Paddy Power shareholders are set for a €392M ($438M) windfall as the Irish gambling company reported "double-digit sales and profits growth despite increased taxes, regulation and volatility in sports betting." The bookmaker, known for its "controversial advertising campaigns, said it would use a combination of cash and debt" to pay shareholders €8 ($8.94) a share on top of a "proposed full-year dividend rise" of 13% to 152 cents. Shares jumped as much as 9.2% to €72.73 ($81.29). Sales were up 18% to €882M for the year to Dec. 31, driven by growth in mobile, which now accounts for 55% of its online revenue (FINANCIAL TIMES, 3/3). ... Arsenal boasts "three of the world's richest men" among its major shareholders, with Alisher Usmanov, Stan Kroenke and Farhad Moshiri all making Forbes magazine's World's Billionaires list. Chelsea Owner Roman Abramovich is said to be worth £5.9B ($9B) and is ranked 137th on the list. Tottenham Owner Joe Lewis, Newcastle Owner Mike Ashley, Leicester Owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, Stoke City's Denise Coates and Liverpool Owner John Henry also appear on the list (London INDEPENDENT, 3/3).
