Betfred has said it plans to shut 132 shops and cut more than 600 jobs from September, as the gambling firm blamed higher taxes and economic uncertainty. The company said it has launched a consultation over the closures, which will hit more than a tenth of its betting shops. Rival gambling operators Paddy Power and William Hill have also shut dozens of stores over the past year. Last October, Paddy Power revealed plans to shut 57 betting shops across the UK and Ireland, in a move which put 250 workers at risk. Betfred also highlighted pressure from other tax increases including the rise in National Insurance contributions and changes to thresholds.