Flutter Entertainment has confirmed that up to 100 Paddy Power betting shops are under review as the company moves to cut costs amid rising tax pressures.
The parent company of Paddy Power cited the near-doubling of remote gaming duty as a key driver behind the potential closures and redundancies.
Flutter stated that approximately 400 roles could potentially be put at risk of redundancy as it implements measures to offset the impact of higher gambling taxes.
The threatened closures would represent roughly a fifth of Paddy Power’s entire retail estate across the UK and Ireland.
Paddy Power currently operates 506 betting shops across the UK and Ireland, with 310 located in Britain and Northern Ireland employing 1,374 staff.
A further 196 shops operate in the Republic of Ireland, employing an additional 935 people across the country.
Flutter cited rising energy costs, rents, rates, and the higher gambling taxes announced in the UK’s previous budget as central pressures forcing the review.
“We are incredibly proud of our high street estate, and it remains a key part of our business in communities across the UK and Ireland,” a Flutter UK and Ireland spokesperson said.
“Unfortunately, we have had to take the extremely difficult decision to conduct this review,” the spokesperson added, acknowledging the difficulty of the announcement for staff.
Flutter said impacted employees would be redeployed where possible, with close consultation and support promised throughout the process.
The announcement follows the closure of 57 Paddy Power betting shops in October 2025, marking a sustained period of retail contraction for the brand.
Flutter also reported a significant financial swing, with a $37 million profit turning into a $296 million loss year-on-year following tough Q2 trading results.
It was also confirmed that Chief Executive Officer Peter Jackson will depart, with Flutter International CEO and President Dan Taylor set to replace him.
A consultation process to finalise which locations will close is expected to begin in September 2026, though specific affected shops have not yet been named.
Paddy Power is far from alone in shrinking its retail presence, with Betfred announcing 132 shop closures and Evoke moving to cut William Hill locations following the same 2025 tax changes.
The wave of closures is expected to reduce income for British horse racing through lost levy contributions and media rights payments across the industry.
