Bookmaker Paddy Power Refunds Chelsea Bets from the CL Semis

By: Laurie | May 8th, 2009

When it comes to publicity stunts to create fan loyalty, this has to be one of the best we’ve seen. Paddy Power, the quirky Irish bookmakers, are refunding Chelsea fans’ bets on Wednesday’s controversial Champions League loss against Barcelona.

The statement read, “We’re guessing most Chelsea fans are about as happy about last night’s goings on as Didier “IT’S A F**KING DISGRACE” Drogba. So we’re refunding all bets on Chelsea to win last night’s match and reach the final of the Champions League!”

In their effort to meet customer demands, Paddy Power are also giving users the opportunity to vote on what they would like other money-back specials to be on forthcoming football matches.

Brilliant PR move, especially since Paddy Power probably needs fan loyalty from London a lot more than they do from Barcelona. How much do you want to bet (get it? it’s a bookmaker joke) that these same Chelsea fans are going to turn right around and put the money on Chelsea to beat Arsenal this weekend?

If this sounds a little…different, it’s because Paddy Power prides itself in being a different kind of bookmaker. Last year they even took wagers on the existence of God.

It began taking bets on the question that has plagued thinkers for centuries in September, to coincide with the switching on of the Large Hadron Collider that physicists hope may lead to the discovery of an elusive sub-atomic object called the “God particle”.

Initially the odds that proof would be found of God’s existence were 20-1, and they lengthened to 33-1 when the multi-billion pound atom smasher was shut down temporarily because of a magnetic failure.

In a marginally related note, Paddy Power is offering 13-8 odds that Didier Drogba will get a European ban of five or more games for his post-game tirade. I’d say that’s a good bet.

Some Related Stories:

Category: Champions League, World Football

« Weekend Predictions: The 5th Old Firm Derby of the Season, Fergie vs Sparky and the Return of Drogbacite | Home | DC United Takes to the Streets to Try to Keep the Team in DC »

The Offside RSS Feeds

Aaron

i didnt't understand these accusations at all.
Rob

Laurie's right basically. Its a ridiculously see-through move to get them a few press pages.
Laurie

Probably should have known about the "official betting partner" thing. Mea culpa, my bad, apologies.

But my point is simply that there are business reasons to do this, and Paddy Power is has canny business acumen. They will gain from this in the long run.
areallaticfromthesouth

Why dont you, Daryl and Chris open up a Paddy Power account and considering THE OFFSIDE is well known as a hater of Chelsea FC, you might win a few bucks or get refunds.. SIMPLES

KTBFFH
areallaticfromthesouth

Biases or not... do your research first SIMPLES and welcome to the club?!?!
Laurie

Wow. I hardly ever get accused of biases I don't have! It's usually just Chris and Daryl*. I feel like such a member of the club now! :-D

*Although technically Chris is mostly accused of biases he DOES have. Like, y'know, CR7. It's Daryl who usually gets accused of biases he doesn't have.

But the thought still holds.
areallaticfromthesouth

Nice little dig at Chelsea and Paddy Power Laurie.... but what you have failed to research is that Paddy Power is the official betting partner of Chelsea Football Club and there has been a season long competition between Paddy Power and Chelsea legend Kerry Dixon (who!!! I hear you ask) on all Chelsea's results this season. Check out chelseafc.com to get more info.

SIMPLES