Betfred plans to close 132 betting shops, cutting over 600 jobs

Bookmaker Betfred opened a consultation on 31 July 2026 on closing 132 betting shops and cutting more than 600 roles from September 2026, affecting more than a tenth of its estate and leaving it with around 1,100 shops. Chief executive Joanne Whittaker said the decision was taken with 'deep regret' and pointed to a combination of cost pressures: remote gaming duty rose from 21% to 40% on 1 April 2026, and a separate 25% rate on remote betting follows on 1 April 2027. The move follows comparable shop closures by rivals Entain (Ladbrokes) and Evoke (William Hill).