Bally’s Intralot CEO Robeson Reeves was glowing in his praise for the trajectory of evoke’s retail assets, after his firm made a bid to £243.1m bid to acquire the William Hill owner this morning.
Reeves underpinned that the transformation of the evoke retail portfolio is on a strong path, and there is little need to shift this direction on the back of the lucrative deal.
It is clear that opportunity for Bally’s lies beyond solely the UK market, but there is a clear appetite to tap into the shifting landscape of the UK.
Accelerating to a podium position in the UK market and becoming the international business they aspired to be, Reeves also expressed his admiration for the heritage of the William Hill brand as he made assurances that further shop closures aren’t part of their immediate plans.
He also highlighted the omnichannel opportunity in the market that is bolstered by new taxation conditions and the significant retail evolution that evoke has embarked on in recent years.
However, there was an admission from Reeves that all elements of the UK business are in some way exposed to the impact of tax rises, even if not directly.
Whilst he acknowledged that there is a lot of fear around the UK market, he stated his belief that it is a real opportunity for big operators.
Affordability and regulations in the UK are at the forefront of Europe, according to Reeves, who underpinned a strong appetite for a market that is in the midst of significant consolidation.
He praised the gradual implementation of the new regulations in the UK, which have led the market to where it is now.
Reeves has faith in his understanding and knowledge of market conditions in the UK to ensure it succeeds and continues to grow, as he admitted that he believes there will be fewer operators as a result of the taxation changes.
Looking ahead, Reeves revealed that as the UK market continues to progress, the business is looking at the potential of smaller operator acquisitions when it comes to boosting growth in the new landscape.
