Major win is bad news for bookies
Tuesday August 12 2008
BOOKIES were last night counting the cost of Padraig Harrington's victory at the US PGA championship.
Yesterday, Paddy Power revealed €3m had been collected by punters after the win, while Ladbrokes paid out just under €2.5m.
Not far behind, Boylesports paid out €1m, as William Hill lost €963,000.
The large pay-outs come after Paddy Power, Ladbrokes and William Hill all offered odds of 20/1 on the golfer winning another major title so shortly after his British Open victory.
One punter walked away with €60,000 following a €2,500 bet each way at 18/1 with Boylesports.
Paddy Power said they had paid out €5m on Harrington in the last month.
"We may have dodged a bullet at the British Open, but we've got it right between the eyes this time -- every second bet was on Harrington," he said.
- Shane Hickey
