Bally’s Intralot CEO Reeves认为“高价值玩家”已离开英国受监管市场

(AsiaGameHub) –   Bally’s Intralot CEO Robeson Reeves has cautioned that high-spending players have effectively exited the regulated UK sector, even as he outlined the operator’s strategy for future growth in the region.

During the company’s first-quarter earnings call, executives also hinted at significant progress regarding their ongoing interest in acquiring evoke, with Reeves promising further updates in the near future.

He told investors: “I will stick to what has already been disclosed publicly, but I encourage you to consider this alongside our upcoming commentary on our margins, platform capabilities, operational history, and cash flow. The strategic logic is clear.”

The discussions between Bally’s Intralot and evoke are taking place against a backdrop of major shifts in the UK market, driven by a rise in remote gaming duty from 21% to 40% and the introduction of financial risk assessments, commonly referred to as affordability checks.

While much of the sector has voiced strong opposition to these affordability checks, fearing they could damage the market, Reeves noted that they pose little threat to Bally’s Intralot.

He stated: “Our platform was designed with this [affordability] in mind from the start, because if customers can afford to play, they can play sustainably over the long term.

“When you examine our retention rates and stable growth, it’s clear that our expansion is driven by acquiring new customers on top of our existing base. Consequently, I don’t view affordability measures as a major risk, as our player base remains consistent and stable.”

Bally’s Intralot reported a 10.5% increase in UK online revenue for Q1 2026, with preliminary data indicating similar growth trends for April and May.

Although many critics of the tax hikes and affordability mandates argue that these measures will drive players toward the black market, Reeves holds a different perspective, asserting that the UK’s “big spenders” have already left the regulated space.

He explained: “Over the last five years, the UK has fostered a more sustainable spending environment for the mass market. Therefore, I don’t anticipate a significant shift in market size due to the black market, as high-value players have already migrated there.

“People often compare the UK market to regions like the Netherlands, which saw a rapid increase in channelisation. However, there is a fundamental difference here.”

Market consolidation already underway

Looking forward, Reeves noted that the company is entering this period of transition in the UK from a “position of strength,” a point underscored by its pursuit of evoke.

Last month, Bally’s Intralot announced it was considering an offer for the entire issued and to-be-issued share capital of evoke at 50p per share, valuing the company at approximately £225m.

Reeves and CFO Andreas Chrysos declined to provide further details on the potential acquisition, other than confirming that more information would be shared shortly.

At the time, the company stated that acquiring evoke could “deliver substantial strategic and operational synergies, including enhanced scale, an expanded geographic footprint, and opportunities for cost efficiencies.”

The initial deadline for Bally’s Intralot to confirm its intention to proceed with the acquisition was 18 May, but this has since been extended to 17:00 BST on 8 June.

Reeves added that further changes are expected in the UK as the industry adjusts to the financial burden of the increased remote gaming duty.

He explained: “For other iGaming operators, this represents a 19% change. Since most of these operators have profit margins below 19%, their behavior will inevitably shift. They will lack the budget for marketing, so I expect to see changes in how operators function.

“Companies are also scaling back on incentives and promotions. We are clearly witnessing the beginning of industry consolidation.”

Overall, Bally’s Intralot reported a major performance turnaround in Q1 compared to the previous year, with revenue rising 180.5% year-on-year to €268.1m, and EBITDA climbing to €100.1m from €30.2m in 2025.

These results were largely fueled by the acquisition of Bally’s International Interactive in October 2025, which contributed €183.9m in revenue and €72.7m in EBITDA during the quarter.