Entain has announced the impending closure of 45 Ladbrokes betting shops across Ireland, following unsuccessful negotiations to sell its Irish operations. This decision will affect 39 locations in the Republic of Ireland and six in Northern Ireland, potentially putting around 250 jobs at risk, including 226 in the Republic.
The closures come as retail performance continues to decline. Recent financial reports from Entain reveal a 2% drop in retail revenue across the UK and Ireland for 2025, with a 3% decrease in sports betting revenue from physical outlets. These trends suggest a significant shift in customer behavior, with more gambling activities moving online.
While Ladbrokes had considered exiting the Irish market, talks with Bar One Racing, based in Dundalk, did not culminate in a deal. Although discussions were reportedly advanced last year, sources confirm that they have now concluded without a transaction.
This move will significantly reduce Ladbrokes' physical footprint in Ireland, where it previously operated around 108 shops in the Republic and 66 in Northern Ireland. Despite the closure of six shops in the north, the company has stated that it will maintain over 50 locations there after the restructuring.
Entain's decision is attributed to a mix of structural challenges and competitive pressures. A spokesperson for the company emphasized, “These planned closures in the Republic of Ireland are not a decision we take lightly. They reflect ongoing cost pressures, long-term changes in customer behavior, and the increasing competitive threat from unlicensed markets.”
The company aims to engage constructively with employees throughout the consultation process, focusing on redeployment where feasible. Entain remains committed to its operations in Ireland and aims to maintain a sustainable retail presence.
The closures are part of a wider evaluation of Entain’s retail network to enhance competitiveness amid rising costs and changing customer preferences. The company also plans to redeploy affected staff when possible.
In the UK, tax increases have further strained operations, with the Remote Gaming Duty rising from 21% to 40% as of April 1, and the General Betting Duty set to increase from 15% to 25% next year.
Other major operators are also implementing cost-cutting strategies. Evoke, which owns William Hill, plans to close over 200 shops in the UK following a strategic review initiated in December 2025. Flutter Entertainment is also assessing strategies to mitigate costs, including restructuring within its Paddy Power division.
Despite being regulated separately, the UK and Irish betting markets are closely linked, with companies like Entain, Flutter, Super Group, Evoke, and bet365 operating in both regions.
Currently, Entain manages over 2,700 establishments across the UK and Ireland, with Ladbrokes as part of a portfolio that includes Coral, bwin, Partypoker, Sportingbet, and Foxy Bingo. The group acquired Ladbrokes in 2018.
These latest closures follow previous restructuring efforts within the Irish business, as Ladbrokes Ireland entered examinership in 2015, leading to the closure of 60 of its 196 shops at that time.