Punter to take bookie to court over $113k bet debacle
Sports fans in America are split after a betting company refused to pay out an astronomical AU$113,000 win because of a glitch.
New Jersey bookmaker FanDuel is copping plenty of heat after refusing to pay out a customer who placed $150 on 750-1 odds that the Denver Broncos would come from behind and defeat the Oakland Raiders on Monday (AEST).
Only problem with the bet, the gambler, Anthony Prince, received those odds over a counter at a race course due to a glitch.
The Broncos were supposed to be a 7-1 chance of victory, not 750-1.
NO WAY: Punter misses out on $160K in cruel twist of fate
Still, upon the Broncos completing an unlikely come-from-behind victory over the Raiders with a fourth-quarter touchdown, Prince had a betting ticket which showed he was owed AU$113,000.
He returned to the counter, but his ticket was not accepted by FanDuel.
“They said their system had a glitch in it and they’re not obligated to pay for glitches,” Prince said.
Prince said FanDuel offered him AU$700 and skybox tickets to three New York Giants games instead.
However Prince still isn’t happy, and plans to take legal action in order to get his full amount.
For their part, FanDuel are standing by their decision not to pay out the bet, due to the glitch.
“The wager in question involved an obvious pricing error inadvertently generated by our in-game pricing system,” FanDuel said.
“Specifically, near the end of the Sunday afternoon game between the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders, the odds for the Broncos (who had the ball and were trailing by two points at the time) to win were +340 (bet US$100 to win US$340).
Statement from FanDuel regarding live wager on Broncos that was made at bad odds: pic.twitter.com/k8UvdwOTCN
— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) September 18, 2018
“The next play, the Broncos completed a 26 yard pass to position themselves to attempt a 36 yard field goal to take the lead in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, clearly positioning the Broncos as the favourite to win.
“At that moment in the game, our system updated the odds and erroneously posted a price of +75,000 on the Broncos to win the game (bet US$100 to win US$75,000) when the correct odds for the Broncos to win the game at that point in time were -600 (i.e., bet $600 to win $100).
For those wondering. This is in the Fanduel terms and conditions pic.twitter.com/DjmC65ntiK
— TOMMY G (@TommyG) September 18, 2018
“A small number of bets were made at the erroneous price over an 18 second period.
“We honoured all such bets on the Broncos to win the game at the accurate market price in accordance with our house rules and industry practice, which specifically address such obvious pricing errors.
“We have reached out to all impacted customers and apologised for the error.”
If FanDuel thought the matter would be ended there, they were wrong.
Not only will they face likely legal action from Prince, they’ve enraged many sport fans with their decision not to pay out the bet.
Plenty of fans took to social media to blast FanDuel for not paying out the bet.
Just wow. FanDuel better make this right. Or regulators need to compel them to. You can't not pay someone because of a self-described glitch. This is not how regulated sports betting works. https://t.co/20zedW7bNp
— Dustin Gouker (@DustinGouker) September 18, 2018
Fanduel has to pay the guy who made the Broncos bet. If I make a bet and after like 30 seconds – during a live event – say "Wait, that was a mistake I want my money back" do they give me my money back?
— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) September 19, 2018
@FanDuel I hope you're inundated with frivolous lawsuits from bettors who have a "glitch" in "their" system when they place a losing wager. You would have happily taken his $110 if McManus missed that kick! Do what's right and eat the L. There's been 2 ties already, you're good!
— Spanky (@AndrewSpacke) September 19, 2018
Fanduel should pay. They are sitting on millions!
— Matt Brown (@chillinforreal) September 19, 2018
Others took the betting company’s side, most notably, SportsCenter host Scott Van Pelt.
It's a mistake. A glitch. If the IRS sends you a check for $273,812, you don't get to keep it. It's a mistake.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) September 18, 2018
Of course @notthefakeSVP has the correct take on this Fanduel error. Still amazed how many people are arguing he should get paid
— Tony Niehaus (@BigT44DFS) September 19, 2018
Exactly, people don't realize 1) fanduel's response is standard and generous and 2) if they paid out here then it would destroy the industry and really destroy their ability to do in-game betting if people are just going to attack clear mistakes like this one
— David John (@DFSSoapBox) September 19, 2018
Hey @notthefakeSVP I’m with you. Fanduel meadowlands shouldn’t pay the guy 82k. $500 and giants tickets were a generous offer. Casinos don’t pay out on glitches either.
— Bruce Jones (@brucejones13088) September 19, 2018
He’s right.. No way they pay $82k or should they.
— Vinny Gambardella (@vindog8484) September 19, 2018
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement is currently investigating the matter.
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