Paddy Power Announces Plans to Close Up to 100 Betting Shops Across UK and Ireland

Flutter Entertainment, the parent company behind Paddy Power, confirmed plans to shutter as many as 100 betting shops in the UK and Ireland, a move that puts roughly 400 positions at risk of redundancy, and this step accounts for about one fifth of the firm's retail footprint while building on previous rounds of closures already carried out by the operator and several rivals.

The announcement arrives in the wake of increased gambling taxes that were introduced through the Autumn Budget of the previous year, including higher rates for remote gaming duty together with scheduled adjustments to online betting duty that take effect over the coming period, and industry observers point to these fiscal measures as the primary driver behind the retail contraction.

Details of the Closure Programme

Company statements indicate that affected staff will be offered redeployment opportunities wherever feasible, while formal consultation processes with employees and their representatives are set to begin shortly, and the phased nature of the closures allows time for these discussions to conclude before final decisions on individual sites are locked in.

Similar actions have already been taken by other major operators such as Betfred, William Hill and Entain, each citing the same combination of elevated duties and shifting consumer habits that have reduced footfall in physical locations, and the cumulative effect across the sector has accelerated the pace at which high-street estates are being rationalised.

Tax Changes Behind the Decision

The Autumn Budget measures raised the remote gaming duty rate and introduced forthcoming increases to the online betting duty threshold, changes that have raised operating costs for both digital and retail arms of gambling businesses, and data from company filings show that these adjustments have compressed margins in a market where online platforms already capture the majority of customer activity.

According to official budget documentation, the policy package was designed to generate additional public revenue while aligning taxation more closely across different gambling formats, yet operators report that the resulting cost pressures have prompted accelerated store reviews and workforce planning exercises throughout 2026.

Workforce and Operational Adjustments

Paddy Power has emphasised that every effort will be made to limit compulsory redundancies through internal transfers and natural attrition, and the consultation period will examine options for affected employees on a case-by-case basis, while the company continues to maintain its broader network of remaining shops that serve customers who prefer in-person betting.

Those who have tracked the sector note that retail betting has faced steady headwinds from the growth of mobile apps and websites, a trend that the new tax regime has intensified because online operations now carry higher duty burdens than before, and the result is a dual squeeze on both physical and digital profitability.

Industry-Wide Context

Competitor announcements over recent months have followed a comparable pattern, with each firm reducing its shop count by varying percentages and citing the same tax-related cost increases, and this coordinated movement has left the overall number of betting shops in the UK and Ireland on a downward trajectory that began several years earlier but has quickened since the budget changes took hold.

Flutter Entertainment's retail strategy continues to prioritise locations with stronger footfall and higher transaction volumes, while underperforming sites are earmarked for closure, and the company has stated that the remaining estate will be optimised for efficiency and customer experience once the current programme concludes.

Timeline and Next Steps

The consultation process is expected to run through the autumn of 2026, with initial closures anticipated to begin before the end of the year, and updates will be provided to staff and stakeholders as individual site decisions are finalised, and the company has committed to supporting employees through any transition period with appropriate packages and outplacement assistance where required.

Conclusion

The Paddy Power announcement illustrates how recent tax adjustments are reshaping the retail betting landscape in both the UK and Ireland, prompting operators to streamline their physical presence while attempting to safeguard as many roles as possible through redeployment and consultation, and the coming months will reveal the full extent of these changes across the wider sector.