Record Breaking Grand National on the Cards

This year’s Grand National is expected to break all previous records for betting turnover on the most famous horse race in the world as the nation goes horse racing and gambling mad for oen day. Industry insiders are predicting record turnover both both on the high street and with more people than ever vefore anticipated to place their Grand National bets via the internet.

The Grand National is a race steeped in heritage and has become something of a Great British institution over the years. Many of the millions of people who place bets on the 40 runner, 4 mile 4 furlong marathon steeplechase over Aintree’s famous fences will often only place the one bet during the course the year and that will be on the Grand National. The estimated total worth of bets placed within the betting industry is predicted to be in the region of £650 million and whilst it is usually a big pay day for bookmakers this year’s race may make for little more uncomfortable viewing.

One of the main reasons that bookmakers have come to love the Grand National so much is because the winning horse is often a big price, resulting more people backing losers than winners, thus bigger profits for the bookies! However, this year looks set to be different with the shortest priced favourite in years set to line up - the 6/1 shot Cloudy Lane. Many people will automaticly back the favourite becuase it is the easiest selection method, but this favourite has an excellent chance and will be even more popular as a result of being trained by David McCain, son of Ginger McCain, trainer of the most famous Grand National horse of all - Red Rum. If Cloudy Lane can justify his favourite tag and does go on to win the Grand National Odds, bookmakers will be bracing themselves for yet another record - the most paid out on a single race.

Paddy Power Cheltenham Betting Up

The Paddy Power betting group showed excellent half year results for the six months ended 30 June the company reported an operating profit growth of 108pc to €40.8m and was very pleased with its Cheltenham Festival betting in shops due to the new epos system, even though there were some online problems on one of the days of the festival. The company reported revenues of €143.7m, up considerably from the €104.9m reported in the same period last year.

Paddy Power chief executive Patrick Kennedy was reported to be very pleased with operating profits at its online channel which increased by 53pc or €5.1m in the first half of 2007.

Chief Executive Patrick Kennedy was very encouraged with the online results as “Customer numbers in the online channel continued to grow strongly with an 18pc increase at the end of the half year relative to June 2006, despite slower growth in sports book customers without the Football World Cup,” Kennedy explained.

“Online competition remains intense but we are confident that our brand, product range and top class customer service, as well as our continuous drive to increase our marketing efficiency, means we are well positioned for growth.”

Kennedy said that the aim is to continue to invest in people and technology to optimise customer acquisition and retention.

“For example, we added our newly developed affiliate management system to paddypower.com during the period, automating the process for other web site operators to promote our products on their websites.

“This year’s Cheltenham Festival and Grand National were the first for many shops with EPOS and we were pleased with the improvement in customer service from speedier bet placement and collection, including the benefit of EPOS readable ‘mark sense’ dockets for shop coupons and press promotions,” Kennedy explained.

“We are also extracting more benefits by continuously refining and acting upon information from the system for operational management, marketing, risk and security,” he added.

Online betting sites look for UK move

Online gaming sites looking to comply with the U.K.’s new advertising guidelines are taking two different routes – moving their bases of operation to UK friendly areas or trying to get their jurisdiction approved.

More than 1,000 online betting firms will not be allowed to advertise in the U.K. after the 2005 Gambling Act takes effect on Sept. 1, according to a statement released earlier this month by the U.K.’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The new regulations state that in order to advertise in the U.K., online gaming sites must reside in an approved jurisdiction, must direct problem gamblers to the U.K.’s gamble aware Web site, must not target children and must not advertise on TV or radio before 9 p.m.

Currently, only sites located within the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Gibraltar, Isle of Man and Alderney are acceptable.