Paddy Power Shuts 28 Shops as Major Restructure Unfolds
Paddy Power is set to reduce its retail network in Ireland with the planned closure of 28 betting shops, a decision expected to affect 119 employees. The move is part of a broader cost-cutting and restructuring strategy from parent company Flutter UKI, which oversees some of the gambling industry’s most recognized brands.
Across the UK and Ireland, Flutter has announced a total of 57 shop closures, following an extensive review of its high-street performance. The company is responding to changing player preferences and the accelerating migration from in-person betting to online platforms.
In addition to the physical store closures, the restructuring will also involve job reductions across multiple brands in the Flutter portfolio, including Sky Betting and Gaming, Betfair and Paddy Power itself. Around 220 positions are expected to be impacted as the group consolidates operations.
Leadership Reshuffle to Support the Shift
The operational overhaul follows several senior management changes designed to streamline Flutter UKI’s structure. In June 2025, Ben Reilly was named Chief Commercial Officer, taking on responsibilities previously shared by Steve Birch of Sky Bet and David Newton of Paddy Power. Both executives are scheduled to leave the company by year’s end.
CEO Kevin Harrington, who assumed leadership of Flutter UKI in November 2024, now oversees this strategic transformation. The focus remains on modernizing operations while balancing the company’s retail roots with its increasingly digital customer base.
Paddy Power has stated that it will work to redeploy staff affected by the closures where possible but admitted that some redundancies are unavoidable. While retail remains a core part of its brand, the company emphasized the need for innovation and investment to keep up with market evolution.
Strategic Focus: Closing Stores but Expanding Reach
Despite the reduction in physical locations, Paddy Power continues to strengthen its market presence through high-profile partnerships and new ventures. In September, it became the official sportsbook partner of the National Football League (NFL) in the UK and Ireland a move aimed at expanding its footprint in the sports betting space.
Soon after, Paddy Power unveiled “Paddy’s Sportsbook” inside London’s iconic Hippodrome Casino, blending the retail and entertainment experience to attract both regular bettors and new audiences.
These initiatives signal the brand’s commitment to growth, even as it optimizes its high-street operations.
A Shifting Betting Landscape
The closures reflect broader trends and pressures within the betting industry. Competitors like William Hill, owned by Evoke, have also indicated they may close up to 200 shops in response to potential tax increases on gambling operators in the UK.
For Flutter, the current restructuring is seen as a proactive step to protect profitability and adapt to regulatory and market changes.
As the group reshapes its retail strategy, it faces the challenge of maintaining a meaningful presence on the high street while capturing continued growth in digital betting.
