Has Paddy Power's latest Obama ad gone too far?

Irish bookmaker Paddy Power has taken a bet on the US Presidential election - by paying out a day early to punters who backed Barack Obama to win.

The move will reportedly cost the company €500,000, but it is their newspaper advert today promoting the payout that is likely to raise more eyebrows:

The ad as it appeared in today's Irish Times.

It has certainly been getting a lot of attention on Twitter:

Crass paddy Power ad that touches off racism wrt Obama on p. 3 doesn't belong in a serious paper as the Irish Times purports 2 b.

— Kenneth McKenzie (@kendpmckenzie) November 5, 2012

The Paddy Power Ad 'Sorry Romney, You're not black or cool'. We're paying out early on an Obama Victory IS funny!

— charlieeasmon (@charlieeasmon) November 5, 2012

And that Paddy Power ad on page 3 of the #IrishTimes. "Sorry Romney, you're not black or cool." Eh...

— Aoife Mullen (@AoifeMullen) November 5, 2012

Paddy Power ad in today's Times of London: 'Sorry Romney, you're not black, or cool'. Not one they'd use in the US twitter.com/AChristieMille…

— Alex Christie-Miller (@AChristieMiller) November 5, 2012

Paddy Power ad on the second page of the Irish Times is so dodgey.

— Simeon O'Neill (@simeon_oneill) November 5, 2012

 A spokesperson for Paddy Power says the company has called an Obama second term win 'a nailed-on certainty':

Romney gave it a good shot and is doing well in the popular vote, but we suspect he’s had his moment in the sun and is likely to be remembered more for his legendary gaffes than Presidential potential.  

The overall betting trend has shown one-way traffic for Obama and punters seemed to have called it 100 per cent correct.  

Despite Romney appealing to the large evangelical and senior vote, America’s sticking with black and cool.

The Dublin-based betting shop is no stranger to controversy - or Obama. 

It previously had to remove odds on the US President being assassinated during his first term, following a public outcry.

While in 2011, the company temporarily changed its name to 'O'Bama Power' to celebrate his visit to Ireland. 

Image: AskMeAboutLoom

So what do you think of Paddy Power's newspaper ads? A bit of harmless fun or a publicity stunt gone too far?

Make your voice heard in the comments section below: