It is said that St Patrick used the shamrock leaf to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish, but over the mists of time this symbol of Ireland has become somewhat mixed with luck and the four-leafed clover. Seamrog actually means little clover, and it is the three-lobed leaf of the white clover that is usually thought to be the original shamrock. The tradition of wearing the shamrock can be traced back to the early 1700s.

In modern Ireland commercial casinos remain illegal. However this does not prevent the Irish from having a thriving gaming industry. With a passion for horse racing, and the many excellent stud farms renowned throughout the world for the quality of their thoroughbreds, it is hardly surprising that the Irish have had licensed bookmakers for off-course betting since 1926. More surprising, perhaps, is the fact that the practice remained illegal in Great Britain until 1961. There are plenty of races to wager on, with 25 racecourses in Ireland, and Dublin-based Paddy Power has 143 betting shops including 4 at racecourses.

Gambling in Ireland is regulated by the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act with some later amendments, which include the National Lottery Act of 1986 and allowed for the setting up of the National Lottery launched in March 1987. An extensive review of the Acts (1956 – 1986) was carried out in 2000 by an interdepartmental group, which made recommendations for further amendments, particularly in the areas of stakes and prize limits. As with the UK’s Gambling Bill, the Irish Government has seen the need for gaming laws to be modernized.

The review did not, however, recommend a change in the law that would make commercial casinos legal. Instead, casino gambling will continue to be available at the ‘Members Clubs’ that operate on the basis that everyone entering becomes a member. It is acknowledged by the State that these clubs are operating within the law, and there are 8 such clubs in Dublin.

Paddy Power is Ireland’s largest bookmaker and Paddy Power Plc is listed on the London and Irish Stock Exchanges. The company has plenty to smile about, with a recent 27.5% increase in turnover reaching the €1 billion mark. Last year it acquired additional UK betting shops and now has a total of 31 in and around London. Another 15 are expected to be added during the course of 2005. Paddy Power Casino for online gaming was launched early last year and the company’s online division remains the fastest moving part of the business.

In 2000 the Irish Institute of Sales Promotions Consultants (IISPC) was lobbying the Government to amend the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act, citing an unfair advantage of foreign products – mainly from the UK – carrying ‘instant win’ promotions on-pack and in newspapers, which was illegal for Irish companies. The recent launching of the Paddy Power online poker site would seem to be addressing the balance, as its British clients are nearly double the Irish.

Paddy Power has the largest telephone and online betting operations in Ireland and puts its success down to giving its customers great value, the best service and an unparalleled betting experience that is both fun and rewarding. On St Patrick’s Day, as the Irish celebrate throughout the world, Paddy Power looks to be a sure bet. (E-03.17.05)

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