Sad tales involving the expression “in the current economy” have become the cliché of our time, and this week monetary concerns are rocking one of the world’s biggest, most well-known sports bookmakers.

The online support center of William Hill on Sunday experienced a walkout by 160 employees – representing nearly 90% of the staff – in Tel Aviv. The center provides nearly all customer service support for the William Hill internet enterprise.

The walkout was caused by employee fears that William Hill CEO Ralph Topping is in fact planning to shut down the operation in favor of relocating the business in the United Kingdom or Gilbraltar.

Another company executive, Jim Mullen, flew to Tel Aviv on Monday in an attempt to settle matters, ultimately offering employees one month’s worth of pay should they return to work.

William Hill is expected to earn some £100 million (approximately $158 million/€114.5 million) on its internet sportsbook business alone in 2011.