Betfred to Shut 132 Shops and Cut 600 Jobs, Reportedly Eyes Pivot Into Slot Arcades
The closures mark the latest sign of mounting pressure on Britain's retail bookmakers, even as Betfred explores a new growth strategy.
Betfred plans to close 132 betting shops across the U.K., putting around 600 jobs at risk. The announcement provides the latest and largest sign that mounting tax burdens continue to squeeze Britain’s high street bookmaking sector.
The Warrington-based firm confirmed on July 31 that it had begun a consultation with staff over the closures, which represent just over 10% of its estate and will begin later this year.
Once Betfred completes the cuts, the company will operate about 1,100 shops, down from about 1,680 at its 2017 peak. Brothers Peter and Fred Done started the company in 1967, which now employs around 7,500 people. Even after the closures, Betfred will remain one of Britain’s largest retail bookmakers.
The closures will also affect horse racing. Each betting branch contributes about £30,000 annually through levy and media rights payments. That means the closure of 132 shops could cost the sport about £4 million each year.
Betfred Blames Rising Costs for Closures
In a statement to Sky News, Betfred Chief Executive Joanne Whittaker said the company made the decision after making extended efforts to keep the sites trading.
She said the company announced the closures “with deep regret.” Whittaker blamed the combined weight of higher employer National Insurance contributions, wage inflation, rising gambling taxes, and broader economic uncertainty.
Betfred described the affected branches as well-run shops managed by dedicated individuals. The company said it will now focus on supporting those affected and continuing to serve customers throughout the remainder of its network.
Years of Rising Costs Culminate in Shop Closures
The closures come against the backdrop of last fall’s budget. The budget increased costs for gambling operators through higher employer National Insurance contributions, wage increases and online gambling duties.
The government almost doubled the Remote Gaming Duty for online casino revenue from 21% to 40% in April 2026. Additionally, there are plans to raise online sports betting duty from 15% to 25% in April 2027.
In 2025, Fred Done warned that a tax increase of the kind under discussion would create the biggest threat the industry had faced during his decades in business. He warned that the increase could put Betfred’s entire estate and thousands of jobs at risk.
The financial pressure on the Done family extended beyond gambling taxes. Earlier this year, Fred Done moved his property group to Jersey.
Betfred does not stand alone, as other major operators have made similar announcements. William Hill is working to close about 200 branches, while Paddy Power plans to close 57 shops in the U.K. Ladbrokes shop closures across the island of Ireland have affected about 500 jobs.
Betfred Reportedly Explores Adult Gaming Centers
While Betfred reduces its betting shop footprint, the company is exploring a pivot into Adult Gaming Centers (AGCs), better known as slot arcades. According to NEXT.io, multiple sources indicate that Betfred plans to convert some existing betting shops into AGCs. However, the company has not made firm decisions on individual sites.
NEXT.io also reported that Betfred has acquired a small AGC operation with up to seven land-based venues as a route to obtaining the relevant licenses. AGCs can offer higher-stakes Category B gaming machines and use a different economic model from a traditional betting shop, which could generate more revenue from the same foot traffic.
The slot arcade sector also faces its own headwinds. Policy institutes have proposed doubling Machine Games Duty to 40%, which would pose a major threat to the sector. The political climate does not help either, as the U.K.’s new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, criticized AGCs while serving as Mayor of Manchester.
Even so, AGCs operate under a different commercial model that can generate higher revenue per location than traditional betting shops. That makes them an increasingly attractive alternative for bookmakers despite growing political scrutiny.
Featured Image: Mtaylor848 via Wikimedia Commons (license)
Gambling Insider delivers the latest industry news, in-depth features, and operator reviews that you can trust. Our team combines rigorous editorial standards with decades of specialized expertise to ensure accuracy and fairness. We are committed to delivering clear, impartial, and dependable coverage across the global gambling sector.
