Paddy Power offering wagers on oil spill

[The Buzz]

Never one to shy away from a major news story, Irish bookmaker Paddy Power is posting odds on what species would be first to become extinct as a result of the major BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

From The New York Times:

Odds are the Kemp's ridley turtle, and endangered species that migrates to the Gulf this time of year, would go first. A $5 bet on the turtle would win $9 if it's listed as extinct at any time because of the spill. Less likely species -- the gulf sturgeon, smalltooth sawfish and elkhorn coral -- have payout rates of 20-to-1.

In a statement announcing the extinction pool, the Irish bookmaker said it hoped the betting would "highlight the environmental catastrophe" and the "sure bet" that it would lead to the loss of some marine species.

"We kind of have a very simple philosophy at Paddy Power -- within reason if there is a very newsworthy event that are people are talking about, people should be allowed to back up their opinion with some cash," said Ken Robertson, a company spokesman.

The full odds can be found here:

http://www.paddypower.com/bet?action...come%20extinct

[Adamvv]

I can understand offering wagering opportunities on controversial matters to increase hype surrounding a bookmaker, but this may have gone too far.

This is a disaster, and looking to profit from the loss of life and ultimate extinction of a species rubs me the wrong way.

Thumbs down on this one.

[Professor]

This is in extremely poor taste. I live in Florida and our state relies on tourist income to survive, our beaches and our fishing are in jeopardy. As Adamvv said this is a disaster and taking bets on how extensive the damage will be is aweful.

Paddy deserves a sound whack on the head with a shillelagh for this one.

[mobilebadboy]

Agreed. I'm in one of the 2 coastal counties of Alabama. As with Florida, the beaches and fishing are key economic factors for this state. I know quite a few people who rely on these waters (oyster farming, charter fishing, general fishing, etc) to support themselves and their familes and they have been hit hard by this.

[MarkJohn]

Yes, I have to go ahead and click the virtual "Dislike" button on this one. When I see things that I believe are in poor taste, I'll often bite my tongue as, well, to each their own. But this is just going a little (perhaps a lot) to far. Profiting from this disaster is really just sad. I'm sorry to see it's happening.

[GCG]

PP anything for the money ?

I was about to signup with the paddy power gang but this changed my mind, tasteless wagering promo IMO.

Such sponsors should be delisted for offering/taking bets on environmental and natural disasters, animal cruelty and people's grieves.


I would rather take a shovel and burry Paddy Power under a layer of oily muck, you bunch of insane Idiots !!

[universal4]

Well I still think trying to make a joke of the confessional was in more poor taste than this, but this runs a close second to it....

Geez, if we have any hurricanes in Florida this year, what's next, they take bets on how many families lose loved ones?

Rick
Universal4

[Miss B]

The oil spill is a catastrophe, not a scheme to profit from. This is a real disappointment from Paddy Power. I would expect better sense from one of the world’s leading bookmakers.

[Chips]

Not surprised at all that PP did this. This just hit my inbox:

Hi guys,

Offering odds on airports closing this Summer is proving to be very effective in taking the risk out of an ash spoilt holiday.

Travellers (no, not those kind of "travellers") are taking the sting out of a cancelled trip, hedging their holidays with Paddy Power.


Banners & textlinks (Media ID 3382 & 3383) to support the new holiday protection productare live in the Media Gallery's Novelty section now.

In case you missed it the first time, here's a Press Release outlining how it works.

Get in on the Ash-tion - Get your banners & links up and
Make Cash from Ash today!

Cheers!
Paddy's Affiliates
affiliates@paddypower.com

I am leaning on the removal of the poker room and casino from my sites, not that I made diddly with them anyway but attempting to capitalize on the misfortune of others is not a bit comical.

[MarkJohn]

While Paddy Power may be trying to profit off of the disaster, the guy behind this Twitter feed is raising money for healthygulf.org while amusing us all: http://twitter.com/BPGlobalPR

[casinogod]

Now I have seen it all, gotta admit the holiday one is kinda funny. If I was flying I might even take a bet myself seems much more chance of getting cash from a bookie than a travel agent or airline right now.

Not surprised at all that PP did this. This just hit my inbox:



I am leaning on the removal of the poker room and casino from my sites, not that I made diddly with them anyway but attempting to capitalize on the misfortune of others is not a bit comical.

[LuckyLizzy]

seams like paddy will do just about anything for publicity..I really like the Irish theme of the brand but this really turns me off.