Flutter Entertainment is reviewing the future of as many as 100 Paddy Power betting shops across the UK and Ireland, putting approximately 400 jobs at risk as the gambling group responds to higher taxes and mounting pressure on its retail operations.
The review covers around one fifth of Paddy Power’s existing retail network. The bookmaker currently operates 196 shops in the Republic of Ireland and another 310 across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, according to reporting on the announcement. Together, those locations employ more than 2,300 people.
Flutter has not yet identified which shops could close. Employees affected by the review will go through a consultation process, while the company plans to offer transfers to other locations where suitable positions are available.
The operator said its decision reflects several pressures affecting high-street betting, including higher operating expenses, strong competition, wider economic uncertainty and the continuing migration of customers towards online gambling. Flutter nevertheless maintains that physical Paddy Power shops remain an important part of its UK and Ireland business.
Gambling Tax Increase Adds to Cost Pressure
The review comes after a major increase in UK gambling taxation introduced through the 2025 Budget.
Remote Gaming Duty rose from 21% to 40% on 1 April 2026, significantly increasing the tax burden on operators offering online casino products. The government will also introduce a 25% General Betting Duty rate for most remote betting from April 2027, although remote bets on UK horse racing will remain at 15%. Bets placed through self-service terminals inside licensed betting shops are also excluded from the new remote rate.
While the tax changes primarily concern online operations rather than bets placed over the counter, Flutter has been restructuring parts of its wider UK and Ireland business to offset the additional costs. The Paddy Power retail review forms part of that broader effort to protect margins as the company adjusts to the new tax environment.
Flutter had already reduced Paddy Power’s retail footprint in 2025, when it announced the closure of 57 shops across Britain and Ireland. That round included 28 locations in Great Britain, 28 in the Republic of Ireland and one in Northern Ireland, placing 247 roles at risk.
Flutter Balances Retail Cuts With UK Growth Plans
The latest restructuring comes shortly after a difficult quarterly result for Flutter. SBC News reported that the group moved from a $37 million profit in the comparable period to a $296 million loss in the second quarter of 2026. At the same time, revenue from the UK and Ireland division increased 4% year-on-year to $971 million.
Flutter has continued to target growth in the UK despite the higher tax burden, arguing that its scale gives it greater ability to absorb regulatory and operating costs than smaller competitors. Its main UK-facing brands include Paddy Power, Sky Bet and Betfair.
Paddy Power is also not alone in shrinking its physical estate. Other major bookmakers, including Betfred and operators behind established high-street brands such as William Hill, Ladbrokes and Coral, have been reviewing or closing shops as retail gambling faces rising costs and competition from digital channels.
For Flutter, the current review could represent another substantial reduction in Paddy Power’s physical presence. A final decision on individual shops has not yet been announced, leaving hundreds of employees awaiting the outcome of the consultation process.