BetMGM Bettors Claim Online Sportsbook Wrongly Terminated Winning Bets
Two bettors from BetMGM are voicing their concerns about the online sportsbook operated by MGM Resorts and Entain for reportedly canceling their successful bets.
In a report originally released by CBS News Chicago, a BetMGM client claims that the online sportsbook canceled his wagers, which would have resulted in a significant monetary gain.
Chicago local Mark Aiello informed the news source that he placed four $500 wagers on the NBA match on March 2 between the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers. His prop bet had 350/1 odds, equivalent to +35000. The suggested probability of winning this bet is only 0.28%.
Following each of the four wagers that favored Aiello, he believed he had won hundreds of thousands of dollars. Nonetheless, upon accessing his BetMGM app, he realized that the sportsbook had canceled the $2,000 in wagers prior to the game starting.
‘Clear Mistakes’
Washington, DC, CBS affiliate WUSA-TV covered a comparable event involving Virginia resident Kris Benton, where BetMGM runs an online sportsbook as well. Benton, an educator in Fairfax County, asserts that he placed multiple wagers on the Netherlands vs. Vietnam Women's World Cup soccer game after encountering appealing 66/1 odds.
Benton wagered over $3,000 and secured $214,500 in winnings. BetMGM also canceled Benton’s wager.
“These wagers were voided due to an obvious error,” BetMGM told both Aiello and Benton. “Obvious error of incorrect or inflated odds per the house rules.”
"BetMGM makes every effort to ensure that we do not make any errors in prices offered or wagers accepted. However, if as a result of mechanical, technical, or human error, BetMGM offers, or a patron places, a wager in Obvious Error, BetMGM reserves the right to either settle winning wagers at the ‘correct price,’ as reasonably determined by BetMGM, or void any wagers placed in Obvious Error,” BetMGM’s House Rules state.
“BetMGM reserves the right, at its own discretion, to declare a wager void, totally or partly, if a wager has been offered, placed, and/or accepted containing an Obvious Error,” the Rules continue.
Just as a malfunctioning slot machine results in the cancellation of spins and wins, BetMGM's House Rules grant the house comparable protection against technical mistakes. That doesn't resonate positively with gamblers who believe they were wronged.
In the majority of states that have regulated online sports betting, operators must file reports with the appropriate regulatory body whenever bets are canceled. In addition to Illinois and Virginia, BetMGM operates online sports betting in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Washington, DC, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Benton Completed Entirely
Following the public revelation of his story, Benton claims that BetMGM contacted him via their legal representatives. The sportsbook maintained that the odds were presented in an “obvious error” but consented to issue him the full payout of $214,500.
"My family and I are thrilled that BetMGM is holding themselves accountable. This is a life-changing moment for us and we want to sincerely thank the team at WSUA9 for being the first ones to share my story,” Benton said.
Benton mentions that he intends to settle his wife’s student loans and establish a college fund for their daughter.
