Betfred has confirmed to SBC News that it is “taking a temporary pause” in Ireland amid wholesale regulatory changes in the market.

The move comes amid a regulatory shift in the country, with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) taking over online gambling licensing duties from next month. 

While some operators, such as Welsh bookmaker DragonBet, are only just making their first steps into Ireland, it seems heavyweights such as Betfred are shutting the door on it – admittedly temporarily in the Warrington-based firm’s case

To be fair, heavyweight may be a slight hyperbole when it comes to describing Betfred’s presence in Ireland. 

The company has a huge presence in the UK market, with a retail empire of over 1,300 physical shops and a very popular online sportsbook and casino, while also operating further beyond these shores in South Africa. 

Like many European companies it also tried its hand at the US betting space, but ultimately decided to wind this down in July last year.

In contrast to its huge UK high-street activity, Betfred does not have any retail presence in Ireland, and only went live in the country in the autumn of 2024. 

Betfred not the only operator to reduce Irish presence

Its temporary market withdrawal does however follow a recent trend of well-known global operators scaling back its operations in the country. 

In October 2025, Flutter Entertainment announced that it would be closing 28 of its Paddy Power shops in Ireland, while this year has seen the industry learn that Entain is keen on a sale of its Irish Ladbrokes assets. BoyleSports is also reported to be eyeing up potential buyers, though it has refused to comment on these rumours.

As with any decision made by the shrewd business mogul Fred Done, who, between himself and his brother Peter, has grown his wealth to over £3.6bn, these measures wouldn’t have been taken without thorough inspection. 

And it does not seem an ominous sign for the business, despite Done admitting that recent UK tax hikes could have a negative impact for Betfred’s business – and the UK sector as a whole for that matter. 

So far in 2026, it has reaffirmed its commitment to British horse racing with its continued sponsorship of all five Classics, expanded its deal with Sportradar in a welcome boost for the interior designs of its betting shops, and created a unique flagship event for the Betfred Super League’s Magic Weekend.

The rugby league action at the end of May, which took place at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, was followed up by a Betfred Fight Night next door at the OVO Arena. 

So it does seem that there are still funds available for Betfred to pursue opportunities, begging the question as to whether Ireland remains an attractive market for operators. 

As stated earlier, Ireland’s gambling industry has gone through, and is still undergoing, a time of change. 

The GRAI’s introduction coincides with drastic changes to Ireland’s iGaming regulations under the new Gambling Regulation Bill.  

Jim O’Callaghan, the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, has warned that regulators will be stepping up enforcement action on operators not complying to laws, while there has also been somewhat of a crackdown on advertising. 

For example, popular Irish bookie TonyBet recently had two of its YouTube adverts pulled after the Irish Advertising Standards Authority (IASA) found that they were in breach of advertising regulations. 

In fairness, the majority of European gambling markets now represent somewhat of a tricky regulatory path for operators to cross, and market withdrawals, both permanent and temporary, have been seen across various jurisdictions in recent months and years.

But Betfred’s temporary Irish withdrawal is just the latest example of operators in that particular country cooling down operations in a jurisdiction which is enforcing a new regulatory framework for the industry.

The company will reportedly honour ante-post bets placed by customers on the 2026 World Cup.