Barstool Sportsbook, PENN error lead to account suspensions
Barstool Sportsbook and theScore Bet, two PENN Entertainment-powered platforms, voided winning bets on the Giants-Cardinals game in the NFL’s Week 2 because the lines were supposedly mispriced.
not knowing that the odds they claimed were due to a company mistake
A software error allowed users to place live player props at the same prices they were before kickoff. Many bettors snapped up the opportunity not knowing that the odds they claimed were due to a company mistake.
A majority of users who won their bets had their accounts suspended and, as of Wednesday night, still could not log into their accounts.
Awaiting a decision
The game in question between the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants was one of the most dramatic of NFL Week 2. The Cardinals, the projected worst team in the league, went up 20-0 over their visiting opponent at halftime, only to allow a massive second-half comeback and lose 31-28.
Daniel Jones accomplished a feat that no quarterback in the history of the NFL had before him, which was to throw for 250+ yards, run for 50+ yards, throw two touchdowns, and run for a touchdown all in the second half.
Shortly after the clock expired, live bets and player props were either marked as winners or losers. Winning bettors were awarded the prize associated with the odds at which they placed the bets, which were the same as their pre-game values.
257 bets were placed on events that had already happened
Users had been allowed to place bets on lines that had already hit in real-time but had not been updated. According to Massachusetts regulators, 257 bets were placed on events that had already happened.
Certain users were allowed to withdraw money from their accounts, but most saw their accounts suspended.
PENN has not shared whether it will be compensating bettors for the error with free bets, promotions, refunds, or anything else.
Legal updates
In response to an inquiry from Action Network, Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) deputy director Jennifer Reske commented on Barstool and PENN’s ability to temporarily pause user accounts.
They do not need to request permission from the IGC prior to taking the action.”
“Pursuant to Indiana law, operators are permitted to cancel wagers due to obvious error,” said Reske. “They do not need to request permission from the IGC prior to taking the action.”
Action Network also reported that similar sentiments were expressed in Ohio. Several other states said that they were aware of the incident but did not have anything to add.
PENN recently sold Barstool sportsbook back to its founder, Dave Portnoy, for just $1 after it spent a total of $551m to acquire 100% of the platform. The company decided on the sale so that it could proceed with a plan to launch ESPN Bet, a Disney-backed venture.
PENN has not provided additional comment on the matter.
The Giants are back in action against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football. The Cardinals will host the Dallas Cowboys as the joint-largest underdogs of NFL Week 3 on Sunday afternoon.