UK business has not been great for William Hill so far in 2018, with the reduction in the maximum stake of FOBTs resulting in losses of over £800 million in the first six months of 2018, and reports that up to 900 UK based high street betting shops may have to close as a result of the law change, causing up to 4,500 job losses.However, it isn’t all bad news for William Hill, who have been making waves in the US market since the changes in the laws on sports betting in the United Stated.
US Market
William Hill governance has stated that it has (“subject to regulatory approval”) signed deals that will see it become the lead sports betting supplier for Hard Rock Casino Hotel & Casino Biloxi, Biloxi Palace Casino, Biloxi Treasure Bay Casino, and Vicksburg WaterView Casino amongst numerous others.Looking to maintain their current position as the largest presence in the US sports betting market in the run up to the next NFL season which starts in early September, William Hill clearly have high hopes for the US market and their position within it.
Expansion
For a company to look for the levels of growth that William Hill is looking for, obviously help is necessary, and while the UK arm of William Hill may be running the risk of laying off staff, the US side of the business is looking to expand.CEO of William Hill, Joe Asher, has made it clear that the compliance, operational support, and technology development sectors of the company are amongst those which need to grow in order for the bookmakers to carry out their plans across the pond.With a partnership with Penn National Gaming, a leading casino and racetrack operator, expected to be confirmed soon, it’s clear that William Hill has high hopes for the US market.