Retail betting shops across Ireland are shutting down at an alarming rate, with industry representatives warning of a growing crisis driven by rising taxes, increasing costs, and shifting consumer behaviour. The Irish Bookmakers Association (IBA) is urging the Government to reconsider any decision to raise betting tax in the upcoming Budget 2026, warning that it could result in hundreds more shop closures and thousands of job losses.
According to the IBA, there are now just 721 licensed betting shops operating in Ireland, down significantly from previous years. A recent press release from the Association states that since the doubling of the betting duty from 1% to 2%, Ireland has seen 138 betting shops close their doors, with a further 10 closures already recorded this year alone. The closures have directly resulted in over 700 job losses, many affecting rural towns and small communities.
Sharon Byrne, Chairperson of the Irish Bookmakers Association, told SiGMA News that the decline in betting shops is a complex issue influenced by multiple factors. While acknowledging the broader shift to online betting, Byrne was clear that policy decisions have had a significant impact: shop closures had stabilised well before 2019, but the doubling of the betting duty since then has dramatically accelerated closures.
She continued: This financial strain, combined with rising operational costs, has pushed many licensed operators to the brink.
The introduction of the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has been broadly welcomed by the sector. The newly established Gambling Regulatory Authority, which the IBA and its members fully support and welcome, will introduce substantial compliance costs over time, Byrne said. It is essential that these costs are fair and take into account the total tax contribution made by the sector.
The Association . Our own forecasts suggest that if the betting tax is increased further in the upcoming Budget 2026, we could face an additional 200 to 250 shop closures and a devastating 1,000 to 1,250 job losses, the press release said. This is a scenario that threatens not only the livelihoods of thousands of workers but also the economic and social fabric of many towns across Ireland.
In addition to the impact on employment and communities, the IBA is concerned about the broader consequences of an overly aggressive tax and regulatory framework.
Without sustainable tax and regulatory frameworks, shops face closure, jobs are lost, and customers are driven towards unregulated black-market operators, undermining both consumer protection and state revenues, Byrne said.
The Associations press release echoed this warning, stating: Increasing the betting tax will undoubtedly cause many more licensed operators to close. This risks accelerating the migration of customers to unregulated black-market operators. Such a shift undermines consumer protections and reduces tax compliance.
Byrne emphasised that retail betting shops remain a relevant and important presence in Irish towns. Licensed betting shops remain an important part of the social fabric in many towns and communities, she said. Betting shops appeal to a broad range of adult demographics who enjoy both having a bet and the social experience that the betting shop environment, staff, and other customers provide.
The industry is now calling for urgent intervention from policymakers. Since our call to maintain the betting duty at 2%, we have actively engaged with policymakers, providing data and insights to support informed decision-making, Byrne said. We remain dedicated to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure a sustainable and responsible gambling sector in Ireland.
The IBA concludes its press release with a direct appeal: We urge the Government to maintain the betting duty at its current 2% rate in Budget 2026. Doing so will protect jobs, support local communities, uphold consumer protections, and preserve vital tax revenues from a licensed sector that plays a key role in Irelands economy.