Punters bet on U.S. Gambling Legalisation

DUBLIN, May 8 /PRNewswire/ --     Leading European bookmaker Paddy Power is 
offering odds on the possible
legalisation of internet gambling in the US. There is increasing speculation
that overseas companies may return to the US if a newly drafted online gaming
bill by Republican Barney Frank gains the required cross-party support.



    Paddy Power are offering odds of 4/7 that the Online Gaming Bill for
poker will get the green light and be signed into law by President Obama in
2009. They are also offering odds of 6/4 that the Online Gaming Bill for
sports betting will be signed into law during Obama's first term.



    Paddy Power said "Punters seem to think that Presidents Obama's fondness
for playing poker may help get the gaming bill over the line. We've taken so
many bets so far that we're already looking at a payout in excess of
EUR10,000 (USD$14,700) should the online poker bill getting the thumbs up by
the end of the year."



    The cheeky bookie is also offering bets on which American State will
first veto the bill should it be successfully passed into legalisation. Bible
bashing Utah is the 2/1 favourite following by Nevada at 4/1.


    
    Online Gambling Bill

    4/7 Online Gambling Bill (Poker) to be signed into law by President Obama
        in 2009
    6/4 Online Gambling Bill (Sports Betting) to be signed into law during
        President Obama's first term
    
    First State to opt out if Bill is passed
    
    2/1 Utah
    4/1 Nevada
    6/1 New Jersey
    6/1 Texas
    8/1 Louisiana
    8/1 Tennessee
    10/1 Arizona
    16/1 Pennsylvania
    20/1 California
    20/1 Illinois
    25/1 Florida
    25/1 New Mexico
    33/1 New York
    33/1 Washington DC
    33/1 Massachusetts






    About Paddy Power plc - Paddy Power, founded in 1988 by the merger of
three existing Irish high street bookmakers, is listed on both the Irish and
London stock exchanges. Since launching their online betting portal,
paddypower.com, in 2000, they have emerged as one of the leading European
gaming brands. In that time, Paddy Power's online gaming business has
extended its offering to poker, casino, financial spread betting, skill and
fixed odds gaming products. Paddy Power takes an unconventional approach to
betting and gaming believing them to be firmly rooted in the leisure and
entertainment space. As such its mission is to make betting fun. The company
is renowned for their inventive marketing and advertising campaigns.


    
    For more information contact;

    Ken Robertson,
    Paddy Power plc,
    Tel: [phone],
    Mob: [phone].