Paddy Power
Paddy Power was originally founded in Ireland in 1988 as a highstreet
bookmaker. In the early years of the 21st century they teamed up with software provider Wagerworks (now IGT) to move into the online betting business. In
February 2016 they merged with betting exchange Betfair to create PaddyPowerBetfair, and alongside the online business they have around six hundred
highstreet betting shops in the UK and Ireland.
Software and license
Paddy Power Casino uses Playtech non-download software and is licensed in Alderney under the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.
Reliability
Paddy Power has been around a long time and has a good reputation for reliability. Some years ago I removed my recommendation for an issue of nonpayment of
winnings - see my
PaddyPower recommendation revoked
article. I've since brought them back on board on the basis that they're a reliable operator which offers one of the best player return games on the internet.
Games
Paddy Power offers
Blackjack Switch as part of its Playtech package, along with all the other standard games. Switch has
a return to player of 99.83% with accurate play, making it one of the best blackjack games online.
Comps
The Paddy Power comp point system is reasonably generous, at 0.1% for all games or £1 for £10,000 in wagering. As you wager more you move up the various
comp levels, the best of which yields £1 for £7500 wagering, which equates to a slightly increased 0.133% in comp value.
Bonuses
Paddy Power offer a sign up bonus of up to £500 spread across your first three deposits:
Deposit | Bonus | Max bonus |
First | 100% | £200 |
Second | 50% | £100 |
Third | 100% | £200 |
The deposit and bonus have to be wagered 20 times, and the games are weighted accordingly:
Game | Contribution |
Slots (all varieties except those listed in alternative slots)
Scratch cards | 100% |
Roulette (all varieties)
| 20% |
Alternative slots (Goblins Cave, Triple Profits, Tropic Reels & Ugga Bugga)
Stravaganza
Pai gow (all varieties)
Red dog
Caribbean stud poker
Instant wins
Craps (all varieties)
Casino hold'em (all varieties)
Baccarat (all varieties)
21 duel, blackjack & multi-hand blackjack | 10% |
All other blackjack games
All double options on slots and video poker (all varieties)
All other games not listed
Any jackpot games | 0% |
As such, depositing £200 for the first bonus would give you a starting balance of £400, which would need to be wagered 20 times if you play slots, or £8000
in total, as slot wagering counts fully 100%. Playing baccarat you would need to wager £80,000 (400 × 20 × 10 = 80,000), as baccarat wagers only
count at 10%.
Note the both blackjack and video poker do not count at all so it would be advisable to not wager on either of those games - the line between “not
counting” and “ineligible for bonus play” is often very blurry.
Note also these terms & conditions:
All three bonuses must be claimed within 30 days of the player registering with Paddy Power Casino or any unused bonuses as part of the
welcome package will expire. |
Once you get each of your bonuses, you have 14 days to complete the wagering requirements on each individual bonus. After this time, any
bonus plus pending winnings accrued will be removed from your bonus balance and the remaining buy in will be returned to your cash balance. |
The casino reserves the right to withhold any withdrawals and/or confiscate all winnings for irregular play. Irregular play includes, but
is not limited to, any one or more of the following types of play:
• Placing single bets equal to or in excess of 30% of the
value of the bonus before the wagering requirements for that bonus have been met.
• Moving from a low
weighted game (20% or less) to a high weighted game (100%) after large wins for the purpose of clearing wagering requirements.
• Low risk Roulette bets. ANY bet spread combination on Roulette games covering 75% or more of the table. |
So, to sum up the potential pitfalls:
• Claim all bonuses within 30 days of registering in order to be eligible.
• Do the required wagering within 14 days of claiming the bonus.
• Don't wager more than 30% of the size of the bonus on any individual wager.
• Don't jump from non-slot games to slot games.
• Frankly, don't play roulette.
Payments
They pay swiftly, anything from a minute or two to a few hours.
Customer service
UK freephone number:
0800 028 2497
Ireland freephone:
1800 924 406
Rest of the world:
00353 1 9050432
Email:
paddypower@paddypower.com
Live chat is also available. Paddypower customer service has always been fast and efficient in my experience.
Barcelona, baby
On a personal note, I was lucky enough to win a three-day trip to Barcelona in a roulette promotion draw at Paddy Power some
years ago, to see a football game in the Nou Camp. Football isn't really my thing and I wasn't totally looking forward to
it, but in the end it was a great experience, VIP tickets and everything. Thanks, Paddy.
Overall rating
I rate Paddy Power at 8 out of 10.
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