In case you hadn’t heard, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for 888 recently. After the company’s announcement about changing its name from 888 to “Evoke”, we ask – what are the reasons behind the change? And what does this potential rebranding mean for the company? Let’s take a closer look at what’s been going on and why this is happening now.
Overcoming Challenges
There’s been a period of financial setbacks and operational issues at 888, including leadership changes and debt accumulation stemming from its acquisition of William Hill’s non-US operations recently. The Gambling Commission even launched a licence investigation after an attempted management takeover which raised compliance concerns. No regulatory action was taken and 888 came away without any penalties and is in the clear.
But it does look like 888 has acknowledged the need for a refresh if it’s to stay ahead of the game. Could exploring a new name (read whole identity, maybe?) mark the first step in moving past the turbulence?
Shifting Focus Away from the US Towards Europe
The proposed name change was announced alongside other initiatives, including a ‘Value Creation Plan’ aimed at refocusing the company’s financial goals. One initiative involves a fresh focus on its core markets, which include the UK, Italy, Spain, and Denmark. These markets collectively contribute about 85% of 888’s revenue, making them crucial to the company’s performance. By prioritising these geos, 888 aims to strengthen its market presence, efficiency, and profitability.
The company has also decided to move away from its failed attempt to dominate in the US, with the hopes of fully exiting its B2C market there by the end of 2024. Removing itself from a region that produced lacklustre results could be the best cost-saving decision yet.
A Chief Exec That Means Business
Per Widerström, who took over the reins as CEO in late 2023, is playing an important (and explicitly optimistic) leadership role through this upcoming phase, and he hopes to draw a line under the recent challenges.
“We are at the beginning of an exciting new journey. We will build on our strong foundations through a clear strategy and focused plan that will deliver sustainable profitable growth and unlock significant value creation.”
888 becoming “Evoke” should deliver a great experience for customers, it’s certainly a catchier name. The company hopes its future can “make life more interesting by delighting players with world-class betting and gaming experiences”.
What Happens Next?
The name change will need to be approved by shareholders at 2024’s AGM if it’s to go ahead. Discussions around the overall strategy will progress, and industry analysts, stakeholders, and WhichBingo of course, will be watching 888’s moves closely.
Could the rebranding and renewed focus on profitable markets help 888 make a comeback as a leader in the future of the industry? Time will tell. We’ll keep you posted.
Behind the Numbers: The WhichBingo Awards 2025 Voting Revealed
What does your favourite bingo or casino site say about you? Well, we have analysed all 265,000 votes and data from the WhichBingo Awards 2025 – to reveal how your vote played a key role, which sites and games made an unseen impact, and what it might say about you… You can view all the WhichBingo Awards 2025 winners here. What Your Favourite Bingo Site Says About You: Your Voting: The Big Picture 2025…
by
Nic McBride
6min
4. Jul 202512:33
WhichBingo Wins Best Bingo Affiliate 2025
And the winner is… us! A panel of expert judges has officially crowned WhichBingo as the #1 guide to finding top bingo sites. WhichBingo won Best Bingo Affiliate at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2025 in London. “We’re incredibly proud to receive this award. It’s a clear sign that our commitment to connecting players with the best bingo sites is being recognised by the iGaming industry,” said WhichBingo Senior Director Lynsey…
by
Nic McBride
3min
27. Jun 202509:48
£100,000 Prize for National Bingo Week
National Bingo Week is ending with a bang! Buzz Bingo has put up a £100,000 prize in its Big Money Live this Sunday. The £100,000 will go to the lucky person who gets a Full House. And there is also a £10,000 prize for 2 lines, and a £5,000 prize for 1 line – making for a total of £115,000 available to be won in one game. What a way…
by
Nic McBride
2min
15. May 202507:00
WhichBingo Awards 2025 – Gala Crowned the Best Bingo Site By You
The WhichBingo Awards are over for another year and what an exciting one it has been! Since first launching in 2014, the WhichBingo Awards have become one of the most coveted awards in the industry and our event this year held on May 14th was a huge success. Once again, the WhichBingo Awards 2025 took place on the beautiful Sunborn Yacht Hotel in Gibraltar, so really there are no losers for…
by
Jennifer McFadyen
3min
7. Jul 202515:27
Behind the Numbers: The WhichBingo Awards 2025 Voting Revealed
What does your favourite bingo or casino site say about you? Well, we have analysed all 265,000 votes and data from the WhichBingo Awards 2025 – to reveal how your vote played a key role, which sites and games made an unseen impact, and what it might say about you… You can view all the WhichBingo Awards 2025 winners here. What Your Favourite Bingo Site Says About You: Your Voting: The Big Picture 2025…
by
Nic McBride
6min
4. Jul 202512:33
WhichBingo Wins Best Bingo Affiliate 2025
And the winner is… us! A panel of expert judges has officially crowned WhichBingo as the #1 guide to finding top bingo sites. WhichBingo won Best Bingo Affiliate at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2025 in London. “We’re incredibly proud to receive this award. It’s a clear sign that our commitment to connecting players with the best bingo sites is being recognised by the iGaming industry,” said WhichBingo Senior Director Lynsey…
by
Nic McBride
3min
15. May 202507:00
WhichBingo Awards 2025 – Gala Crowned the Best Bingo Site By You
The WhichBingo Awards are over for another year and what an exciting one it has been! Since first launching in 2014, the WhichBingo Awards have become one of the most coveted awards in the industry and our event this year held on May 14th was a huge success. Once again, the WhichBingo Awards 2025 took place on the beautiful Sunborn Yacht Hotel in Gibraltar, so really there are no losers for…
by
Jennifer McFadyen
3min
11. Mar 202516:42
200,000 Votes and Counting So Far in the 2025 WhichBingo Awards
WhichBingo, one of the UK’s best known and most trusted online bingo review and affiliate sites, owned and operated by Gambling.com Group, is delighted to reveal that more than 200,000 votes have so far been cast in the annual WhichBingo Awards. With just under a month to go, there is still plenty of time to vote, with the closing date for nominations being the 4th of April, 2025. Commenting on the…
by
Charles Shakespeare
3min
7. Jul 202515:27
Behind the Numbers: The WhichBingo Awards 2025 Voting Revealed
What does your favourite bingo or casino site say about you? Well, we have analysed all 265,000 votes and data from the WhichBingo Awards 2025 – to reveal how your vote played a key role, which sites and games made an unseen impact, and what it might say about you… You can view all the WhichBingo Awards 2025 winners here. What Your Favourite Bingo Site Says About You: Your Voting: The Big Picture 2025…
by
Nic McBride
6min
16. Apr 202512:35
Hook, Line & Winner: Fishin’ Frenzy Bingo Goes Live
Fishin’ Frenzy Bingo is a brand new bingo game, the latest innovation in the bingo world, offering players like yourself an exciting new twist on the classic 90-ball bingo game. This game combines the fun of bingo with the excitement of slot features, jackpots, and bonus rounds, all while staying true to the famous Fishin’ Frenzy brand. The game looks great and is totally in line with the brand’s design…
by
Esther Rubin
2min
17. Nov 202406:55
Safer Gambling Week 2024: An Important Conversation
For most people, gambling is a fun thing to do. A small deposit, a few wagers, or a cheeky flutter here and there can add a bit of thrill to your day. But for some, gambling can get out of control, creating financial and emotional challenges… or worse. That’s why Safer Gambling Week 2024 (SGW) which is running from Monday 18th of November to Sunday 24th of November is so…
by
Esther Rubin
3min
20. Sep 202410:48
Betting Company Flutter Shows Community Spirit with £400k Cash4Clubs Initiative
Flutter UKI, the betting company behind brands Paddy Power Bingo, Betfair, Sky Betting & Gaming and tombola, shows that giving back can be a priority. As part of its Do More initiative which hopes to improve the lives of 10 million people by 2030, Flutter UKI has proudly announced the return of its flagship Cash4Clubs programme, offering financial support to grassroots sports organisations. For 2024, Cash4Clubs will offer a massive…
by
Esther Rubin
3min
28. Nov 202415:45
Two Developments in UK Gambling Designed to Protect Players
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced two measures to improve player protection designed to reduce the risks of gambling addiction while ensuring that more operators contribute to helping people affected. The changes involve new stake limits and a statutory levy. Let’s read more about it. 1. New Stake Limits While full details have yet to be outlined, based on the Gambling Review’s White Paper, the…
by
Esther Rubin
3min
20. Nov 202415:49
Safer Gambling Week 2024: Promoting Positive Play and Industry Support
Safer gambling week is upon us once again but what does that mean for the gambling industry and those who play? For gambling companies it is an opportunity to engage with their customers and promote the various tools that are on offer to help players manage their gambling spend, their time spent gambling and their access to gambling. For consumers it is a chance to have open and honest conversations…
by
Rob Mabbett
3min
17. Nov 202406:55
Safer Gambling Week 2024: An Important Conversation
For most people, gambling is a fun thing to do. A small deposit, a few wagers, or a cheeky flutter here and there can add a bit of thrill to your day. But for some, gambling can get out of control, creating financial and emotional challenges… or worse. That’s why Safer Gambling Week 2024 (SGW) which is running from Monday 18th of November to Sunday 24th of November is so…
by
Esther Rubin
3min
13. Jun 202410:59
Rise in Safer Gambling Tools Use During Safer Gambling Week
New figures released have shown a substantial uptake in the use of safer gambling tools during last year’s Safer Gambling Week. 2023’s Safer Gambling Week was held from November 13th to November 19th and promoted an exciting campaign on the use of safer gambling tools when gambling. Safer Gambling Week is organised by the Betting and Gaming Council and is in its 7th year. It brings together many different areas…
by
Jennifer McFadyen
1min
20. Jun 202509:43
Anna Vakili on Love Island Drama, Dating Show Rumours and Life After the Villa
Fresh from a whirlwind few months, Anna Vakili sat down with WhichBingo to talk all things Love Island from the fiery new season and dating show rumours to life post-villa and her rollercoaster love life. The reality star opened up about future TV ambitions, fertility struggles, and what’s next for Sisters in the City, her hugely popular podcast with sister Mandi. Speaking to WhichBingo, the home of the best bingo…
by
Killian Morris
8min
6. Jun 202513:45
Love Island Through the Ages
What the Cast Would’ve Looked Like in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90’s and predictions for 2050 With Love Island returning to our screens next week, it’s time to pop on the lip gloss, top up the fake tan, and get ready for another summer of slow-burn romance, bombshell drama, and recoupling chaos. But what if the villa had opened its doors in another decade? What if the Islanders strutted their…
by
Killian Morris
4min
15. May 202507:00
WhichBingo Awards 2025 – Gala Crowned the Best Bingo Site By You
The WhichBingo Awards are over for another year and what an exciting one it has been! Since first launching in 2014, the WhichBingo Awards have become one of the most coveted awards in the industry and our event this year held on May 14th was a huge success. Once again, the WhichBingo Awards 2025 took place on the beautiful Sunborn Yacht Hotel in Gibraltar, so really there are no losers for…
by
Jennifer McFadyen
3min
7. May 202520:00
WhichBingo Awards 2025: A Night of Glitz, Games & Celebs
One of the most anticipated events in the online bingo calendar is almost here — the WhichBingo Awards 2025. Taking place on 14 May aboard the stunning Sunborn Yacht Hotel in Gibraltar, this glamorous evening promises a mix of celebration, recognition, and top-notch entertainment. Dabbers Bingo will be on hand again this year to provide the entertainment. A Star-Studded Guest Line-Up This year’s awards will shine even brighter thanks to…
by
Jennifer McFadyen
2min
Updated October 15, 2024
Esther Rubin
iGaming Writer
The Bingo & Slots Specialist
Esther Rubin is a bingo and slots specialist with years of hands-on experience in the online gaming industry. Having worked as a bingo chat host, VIP manager, and promotions strategist, she has a deep understanding of online bingo platforms, community engagement, and player rewards. At WhichBingo, Esther reviews bingo sites, game variations, and promotions, helping players find the best platforms for a fun and fair gaming experience. She also analyzes slot games, offering insights tailored for bingo players exploring slots. With a player-first approach, Esther’s reviews break down bonuses, jackpots, and game mechanics in a way that’s clear, engaging, and community-focused.
6min 
Reader comments