Paddy Power
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the former Irish politician of the same name, see: Paddy Power (politician).
Paddy Power is Ireland’s largest bookmaker. Offline it conducts business through a chain of licensed betting offices and by operating Ireland's largest telephone betting service. Online they offer sports betting, online poker, online bingo and online casino games.
Paddy Power was founded in 1988 by the merger of three existing Irish high street bookmakers. The company also markets its services in the UK and is a publicly quoted company, listed on the Irish and UK Stock Exchanges.
Paddy Power's stated mission is to make ‘risk-based’ entertainment more accessible and fun. To this end, Paddy Power has a reputation for funny and often controversial advertising.
At the end of 2005 Paddy Power operated 195 outlets (150 in Ireland and 45 in the UK). The total number of employees was 1,374. Turnover for 2005 was €1,371.7 million, up 18.3% on 2004. Operating profit fell 3.2%% to €30.1 million in the same year. Market capitalisation at 1 June 2006 was €728.9m.
