In a thrilling Monday Night Football matchup, the San Francisco 49ers dominated the New York Jets, but before the game even began, the spotlight was on star running back Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers being inactive. This unexpected turn of events allowed backup Jordan Mason to step into the limelight and take on a lead role. For bettors who had previously locked in bets on Mason props before the news of McCaffrey’s absence, they found themselves in a fortunate position to cash in on odds that were far more favorable than what was subsequently adjusted after McCaffrey was ruled out.
However, the excitement of the game was marred by controversy as bet365 Sportsbook came under fire on social media Monday night for allegedly not paying out Mason prop bets at the prices that were originally accepted when the bets were placed.
Matt Williams, a respected contributor at VSiN, The Athletic, and NBC Sports, took to Twitter during the first half of the Jets versus 49ers game to call out bet365 for changing the odds on his Jordan Mason wagers. Williams expressed his frustration, questioning the integrity of the sportsbook by stating, “So… bet365 is just changing odds after they get caught in a poor position following an injury? These odds were out wayyyy before the injury occurred.”
The screenshot shared by Williams from bet365 indicated that the sportsbook cited “incorrect odds” as the reason for altering the payout. While most sportsbooks have rules that allow for voiding or changing the price of a bet in the case of an obvious error, the situation of a player’s role being elevated due to a surprise absence typically does not fall under this category.
In response to Williams’ complaints, bet365 issued a message stating, “We have identified that this selection was placed at incorrect odds and as such, in accordance with our rules, will be settled at the revised odds of -5000. Please accept our apology for any inconvenience caused.” Williams had placed a bet on Over 13.5 rushing yards for Jordan Mason, who ultimately exceeded expectations by finishing with 147 rushing yards on 28 carries.
Despite the initial setback, Williams later updated his followers on Tuesday morning, revealing that bet365 had backtracked on their decision and paid out his Jordan Mason bet at the original odds of -110 instead of -5000.
This incident was not the first time that bet365 had come under scrutiny for their practices. In August, the sportsbook was forced to refund over $500,000 to users who had won bets but were shortchanged in their payouts. New Jersey regulators intervened, citing instances where the company had altered odds when making the payouts.
The controversy surrounding bet365 serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in holding sportsbooks accountable for their actions, particularly in cases where bettors feel they have been wronged. As the sports betting landscape continues to evolve, transparency and fairness remain crucial in ensuring a positive and trustworthy environment for all involved.
