Shooting for space with online gambling group

Online and land gambling group Paddy Power is using the power of social networking giant Facebook in its latest and typically innovative and amusing marketing move, offering its almost one million followers a chance to win GBP 1 million on a truly out-of-this-world bet.

Paddy has combined its fanciful Paddy Power Space Academy with a high-flying weather balloon fitted with a cheap computer and a radio transmitter in the promotion.

The idea is to create a new Guinness World Book of Records entry by creating a promotion that will make one punter the first to place a bet from outer space…but the punter will remain with his or her feet planted firmly on the ground at the Academy, using the balloon as a communications medium.

Gamblers will be invited to post a Facebook “like” for Paddy Power, and a draw will decide who gets the big bet.

The Paddy Power blog describes the promo:

“Paddy Power is about to hit the pretty staggering figure of 1 million Facebook Fans. To celebrate we’re going to sip champagne, eat hearty steaks and discuss world domination while supermodels lavish us with compliments. But, more importantly, in recognition of your efforts, one punter will have the opportunity to win £1 million by placing a bet from space. That’s right. You. Bet. Space. £1m.

“This is your chance to be a hero by becoming the first punter to have a bet from space – plus you could cash in a cool £1 million in winnings.”