Paddy Power has announced plans to close 57 of its betting shops across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, in a move that will affect nearly 250 employees. The closures follow a review of the company’s retail operations amid increasing costs and challenging market conditions.

Closures Across the UK and Ireland

The bookmaker, owned by Flutter Entertainment, said 247 roles are at risk, including 128 in the UK and 119 in Ireland. While the company intends to redeploy affected staff “where possible,” a spokesperson confirmed that “the closures will unfortunately lead to a number of job losses.”

Flutter’s review marks the latest step in the company’s efforts to adapt its retail estate to evolving customer preferences while responding to ongoing economic pressures.

According to Flutter, the decision will result in 29 closures in the UK, including one in Northern Ireland, and 28 in Ireland. Combined, the closures represent nearly 10% of Paddy Power’s total 608 licensed betting offices.

A spokesperson for Flutter UKI said the company is “consulting closely with colleagues and providing support to those affected by these changes.” They added that Paddy Power “continues to view its high street presence as a key part of its offer to customers,” despite shifts in player behaviour and the growing popularity of online betting.

The company cited rising operational costs and a “challenging retail environment” as key reasons for the decision. “We are continually reviewing our high street estate, but it remains a key part of our offer to customers, and we are seeking to innovate and invest where we can as we adapt to different customer trends and needs,” the spokesperson said, as reported by BBC News.

In Ireland, the closures are expected to take effect within the next month. Affected workers will be offered redeployment opportunities where available, but Flutter confirmed that not all roles can be retained.

Market Pressures and Tax Concerns

The closures come amid wider economic strain across the betting industry, with operators facing growing pressure ahead of expected gambling tax increases in the upcoming Autumn Budget. Flutter stated that while the closures are “not directly related” to the budget, potential tax hikes could further impact the industry.

“While today’s closures are not directly related to the uncertainty surrounding the budget, a higher gambling tax could have a significant impact on jobs and investment across the industry and drive more customers into the arms of unlicensed operators on the illegal black market,” Flutter’s spokesperson said.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has previously signalled that betting firms should pay their “fair share,” with reports suggesting in-shop betting taxes could rise as high as 50%. Flutter warned that any such increases could damage the competitiveness of legal operators and harm job security within the sector.

The betting retail sector across Britain and Ireland has been shrinking steadily over the past decade. Industry figures show the number of high street betting shops has fallen by one-third in the last eight years, from nearly 10,000 in 2017 to around 6,600 in 2025.

Flutter’s share price rose slightly following the announcement, up $2.26 to $252.20 on the New York Stock Exchange. Analysts noted that while the closures are part of cost management efforts, the move highlights the long-term decline in retail gambling as online platforms continue to dominate the market.

Other major operators are also reassessing their betting estates. Evoke, the parent company of William Hill, recently confirmed it may close up to 200 locations, potentially affecting 1,500 jobs. Entain, which owns Ladbrokes and Coral, is reportedly reviewing its retail footprint as well.

Industry insiders warn that combined tax rises and high operating costs could further strain the retail betting sector and impact associated industries such as horse racing, which rely heavily on levy payments and media rights income from betting shops.