Shareholders of Bally's Intralot have overwhelmingly approved the acquisition of Evoke for €283.2 million. During the company's annual meeting, 99.585% of shareholders cast their votes in favor of the deal, while only 0.415% opposed it. Earlier on August 17, Evoke's shareholders also showed strong support, with 99.63% approving the acquisition, which values Evoke shares at £0.52 each, approximately €0.61.
With shareholder approvals secured from both sides, the acquisition now requires regulatory approvals. A court hearing will also be necessary to finalize the scheme of arrangement involved in the acquisition, expected in either the fourth quarter of 2026 or the first quarter of 2027.
This acquisition comes at a challenging time for both companies, as they face significant debt issues. Evoke reported a staggering €2.20 billion in debt for 2025, while Bally's Intralot carries a net debt of €1.17 billion (approximately $1.34 billion).
Bally's Corporation, which holds a 58% stake in Bally's Intralot, is also dealing with debt challenges and has raised concerns about its ability to continue as a going concern. The decision to acquire Evoke was made in a share transaction announced in June, followed by the firm's strong backing from shareholders in August for a £243 million takeover. Evoke initiated a strategic review in December 2025, spurred by the UK government's decision to raise online gambling taxes, prompting the exploration of a potential sale.
