William Hill Shutting Stores, Paddy Power Big Hiring Plans

Just as the United Kingdom’s second largest bookmaker, William Hill, plans to downsize a bit, the country’s third largest, Paddy Power, expects to begin hiring a few hundred people in the coming year.

Ireland’s largest betting firm said last month it will bring total employment in its Irish operations to 2,210 while, internationally, Paddy Power’s expansion will generate a total of 1,440 new jobs in Ireland, Australia and the UK.

The William Hill bookmaking chain, meanwhile, is set to close 20 of its underperforming shops, threatening the future of 85 jobs.

Staff in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Tralee and Wexford have been informed and a two-month consultation process will begin in the new year, according to a company statement.

Another 51 shops, including some in Northern Ireland, are unaffected by the closures.

Gala Coral also announced plans to bolster its staff over the coming months. 

- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com Contributed to This Report