Irish Betting Shops Continue to Close: Why Increasing Betting Tax Would Threaten Jobs and Licensed Operators Across Ireland
Ireland’s retail betting sector faces a critical crossroads as shop numbers fall to just 721 nationwide. Since 2019, over 134 shops have closed, costing more than 700 jobs and threatening the viability of local businesses. With Budget 2026 approaching, increasing the betting tax risks further closures, thousands of job losses, and growth of the unregulated black market. It’s vital the Government maintains the current betting duty rate to protect jobs and uphold consumer protections.
