Bookie pays out to lucky 5,000 on bets of a White Christmas

MORE than 5,000 lucky punters who were dreaming of — and betting on — a white Christmas this year, are being rewarded early by bookie Paddy Power.

The bookie yesterday said it was paying out more than €100,000 to everyone who had so far this year backed on it being a white Christmas.

A spokesman for the company said there was a record number of people placing the bet this year — about 5,000.

And they will now be collecting their winnings regardless.

“This was an early Christmas present for punters who had made the bet during the course of the year.

“We may be left with slush on our face, if the snow doesn’t arrive, but we’re happy to take our chances,” he said.

“We have been in close contact with weather experts and all the conditions were present for snow on the 25.

“And so we decided to make everyone who bet up to 11am yesterday a winner regardless.

“As far as we are concerned, it is snowing on Christmas day.”

One of the coldest December forecasts in recent times, the bookmaker has again slashed the odds on it being a white Christmas.

From 6/1 at the start of the month, to 4/1 earlier this month, odds stand at 2/1.