Ladbrokes Ireland Posts €300k Profit After Major Cost-Cutting and Shop Closures
The Irish division of the bookmaker reversed a 2024 loss through significant reductions in operating expenses, including staff cuts and the closure of 39 retail locations, while relying on financial guarantees from parent company Entain.
- Ladbrokes Ireland recorded a €300,000 profit for 2025, turning around a €1.3 million loss from the previous year despite a fall in revenue.
- Profitability was driven by cost-saving measures, including the closure of 39 betting shops, representing 37% of its Irish retail estate.
- Parent company Entain has guaranteed financial support for the division, which remains in a net liability position.
Ladbrokes’ Irish business unit returned to profitability in 2025, posting a profit of €300,000 following a €1.3 million (£1.1m) loss in the prior year. The turnaround was achieved despite a decline in revenue, which fell to €33.2 million from €36.8 million in 2024, indicating that the positive result was driven by significant cost-saving initiatives.
The company’s financial statements show that operating expenses were reduced by nearly €4 million, dropping to €21.5 million from €25.2 million year-on-year. This included a decrease in staff costs from €15.4 million to €14.2 million, as the average monthly headcount for the period fell from 542 to 526 employees.
Retail Restructuring
A key part of the strategy involved a substantial reduction of the company’s retail footprint. Earlier this year, parent company Entain, which operates the shops, took the decision to close 39 Ladbrokes locations across Ireland. This move eliminated 37% of the bookmaker's entire Irish retail portfolio. The closures will leave Ladbrokes with a presence of around 65 shops, a sharp decline from the 143 branches it operated in 2017.
sustained cost pressures, long‑term changes in customer behaviour and the growing competitive threat from the unlicensed market
Reliance on Parent Company
Despite the return to profit, the Irish division’s financial position remains challenging. The company entered a net liability position in 2023 after an impairment of its fixed assets, and its net current liabilities grew from €8.9 million in 2024 to €11.1 million in 2025. The business continues to operate with the financial backing of its parent group.
Entain has provided assurances that it will not demand immediate repayment of the €6.4 million that Ladbrokes Ireland owes to group entities. Furthermore, the parent company has stated it will make funds available as needed for at least the next 12 months and for the "foreseeable future" to ensure the Irish operation can meet its liabilities. This support is provided amid a difficult period for Entain itself, whose share price has fallen by 45% year-to-date.
While its retail presence has been scaled back, Ladbrokes maintains a position in the digital market, with its online service ranked fourth in Ireland by web traffic, according to data from Blask. Independent auditors from KPMG reviewed the company’s accounts, verifying that they are fully compliant with Irish law and the FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework.
