Entain to Shutter Over One-Third of Irish Ladbrokes Estate Following Failed Divestment Negotiations

Entain confirms the closure of 39 Ladbrokes locations in Ireland by May 2026, affecting over 200 jobs following a collapsed deal with Bar One Racing.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 10:56 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from iGaming Business

The Collapse of the Irish Retail Sale

Entain’s decision to drastically reduce its physical footprint in Ireland follows the breakdown of high-level negotiations regarding the sale of its entire Ladbrokes retail estate. Last year, the gaming giant entered discussions with Bar One Racing to divest its Irish operations, but those talks concluded without a formal agreement. With a complete exit no longer on the table, Entain has opted for a significant contraction instead, targeting the closure of over one-third of its approximately 100 locations across the Republic of Ireland.

Employment Risks and Consultation Timelines

The planned closures place approximately 226 jobs at risk, though the final figure remains subject to ongoing formal consultations. Entain has stated that its priority is to engage constructively with impacted staff, with a strong emphasis on redeploying workers where possible within its remaining network. The company aims to complete the shuttering of these 39 shops by the end of May 2026. Once the process is finalized, Ladbrokes will maintain a slimmed-down presence of 66 shops in the Irish market, employing roughly 350 people.

Strategic Retraction Amid Market Pressures

According to a spokesperson for Ladbrokes, the decision to close these locations was driven by a combination of sustained cost pressures and long-term changes in customer behavior. The rise of digital platforms has fundamentally altered how patrons engage with sports betting, leaving many traditional brick-and-mortar shops financially unsustainable. Furthermore, the company cited the growing competitive threat from the unlicensed market as a key factor in its decision to consolidate its retail footprint into a more manageable and responsible scale.