Entain To Close 39 Ladbrokes Shops Across Ireland

Entain will close 39 Ladbrokes shops in Ireland, reducing its retail estate by over a third. The company currently operates around 100 locations in the country.

The closures could affect up to 226 employees, subject to a consultation process. Entain expects to complete the shutdowns by the end of May 2026.

A Ladbrokes spokesperson said: “We continually review our retail estate to ensure our business remains competitive and financially sustainable.

“Our priority now is to engage constructively with colleagues throughout the consultation process, with a strong focus on redeployment wherever possible. Ladbrokes remains committed to Ireland and to operating responsibly within a sustainable retail footprint.”

Following the changes, Ladbrokes will retain 66 shops in Ireland and continue to employ more than 350 staff.

Sale talks collapse as operator shifts strategy

The decision follows failed discussions to sell the Irish retail business last year. Entain had been in talks with Bar One Racing regarding a potential deal.

Negotiations ended without agreement, according to reports from The Racing Post on 31 March. The outcome has led Entain to pursue a restructuring approach instead of a full exit from the market.

Cost pressures and market competition drive closures

Entain linked the decision to a combination of financial and market factors. The company pointed to rising operating costs, changing customer behaviour and increased competition from unlicensed operators.

The spokesperson added: “These planned closures in the Republic of Ireland are not a decision we take lightly and reflect sustained cost pressures, long-term changes in customer behaviour and the growing competitive threat from the unlicensed market.”

Retail betting has faced a decline as more customers move to online platforms. 

Wider trend of betting shop closures continues

Evoke recently announced plans to close around 200 shops in the UK in May, as part of a strategic review linked to the remote gaming duty hike.

Flutter Entertainment also planned to reduce its retail presence last October, by closing 57 Paddy Power shops and laying off around 250 employees.

These decisions follow regulatory changes in the UK, including an increase in remote gaming duty from 21% to 40%. Operators are adjusting their retail operations as online betting expands and margins tighten.