Online Sportsbook Ethics

[Rockpyle25]

Hi everybody,

I haven't posted here in a long time, but I just got done arguing over an issue with one of my online sportsbooks, and I wanted everyone's opinion on it. Here goes:

The book I go with is a very reputable one. I've been with them for years, gave them lots of money and time. Occasionally, this sportsbook will slip up and post a line that doesn't look right and obviously favors the player. An example: Last year, they once posted a total for an NFL game at 7.5. That's SEVEN-POINT-FIVE. For the whole game. Needless to say, I rode that over for all I had, and they paid it off. I figured it was their mistake, they knew it, and they had to honor it.

This has happened at least 5 times since then, where they will post a line that's not supposed to be, and I take it for a lot, and they pay it out, no questions asked. Until last week...

They made another mishap and I rode it for two bills. I look a day later, and they cancelled the bet. This was the FIRST TIME ever they cancelled a bet on me. I called them and argued over their ethics but they wouldn't budge and suggested that if I was going to do this every time they posted a bad line that I take my action elsewhere. Yeah, right. Why would I leave a site that has practically given away money five to ten times a season? I told them they should do a better job on releasing the proper lines. The argument ended with them telling me that if I call in when I see a bogus line, they'll "take care of me," whatever that means.

My question is this: Is this ethically correct for an Online Sportsbook to do? Basically, I didn't get paid on a bet I placed because of THEIR mistake. I mean it's like advertising a product, then not be willing to sell it.

Has this happened to anyone else? Is there a person or association that can do anything about this? Your responses are welcomed.

Thanks for reading,

R

CKPYLE

 

[MadJack]

if the bank teller gives you change for a hundred, when you gave her a twenty for change, should she be held responsible?

if walmart marks the 52" TV for $299 instead of $1299, by mistake, will you still get it for $299? should they eat the mistake?

MOST online books will not honor a mistake. MOST will throw out repeat offenders.

suppose you, by mistake, took 'under' on that 7.5 spread. would you have wanted the bet cancelled?

just something to think about.

i think the book has the right to cancel bets made into error lines, although, i think they should do it BEFORE the game starts and not a few days later.

 

[NJO]

Just playing devil's advocate here -- is it ethical for someone to play into an obviously bogus line and expect a payout?

I am assuming we are not talking about a line being a few points different from what other books have posted.

Perhaps the next time you see such an obviously wrong line, you may want to call the book and point it out, and then ask if they can take care of you that way? Maybe see if they'll give you a free parlay, or bonus on additional money put in, or something along those lines?

 

[KotysDad]

ethics: a principle of right or good behavior.

I guess this definition doesnt apply to customers cheating a merchant of their money over an honest mistake.

In the "end", all accounts will be squared up correctly.

[This message has been edited by KotysDad (edited 11-28-2001).]

 

[yyz]

My question is this: Is this ethically correct for an Online Sportsbook to do? Basically, I didn't get paid on a bet I placed because of THEIR mistake. I mean it's like advertising a product, then not be willing to sell it.

I can't believe that you would have the gall to question their "ethics", when you have, at best, used terrible "ethical" decisions in dealing with them.

I will never understand guys who do this, and act incredulous when they get called on it. I would love to see some of you guys get absolutely torched on a game like this, where the "bad line" bites your ass! A little 6-0 game to set you straight, as you lose every penny you wagered.

Plus, you look like shit when you do this. The book does not have to pay you ona bet like this, and they were quite generous in doing it so many times before this one. One more question:

How would you feel if they marked your ass, and if you ever won a good sum, they decided to take your account? Who are you going to complain to? Good luck. The last person I would screw with, is someone who has my cash!

Same goes with guys who post a play on a game that is being played, or done. You expect to get paid? What a farce!

Just last week, a book posted the half-time line on a game. They accidentally left the FULL game total in the betting window with the half time wagers. Well, the game was only a few points from the listed total, so you could "bet the house" on the "over" and clean up! I doubt they paid anyone one this, but since I didn't take a shot at them, I really don't know.

People say, "If they paid, it would be good public relations." I say bullshit! I think it would be better realations to let the rest of the world know they will ban your as for trying to cheat them....and make no mistake, you are a cheat if you do this.

I always hear how gamblers are supposed to be some of the most trustworthy people around.......I have to beg to differ when I see posts like this.



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"You can't polish a turd."

 

[marlowe]

The ethical question here is not whether a book has a right to cancel the wager (which they certainly do, although if possible before rather than after the result), but instead whether it is ethically correct to knowingly exploit an innocent mistake for your own advantage. Given that human beings are inherently fallible and inevitably make mistakes, the overwhelming majority of us humans have chosen to live by a code of conduct whereby it is to our mutual advantage not to knowingly exploit human mistakes.

Note that knowingly exploiting bad lines does not just harm the book but also harms their more honest clientele. If you buy the mistakenly priced TV for $299 rather than $1299, Walmart does not eat the $1000 but instead passes the loss along to its more honest consumers in the form of slightly higher prices. If a sportsbook absorbs losses from players knowingly betting bad lines, then that book will have to offset those losses somehow, perhaps by cutting back on customer service or minimizing reduced vig or special betting opportunities.

 

[Patternseeker]

I agree with the gentlemen, Rock.

Somehow I am reminded of a conversation I overheard while sitting at a simulcast at Keeneland. A group of guys were talking, like they were telling fish stories, of how much money they had "stolen" from the automated tote machines when someone made a bet, had money left, but didn't take his cash voucher. They would race up to the machine after the person left, press cash voucher, and have a ticket for the money. A dubious way to get money, indeed.

[This message has been edited by Patternseeker (edited 11-28-2001).]

 

[dawgball]

Who is your insurance broker? I would like to know because if I am with the same one, I am changing policies.

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Sic 'em
dawgball

 

[Rockpyle25]

I knew I'd get my answer if I came in here.

Believe it or not, I never even thought about MY ethics. Goes to show where my head's at.

But don't tell me you guys wouldn't be enticed into taking the opening kickoff of a football game to not be returned for a score, +100.

I've learned my lesson through all of this, and I sincerely thank all of you who responded, even if it means me leaving with my tail between my legs, and deservedly so.

R

CKPYLE

 

[Neemer]

No apology necessary Rock! I'm guessing that 99% of the folks here would accept a payout that was mistakenly given out by a particular offshore book. No matter what they say, most people would take the payout. Your situation is a little different b/c you were trying to exploit an incorrect line, thus profiting off someone elses mistake. I'd suggest that in the future you contact your book and make them aware of their mistake. It might even be MORE prosperous than simply pocketing the cash.

I'd say that the true question wuold be what would you have done if the situation went against you? What if there had only been SIX total points scored and you lost the bet? Would you suck it up as an unfortunate loss, or would you have notified the book trying to get them to cancel the wager?

 

[Rockpyle25]

Well, if I had taken a bet where a total in a football game is 7.5, and at halftime, it's scoreless, I probably would have taken the 2nd half under to protect myself.

But for the sake of your argument, if I did indeed drop a play like that, I'd take it on the chin and not calling the book.

R

CKPYLE