Paddy Power origin story heads to cinema screens
The film will chart the rise of co-founder Stewart Kenny and the company that later became part of Flutter Entertainment.
Key takeaways:
- A feature film based on Paddy Power’s origins is being developed by Playhouse Studios.
- The project is adapted from Aaron Rogan’s 2021 book Punters: How Paddy Power Bet Billions and Changed Gambling Forever.
- The film will focus on the rise of Paddy Power co-founder and former CEO Stewart Kenny.
- Brian Gleeson, Colm Meaney, Alex Murphy and Aidan Gillen are reported to be among the cast, with Matt Lipsey directing.
- No release date has been announced and no current or former Paddy Power or Flutter executives are reported to be involved.
A feature film telling the story of Paddy Power’s growth from an Irish bookmaker into a gambling industry powerhouse is in development. Produced by Playhouse Studios and based on Aaron Rogan’s book Punters: How Paddy Power Bet Billions and Changed Gambling Forever, the film will explore the rise of co-founder Stewart Kenny and the company that ultimately became a key part of Flutter Entertainment’s global business.
UK.- The story behind the creation of the Irish betting brand Paddy Power will head to cinemas. A feature film will revisit the early years of a company that went on to play a central role in creating the NYSE-listed global gambling group Flutter Entertainment. As reported by Variety, the production is being developed by Irish media company Playhouse Studios and will feature a cast that includes several well-known Irish actors.
The biopic, titled simply Paddy Power, will be based on the 2021 book Punters: How Paddy Power Bet Billions and Changed Gambling Forever, written by Aaron Rogan, Deputy Editor of the Business Post. Described as a “crazy true story”, it will chart the rise of Stewart Kenny, Paddy Power’s co-founder and former chief executive, whose unconventional marketing campaigns helped transform the bookmaker into one of the best-known gambling brands in Ireland and Britain.
According to reports, the cast will include Brian Gleeson, Colm Meaney, Alex Murphy and Aidan Gillen, while Matt Lipsey, known for directing and producing episodes of Ted Lasso, is attached to direct the project.
Flutter’s modern form emerged in the 2015 merger of Paddy Power and Betfair. Three years later, the acquisition of FanDuel accelerated its expansion in the US market, before the group adopted the name Flutter Entertainment in 2020. The company also owns Sky Betting and Gaming and Betfair as well as Sisal in Italy and Sportsbet in Australia. It operates in roughly 100 countries and has a market capitalisation exceeding $14bn.
Although the story chronicles one of the gambling industry’s most successful business growth stories, the filmmakers appear keen to highlight the social consequences associated with betting as well as its commercial achievements. “An inherently Irish origin story, it claws open the lid of how a few chancers changed the world as we know it, destroying hundreds of thousands of people’s lives forever,” the film’s synopsis states.
Kenny himself has become a prominent critic of the industry. He recently accused Betfred founder Fred Done of “fearmongering” over drastic predictions of the end of retail betting shops if the government increased Machine Games Duty steeply. Eventually, last week’s Autumn Budget included an MGD rise of five percentage points, much less severe than the doubling that had been proposed.
The report in Variety does not indicate that current or former executives linked to Paddy Power or Flutter Entertainment are involved in the production.
Peggy Cafferty, chief executive of Playhouse Studios, told the outlet: “Paddy Power stood out immediately as a story with real scale, authentic dark humour, grit and tenacity. You could not make up this incredible story. Aaron Rogan’s voice made the book such an easy, engaging read and we feel the writing team captured the adaptation brilliantly. This is the extraordinary rise of one company that refused to play by the rules and set out on a path of ambition, risk and consequence.
“They stepped outside the norms of marketing with brilliant twists and always with wit. We are thrilled with this exceptional creative team and cast, this is a fearless production and a narrative that resonates with audiences far beyond Ireland – everyone loves a great, true story that’s as dramatic as fiction.”
No release date has been announced.
FAQs
What is the Paddy Power film about?
The film is based on Aaron Rogan’s book Punters and will tell the story of Paddy Power’s rise, focusing on co-founder and former CEO Stewart Kenny and the company’s unconventional growth.
Who is making the Paddy Power film?
The project is being developed by Irish production company Playhouse Studios, with Matt Lipsey, known for his work on Ted Lasso, attached as director.
Who is expected to appear in the cast?
Reports state that Brian Gleeson, Colm Meaney, Alex Murphy and Aidan Gillen are set to star in the film.
Is Flutter Entertainment involved in the production?
According to the reports referenced in the article, there is no indication that current or former executives connected to Paddy Power or Flutter Entertainment are involved in making the film.
