SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Paddy Power has paid out early to bettors who backed Liverpool FC to win the Premier League.
The move follows Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham on Saturday, leading the bookmaker to state that “the title race is OVER”. This meant that punters who said Arne Slot’s side would win received their earnings – regardless of the rest of the season’s results.
The brand posted on X: “We’ve seen enough. With Arsenal losing to West Ham, the title race is as good as over. So we’re paying out on Liverpool to win the 2024/2025 Premier League.”
The payout applies to Liverpool to win in the English top division outright winner market (both singles and multiples) across online and retail.
Paddy Power also explained: “And, if it does start to go pear-shaped for Slot’s side, you can still have a flutter on the outcome of the Premier League title race, it’s just bets placed prior to Saturday 22 February that have been paid out.”
The operator has assured that all markets are back open, and punters can even back Liverpool to win again if they want.
The Irish bookmaker made it clear that the brand ‘hasn’t always got it right’, adding: “There was the time Paddy paid out on Hilary Clinton to win the 2016 election, and then she lost to Donald Trump.
“Or, the time he paid out on Tiger Woods to win the PGA Championship in 2009 when he was four shots clear on day three.”
Similary, Betfred boss Fred Done has also paid out over £1m on Liverpool to lift the title, with 11 games still to play before the end of the season.
This move marks the tenth time the bookmaker – who became the first operator to pay out on an early title win for Manchester United back in 1998 – has paid out on an early conclusion to the Premier League on Done’s authority.
Looking at current standings, newly-promoted trio of Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton struggle to keep their heads above water, but established side Wolves are also in poor form, keeping things interesting.
