William Hill Halts Operations in 13 Countries

William Hill’s platform will no longer be available to users in the following countries starting December 2: 

• Angola

• Burkina Faso

• Cameroon

• Kenya

• Mozambique

• Nigeria

• the Republic of Congo

• the Democratic Republic of Congo

• Somalia

• Vietnam

• Nepal

• Bolivia

• Nicaragua 

A representative of Evoke Plc, the parent company of William Hill, has confirmed this information.

Reasons behind the decision

This move may be an attempt to strengthen the company’s position in its home market, the UK, ahead of the introduction of a new tax regime that many believe could threaten the future of licensed gambling in the country.

Nevertheless, William Hill will leave a noticeable legacy in these regions — for example, a significant volume of branded search demand, which knowledgeable actors will undoubtedly try to capitalize on.

What this means for customers

Customers will be able to log into their accounts until January 5 to withdraw their funds. Starting January 6, all login credentials will be disabled. To withdraw any remaining balance after that date, players will need to contact customer support.

Why William Hill’s Exit Fits a Bigger Industry Trend

Industry observers say William Hill’s decision is not an isolated case. Over the past few years, many major operators have been stepping away from markets where gambling rules are unclear, unstable, or frequently changing. Several of the affected countries still don’t have a solid regulatory framework, while others are preparing major updates that could shift the legal landscape overnight. For licensed brands, staying in such environments often turns into a costly gamble.

What the Company Gains by Leaving

By narrowing its global presence, William Hill is likely trying to reduce compliance costs and invest more heavily in regions with predictable regulation and stronger customer protection standards. Markets with stable rules also tend to offer better long-term value for operators.

What This Means for Players

For users in these countries, the change may be inconvenient. Many will have to switch to regional or offshore platforms, where safety standards, fairness guarantees, and responsible gambling tools vary from one operator to another. In some cases, players may end up with fewer protections than they had before.