain, Romania and Denmark. You should note that 888 reached the Spanish market with considerable success in 2012.
Global expansion and major acquisitions
The group acquired the bingo business of Globalcom Limited in March 2007 for up to $43.4 million. This business produced $14 million in revenue during its first half-year. In March 2008, 888 launched 888sport. The company entered the US market again in 2013 through a partnership with Avenue Capital Group. In 2015, 888 operated four of the five legal gambling websites in the United States, including three in Delaware and one in Nevada. The group became the sole owner of the All American Poker Network in 2018. In March 2019, 888 paid £15 million for Dublin-based Dedsert Ltd. The company completed the £1.95 billion acquisition of the international business of William Hill in June 2022. This deal added over 1,400 betting shops to the portfolio. In July 2022, the company completed the sale of its B2C and B2B online bingo businesses to Saphalata Holdings for $43.25 million. The 888ladies mobile app launched for iOS in 2013 and for Android in 2013.
| Entity or Event | Year | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Holdings Limited | 1997 | Company founding |
| 888poker | 2002 | Poker room launch |
| 888sport | 2008 | Sports brand launch |
| William Hill Acquisition | 2022 | £1.95 billion deal |
Regulatory scrutiny and takeover prospects
The UK Gambling Commission fined 888 Holdings £7.8 million in August 2017 because the company allowed 7,000 customers to retain access to betting accounts for 13 months after they self-excluded. These customers deposited £3.5 million during that period. The commission also penalized the firm for failing to recognize a customer who staked more than £1.3 million over 13 months. In March 2022, 888 UK Ltd received a £9.4 million fine for anti-money laundering and social responsibility failings. The company removed its chief executive in 2023. The company announced its intention to change its corporate name to Evoke plc in March 2024. Shareholders approved the name change. The company faces a potential takeover by Bally’s Intralot, which secured a £261 million credit line in July 2026. This follows a December 2025 announcement that Evoke considered a sale or breakup of William Hill and 888 Casino because of rising debt and UK gambling tax increases. Remote gaming duty increased from 21% to 40%. In April, online sports betting duties increased from 15% to 25%. CEO Per Widerstrom faced internal pressure to resign in May 2026 after being named in a criminal complaint in Austria in November 2025. Will the Bally’s Intralot takeover finalize?