William Hill launches review of iGaming roles

William Hill has confirmed it is reviewing more than 100 jobs at its bases in Gibraltar, Leeds and London ahead of the anticipated completion of its acquisition of Mr Green operator MRG.

Some redundancies are likely, though the company has insisted that many roles will continue and other employees will be either relocated or redeployed.

iGamingBusiness.com understands that the review covers positions in a range of departments within its online business.

Key to the review is the fact that the proposed SEK2.82bn (£242m/€271m/$307m) takeover of MRG is likely to create duplicate roles, even though all of the positions under review are within William Hill at present, rather than MRG.

When William Hill announced the deal to acquire MRG in October, it said that “prior to completion of the offer, no decision will be taken on any material changes to MRG's employees and management or to the existing organisation and operations, including the terms of employment and locations of the business”.

The acceptance period for the takeover offer of SEK69 in cash per share is set to run from December 10 to January 11, with hopes that the deal will be completed soon after.

Meanwhile the establishment of a new international hub for William Hill in Malta, where MRG is based, is another factor behind the review of the UK- and Gibraltar-based roles.

“MRG will provide William Hill with an international hub in Malta with market entry expertise and strong growth momentum in a number of European countries,” CEO Philip Bowcock (pictured) said in October. “William Hill will move from a single brand to a suite of brands that can maximise growth opportunities moving forward in new and existing markets.”

A William Hill spokesperson told iGamingBusiness.com today (December 3): “The hub is operational, but will be a work-in-progress full stop.”

The review is also taking place after a number of new hires and personnel changes recently.

In October, Phil Walker was appointed as William Hill’s new UK & Ireland online managing director, with the former Ladbrokes executive leading the team Gibraltar while the bookmaker seeks a new international online managing director, who will be based in Malta.

Walker’s appointment was confirmed after Grant Williams quit as online managing director, coinciding with the company beginning a restructure of its digital division. Charlotte Emery was also brought in as the company’s new global brand and marketing director in October.

William Hill added that full support packages would be provided as part of any redundancies following the review.