Betfred refuse punter £189,000 ‘winnings’ after error on betting slip

[ddm]

Oops.


A bookmaker has refused to pay £189,000 to a punter who made a mistake in writing out a six-horse accumulator and included Bailarico, who finished third, rather than Bialco, a winner. David Smith, a 60-year-old from Loughborough, still received £23,000 from his spectacularly successful choices on that day a fortnight ago but contends that Betfred should have paid him £212,000 and plans to take the matter to the arbitrator Ibas.

Smith’s other five selections in the bet all won: Ardera Cross (40-1), Indian Temple (7-1), Shanroe (9-2), Pennsylvania Dutch (15-2) and Sir Busker (4-1). He argues that he clearly intended to include Bialco, as he wrote “2.15 P” next to Bailarico’s name. Bialco won the 2.15pm race at Perth, whereas Bailarico was third in the 3.40pm at Goodwood. Smith also wrote down the odds that were being offered about Bialco at the time.

Smith says he returned to the shop during the afternoon’s racing, after two of his horses had won. Upon checking his slip, he realised his error and explained it to shop staff, at a time when Bialco had won but Bailarico had yet to race. He says he was assured that the bet would be settled on Bialco and that the decision in the shop, after the other horses had won, was to settle it at £212,000. But when the bet was referred to Betfred security for authorisation the settlement was changed to £23,000.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...p-horse-racing

[VladKing]

I do sympathize with David Smith, but every situation has two different points of view. The first one, David really did a mistake and lost 182k. The second one, he tried to cheat when he realized that Bialco had won the race. You never know

[Pokerface]

It is unfortunate however if I did not make the mistake of choosing the wrong numbers on my lottery ticket I would have won millions.

[baldidiot]

It is unfortunate however if I did not make the mistake of choosing the wrong numbers on my lottery ticket I would have won millions.

Ha ha, yeah exactly.

We have an ex-bookie on staff and he's pretty sure IBAS will side with betfred.

There's a bit about how errors on betslips are handled in his coverage of the news here: https://www.bookiesfreebets.co.uk/20...-slip-mistake/

[MMMikeP]

That's a painful loss, but I can certainly see it from Betfred's position.

[drifter8]

What are 189 000 pounds?

Bookies always try to cheat on clients, however the coin has two sides. I do not believe that 60 years of age man is the fraudster in common sense.

[Swedenbetting]

Hehe, justice will be served here I think. I will actually support Betfred in this matter.

[Cash Bonus]

Very sad. It's really just bad luck for that punter and it doesn't look like Betfred has done anything wrong here either.

[gil.langelaan]

I feel this man. I too always try to write the winners but fail to.

[drifter8]

Think on Brazil that will take the Copa America and make a mistake to put a 1000 quit on Peru. And we will come back here again ))