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Brian Gleeson, Colm Meaney, Alex Murphy and Aidan Gillen to Star in ‘Paddy Power’ Film Charting Rise of Irish Gambling Giant (EXCLUSIVE)
A feature film about the rise of Irish bookmaker Paddy Power is in development, with Brian Gleeson, Colm Meaney, Alex Murphy and Aidan Gillen set to star. Directed by Matt Lipsey, it will explore how the company grew into a global betting brand and the consequences associated with the spread of online gambling.
The film is the first title in Playhouse Studios’ original scripted slate and is based on journalist Aaron Rogan’s book, *Punters: How Paddy Power Bet Billions and Changed Gambling Forever*. Dale Longmore, John Quinn and Brian Durnin are writing the adaptation. Rogan says the project is timely amid the recent growth of the gambling industry in the United States.
In short
- Four Irish actors will lead a film about Paddy Power’s rise.
- The story is based on Aaron Rogan’s investigative book.
- The project is Playhouse Studios’ first scripted title.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A film about Paddy Power’s rise could illuminate how an Irish company became a global brand and how the betting industry has changed, giving audiences a vivid way to engage with business and social history. Its account of online gambling’s consequences may also help prompt informed discussion about the risks and responsibilities that accompany the industry’s growth.
The case against
A scripted film built around a bookmaker’s rise could turn a complex history into a dramatic success story, potentially giving the company or gambling more attention without fully conveying the harms associated with betting. Viewers may also question whether an adaptation based on a journalist’s book can fairly balance commercial achievement with the experiences of people affected by gambling.
Explained simply
Paddy Power is an Irish bookmaker, a company that takes bets on sporting events and other outcomes. It began in Ireland and became an international brand as betting expanded from shops to websites and apps.
The company’s growth reflects wider changes in gambling, including the move to online betting, which lets people place bets more easily and across more countries. The story also raises questions about the effects of gambling on individuals and communities.
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