The Sports Bookie Blog

No Derren Allowed at Paddy Power

February 1st, 2008

Whether they’re your favourite bookie or not, you’ve got to admit that top Irish sportsbook, Paddy Power, is really good at working the media. It seems that anything goes to keep their sportsbetting brand top of mind – whether its ads that are “socially unacceptable” to the PC brigade (like using man breasts to promote bingo), web site ads depicting the Pope (who may well love a flutter!) or just leveraging off the media hype of others…

Here’s the latest from an Irish online news source:

Illusionist Brown Spooks Bookmaker

Derren Brown illusionist - photo courtesy Ireland on-line TV trickster Derren Brown has some bookies running for cover as he is set to reveal what he claims is a 100% system of winning at the races on television tonight.

Irish bookmakers Paddy Power are taking no chances ahead of racing’s busiest festival and have banned the illusionist from all of their London shops in the run up to Cheltenham.

To remind punters of how serious they are about keeping him away, the bookie has erected signs on all of its shop front doors with a clear message to the South London phenomenon: “No Derren Allowed”.

Paddy Power, the bookies’ head of communications, said: “Our London punters have a good track record at winning as it is without the help of Derren Brown. If his ‘system’ really works then we could potentially get cleaned out. All of our shop staff will be on high alert over the next few weeks!”