FanDuel Back-Pedals, Agrees to Pay Bettor $82K

After generating controversy with its decision to not honor a fan’s bet after a glitch in the live odds-making system, FanDuel back-pedaled to avert the negative publicity. The Newark resident will now receive $82,610 in winnings that must have been paid out according to the 750-1 odds displayed on his ticket.

On Sunday, FanDuel’s Sportsbook at the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey sold a ticket to Anthony Prince, who wagered on the Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders that was being played at the time. The bet that he placed on the sport was in-play, a term that identifies live bets, so the odds were shifting as the match progressed. However an mistake occurred in the feed at that specific moment when Prince bought his betting ticket and consequently, the odds were displayed wrongly .

Instead of buying into correct odds of -600 on Broncos to win, ” he received +750,000, or odds of 750-1. This was, needless to say, a ridiculous betting line brought on by a glitch in the odds-making system that lasted 18 seconds, according to FanDuel. Whether knowingly or not, Prince exploited that mistake . Wagering $110 on the Broncos using the ticket, he must have won $82,610. The sportsbook, however, said that the ticket was actually worth only $18.35 and declined to pay out any additional winnings.

The dispute was nearly instantly reported with a local TV station and also a wider policy followed this week in a few of the largest sports websites networks. While backed up from the gaming regulations in New Jersey and the organization ’s own policies, FanDuel’s decision caused huge controversy. On Tuesday, the daily dream sports provider and bookmaker issued an official announcement, describing why it wouldn’t cover the incorrect bet. Winning bets were honored at the exact market price, the business added.

Change of Heart or even a PR Stunt?

This past week was marked by a negative publicity to get FanDuel due to the rejection of the 80,000 bet. According to current provisions in the state’s gaming laws, the bookmaker has the right to void winnings generated from a technical mistake such as in Anthony Prince’s case. While the decision to stiff that wager may have been, really, correct and fair, it was definitely not in the best interest of the provider.

Many journalists and sports analysts criticized FanDuel due to their stance, stating that it was the bookmaker’s fault for permitting such glitches to happen. Bettors, on the other hand, weren’t to blame for exploiting flaws in the betting systems. Similar opinions were shared with many sports fans on social media, as well. The bookmaker has probably had a change of heart concerning the dispute because it came out with a different announcement Thursday evening.

In it, FanDuel clarifies that it isn’t legally bound to cover these incorrect bets. It’ll honor them either way, but as it is devoted to supplying its customers with a gaming experience that is, most of all, fun. This is on the house, FanDuel guarantees bettors.

With this abrupt twist, the sportsbook is seemingly recognizing the danger of creating a negative image for itself in the media to get a small number of bets, even if they are worth tens of thousands of dollars. Such criticism could damage not only its own public image but also its future business opportunities.