A related subject.
I believe that when PaddyPower pay a cash-back out (they offer several each week on sports event) then these paybacks do not affect the affiliates totals - they're done as a form of credit that carries no affiliate charge.
I've seen this posted in a forum (either here at the GPWA or CAP) by a PaddyPower staff member. And during the last world cup I certainly saw that rev-share was NOT affected by the cash back results.
Now I don't
know if that also relates to the promotional "early payout" you are discussing here - but I believe its possible to do the same thing.
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Additionally, I think that this early payout has been done to limit losses, because I do not believe many people backed Manchester United to win three trophies yet ... and so the payout is small.
But given the events of the last weekend - where the Premier League now looks wrapped up - then if United can get past Inter Milan (and Jose Mourinho) in the Champions League then it would all be on ... and people would be piling in.
If PaddyPower pulled the offer and closed the book saying no more bets - there would be squeals of disgust from punters - and if they left it open then they would have a huge potential exposure.
This way - Paddy Power can limit the damage to only the early punters who took it - and look good doing it.
