Entain Closes Irish Ladbrokes Stores as Sales Talks Fail to Progress

(AsiaGameHub) –   Entain hasn’t made any progress toward selling its Irish Ladbrokes assets, as discussions about a potential sale concluded without an agreement, SBC News has learned.

Last June, reports emerged that Entain was considering offloading its Irish Ladbrokes assets to Irish bookmaker Bar One Racing. SBC News understands these talks ultimately fizzled out with no resolution.

Multiple sources have reported, and Entain has confirmed, that the company is moving forward with closing several shops in Ireland.

A source also noted that Ladbrokes Ireland has kept closures to a minimum so far. This week’s store adjustments come amid broader restructuring efforts across the UK and Irish betting and gaming sectors.

“We regularly assess our retail locations to ensure our business remains competitive and financially viable,” a Ladbrokes spokesperson told SBC News.

“These planned closures in the Republic of Ireland are not a decision we take lightly; they reflect ongoing cost pressures, long-term shifts in customer behavior, and the growing competitive threat from the unlicensed market.

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

Reviews underway

Ladbrokes currently operates over 2,700 locations across the UK and Ireland, including 108 active shops in Ireland and 66 in Northern Ireland.

However, Entain’s latest financial report revealed that total UK&I retail revenue fell 2% year-over-year, while sports betting revenue across its retail estate dropped by 3%.

While the UK and Ireland are separate markets with distinct legislative and regulatory frameworks for gambling, they are closely intertwined, with several of the same firms active in both—Entain, Flutter, evoke, Super Group, and bet365, to name a few.

April 1 marks the first day the Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) rises from 21% to 40%, as promised by UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves in last November’s Autumn Budget. This time next year, the General Betting Duty (GBD) will also increase from 15% to 25%.

Against the backdrop of the UK’s current tax landscape, Entain’s decision to close part of its UK&I retail portfolio aligns with a broader cost-cutting trend in the market. The firm is not alone in reviewing its options amid mounting financial pressure.

William Hill owner evoke has chosen to close over 200 UK shops as part of a group-wide strategic review launched in December 2025—one month after the tax hikes were announced.

Flutter Entertainment is also exploring mitigation measures, with a restructuring of Paddy Power’s marketing department revealed to SBC News last week.