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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Paddy Power gears up expansion plan after strong results | Paddy Power gears up expansion plan after strong results |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Irish bookmaker Paddy Power is set to open 45 new betting shops across the UK by the end of the year, as it gears up its expansion plans after another strong set of results. | Irish bookmaker Paddy Power is set to open 45 new betting shops across the UK by the end of the year, as it gears up its expansion plans after another strong set of results. |
| Revenues at the company increased 23% between July and mid-November compared with the same period last year, despite a slowdown during the Olympics, which had strict betting rules, and poor weather leading to some racing cancellations. | Revenues at the company increased 23% between July and mid-November compared with the same period last year, despite a slowdown during the Olympics, which had strict betting rules, and poor weather leading to some racing cancellations. |
| The boost was helped by sporting results going in the bookmaker's favour, with gross winnings above its expectations. | The boost was helped by sporting results going in the bookmaker's favour, with gross winnings above its expectations. |
| In Australia, its biggest online market after it bought Sportsbet in December 2010, revenues rose 25% over the period, with mobile phone bets accounting for 27% of total wagers made. | In Australia, its biggest online market after it bought Sportsbet in December 2010, revenues rose 25% over the period, with mobile phone bets accounting for 27% of total wagers made. |
| In the UK, like-for-like sales were up 5%, with sports book growth of 12%. However, revenues from gaming machines declined 4%. | In the UK, like-for-like sales were up 5%, with sports book growth of 12%. However, revenues from gaming machines declined 4%. |
| These include controversial fixed odds betting terminals, where gamblers can bet up to £100 every 30 seconds. According to research, punters lost £1bn on the machines last year, which has led to calls from politicians for them to be banned. | These include controversial fixed odds betting terminals, where gamblers can bet up to £100 every 30 seconds. According to research, punters lost £1bn on the machines last year, which has led to calls from politicians for them to be banned. |
| The strong growth means the company will open 45 stores in the UK this year, 10 more than expected. | The strong growth means the company will open 45 stores in the UK this year, 10 more than expected. |
| However, there have been concerns raised that Britain's high streets are becoming overcrowded with betting shops. | However, there have been concerns raised that Britain's high streets are becoming overcrowded with betting shops. |
| A report by MPs earlier this year said the 2005 Gambling Act brought "unintended consequence of encouraging the clustering of betting shops in some high streets". Research found the clustering was particularly high in poorer areas of towns and cities. | A report by MPs earlier this year said the 2005 Gambling Act brought "unintended consequence of encouraging the clustering of betting shops in some high streets". Research found the clustering was particularly high in poorer areas of towns and cities. |
| Labour's deputy leader, Harriet Harman, who as culture spokeswoman is in charge of the party's gambling policy, said it had "made a mistake" by liberalising gaming licences. | Labour's deputy leader, Harriet Harman, who as culture spokeswoman is in charge of the party's gambling policy, said it had "made a mistake" by liberalising gaming licences. |
| Paddy Power, however, continues to go from strength-to-strength with its penchant for ambush marketing. | Paddy Power, however, continues to go from strength-to-strength with its penchant for ambush marketing. |
| It won a battle with the London 2012 Olympic organisers over an advertising campaign that Locog said was in breach of strict rules for non-sponsors trying to affiliate themselves with the Games. | It won a battle with the London 2012 Olympic organisers over an advertising campaign that Locog said was in breach of strict rules for non-sponsors trying to affiliate themselves with the Games. |
| Paddy Power's ad proclaimed it was the "Official sponsor of the largest athletics event in London this year! There you go, we said it." It then went on to reveal that the sponsorship was of an egg and spoon race to be held in the town of London in France. | Paddy Power's ad proclaimed it was the "Official sponsor of the largest athletics event in London this year! There you go, we said it." It then went on to reveal that the sponsorship was of an egg and spoon race to be held in the town of London in France. |
| It also posted underwear to various football teams competing at the Euro 2012 championships, where it was not a sponsor. | It also posted underwear to various football teams competing at the Euro 2012 championships, where it was not a sponsor. |
| Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner showed off his pair after scoring, revealing Paddy Power's name to those watching, and was fined £80,000. | Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner showed off his pair after scoring, revealing Paddy Power's name to those watching, and was fined £80,000. |
| The controversy – and Paddy Power's image – stayed in the news after Bendtner pointed out a fine for racism by Spanish and Russian fans during the tournament was only £40,000. | The controversy – and Paddy Power's image – stayed in the news after Bendtner pointed out a fine for racism by Spanish and Russian fans during the tournament was only £40,000. |
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