Paddy Power has expanded into the Scottish retail sector with the opening of its first high street licensed betting office in Glasgow, the company announced on Monday.
By 2011, the Irish bookmaker said it hopes to open more than 80 shops across Scotland and other United Kingdom locations. Its estimated £16-20 million Scotland investment during the next two years will bring 400 new jobs to the area.
“Scottish punters have already experienced significant exposure to the unique brand offering of Paddy Power through our phone and online betting services,” said Patrick Kennedy, chief executive of Paddy Power, in a prepared statement. “This move to ground and complement our brand with a bricks and mortar presence is very exciting, and we look forward to bringing our unbeatable range of products and service to Scotland.”
On Monday, the first Paddy Power shop opened on Cambridge Street in Glasgow and additional shops on Gilmour Street on Feb. 14 and Duke Street on March 2 are scheduled to follow.