Key Moments:
- Players at both William Hill and 888 Casino saw large, erroneous credits appear in their accounts due to a jackpot malfunction.
- Both brands, owned by Evoke, demanded the return of miscredited funds, offering to let players keep 11% as a commercial resolution.
- Evoke’s share price has been reported at 28.6p, a sharp decline from its 2021 high of 458p, with its market cap now at £123.8m.
Unexpected Jackpot Credits Freeze Player Accounts
A significant technical error recently affected two of the UK’s most prominent betting brands, William Hill and 888 Casino. Customers reported seeing their account balances surge into the hundreds of thousands of pounds before their accounts were subsequently suspended.
Both brands, owned by Evoke, responded with suspensions, account reviews, and formal requests for repayment of any amounts that had been withdrawn following the glitch.
Operator Demands Repayment, Offers Partial Settlement
One William Hill account holder described how his balance jumped to nearly £250,000 before his access was restricted. In a message shared with iGamingToday, the company said: “Our review has confirmed that certain balances credited to your account and subsequently withdrawn did not arise from valid gameplay and are attributable to the issue affecting the Jackpot Drop game.”
William Hill noted that their Terms and Conditions permit them to void transactions and seek recovery of funds in the event of such errors. Players were presented with the option to retain 11% of any withdrawn amounts, provided they return the remainder within a three-day window.
Similar Demands From 888 Casino
A comparable situation unfolded at 888 Casino, where one user saw her £50 deposit swell to more than £236,000 due to repeated jackpot errors. She withdrew £700 before her account drew attention from the operator.
888 Casino communicated: “Funds were incorrectly credited and, in some cases, withdrawn from a number of customer accounts, including yours, that were not generated through valid or properly functioning gameplay.”
The company confirmed the £700 withdrawal occurred because of a mistake and requested the funds be returned. Matching its sister brand, 888 Casino offered a commercial solution: “We are prepared to offer a commercial resolution whereby you may retain 11% of the withdrawn amount. This offer is being made as a gesture of goodwill and does not undermine our legal rights.”
Players were given a three-day timeframe to sign an agreement and pay back the majority of the withdrawn funds.
Potential Legal Challenges and Broader Business Impact
Evoke could face continued disputes, as some affected individuals have indicated plans to challenge the requests in court. They reference prior cases where customers won legal battles against gambling companies over voided or withheld jackpots.
Recent financial pressures compound the situation. SBC reported that Evoke shares are trading at 28.6p, a significant fall from the 2021 peak of 458p. The company’s current market capitalization stands at £123.8m. The introduction of a 40% remote gaming duty is cited as a factor influencing the company’s recent value.
In addition, the business has transitioned from the FTSE 250 index to the FTSE All‑Share. Leadership is now considering multiple strategic options, including a possible sale, with Bally’s named among potential buyers.
Evoke’s Recent Financial Figures
| Data Point | Value |
|---|---|
| Share Price (Reported by SBC) | 28.6p |
| 2021 Share Price Peak | 458p |
| Market Capitalization | £123.8m |
| Remote Gaming Duty | 40% |
- Author
Daniel Williams
