Punters quick to calculate new euro stakes

It was business as usual for the bookies yesterday, with the weekly rush for bets on the Lotto results unaffected by the recent introduction of the euro.

The manager of Paddy Power Bookmakers in Moore Street, Dublin, Mr Gordon Menzies, said at least half of his customers were already adept at placing bets in the new currency.

With the help of staff, Ms Joan Kelly from Finglas tentatively used her newly acquired euro notes and coins to gamble on the Lotto results.

Ms Kelly decided to skip the sales and go straight home, after getting advice on how much euro she would need for her bus fare from staff at the bookies.

Mr John Doyle from Santry said the bookies would get less money from punters betting with euro notes, which were worth less than the old Irish pound notes.

"You're actually betting less, which is a good thing. It pays out less if you win, but when do you win?" he said.

In Moore Street yesterday morning, traders were busy marking up new signs to display their euro prices.

Ms Betty Kennedy, a fruit and vegetable seller, said everyone was a little unsure about the new currency.

"But it's here now so we'll just have to get on with it," she said.