It was another eventful week in the world of gambling.
In this installment of the weekly roundup from US Bets, we’re giving you a rundown of some of the more interesting news nuggets from the world of sports betting and beyond.
Also be sure to check out Sports Handle for its weekly news recap, “Get a Grip.”
Typo costs online sportsbook five-figure sum
Typo in betting line on Cleveland Browns-Kansas City Chiefs playoff game costs BetMGM $10,000 – via @ESPN App https://t.co/ox4Lxamjf8
— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) April 22, 2021
Five-figure bets on near-lock net small wins
Free money?
Two $10,000 bets on Trevor Lawrence to go No. 1 at -10,000 odds came in today at @DKSportsbook.
Each bet would win $100.
— Ben Fawkes (@BFawkes22) April 29, 2021
DraftKings makes key new problem gambling hire
Thrilled to share that I'll be joining the @DraftKings RG team in mid-May as Sr Manager of Responsible Gaming. With rapid expansion comes rapid need for harm prevention & reduction. I'm so excited to help educate, build safer places & keep sharing the message of public health!
— Julie Hynes (@julhynes) April 29, 2021
Tennessee book reports rare negative hold
This is odd: @TNAction247 paid out more in winning bets than it took in handle in March, according to lottery.
Roller-coaster month w/the suspension/litigation with @TNLottery, too.
Plus more numbers around March Madness.
(@brianpempus for @TN_Bets)https://t.co/reqG4yh4B7— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) April 27, 2021
Second online poker site launches in PA
It took awhile to get here, but there's finally some online poker competition in PA: https://t.co/JA0GNQ63wp
— Gary Rotstein (@GaryRotstein) April 27, 2021
Former police officer pleads guilty in bookie case
Ex-Melrose Park cop pleads guilty in gambling case. @RobertHerguth reports: https://t.co/4kZeUVoaJ7
— Jon Seidel (@SeidelContent) April 29, 2021
‘Social’ poker industry begins in Michigan?
Owner Joshua Thatcher of the newly opened ’906 Poker Social’ says it’s the first social club of its kind in Michigan to legally host live poker. https://t.co/ULRi0y8NGE
— TV6 & FOX UP (@wluctv6) April 26, 2021
High-stakes sports gambler sentenced for fraud
Rob Gorodetsky moved to Las Vegas to make something of his life and wound up turning himself into a "human meme," his attorneys said.
"Big Rob Style" was "a living lie," they told a judge, who sentenced Gorodetsky to 28 months in prison for wire fraud. https://t.co/Mr8idGrz5E
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) April 29, 2021
Michigan hotline calls spike in wake of launch
The other side to those ‘impressive’ revenue numbers coming out of Michigan
Calls to Michigan gambling helpline up 5x from last spring with online gaming launch https://t.co/RFjLL7QZ2H
— Brianne Doura (@BrianneDoura) April 28, 2021
Illinois teams oppose loosening betting restrictions
Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman says all D1 state ADs support the current in-state college sports betting ban during a hearing this morning. Lawmakers are considering legislation that would remove the ban in one of 8 states that prohibits such bets. pic.twitter.com/8BDDe03657
— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) April 28, 2021
Flutter accused of not stopping fraudster in UK
🚨 EXC: The UK’s biggest bookmaker has been accused of plying a fraudster with bonuses and hospitality as he bet £282,000 stolen cash.
According to High Court claim, Paddypower staff didn’t raise the alarm when Tony Parente bet £127k in bank notes over the counter over 8 weeks. pic.twitter.com/LmxcG8P1bW
— Tom Witherow (@TomWitherow) April 28, 2021
Massive Bitcoin wager placed on the Kentucky Derby
As sports betting & cryptocurrency investing proliferates, a book claims one U.S.-based bettor has placed the largest wager ever in #Bitcoin.
It's ~$1M, or 20 #BTC, on #KentuckyDerby favorite Essential Quality.@MattRybaltowski discusses with @PlayBUSR.https://t.co/Mx9bjwkEtA
— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) April 30, 2021
‘Mattress Mack’ bets $4 million on KY Derby favorite
Ready to bet on the favorite🐎@ChurchillDowns @KentuckyDerby 147 – hope lots of @GFToday customers win a FREE @TempurPedic mattress! 💤 pic.twitter.com/8giPoFMFZ8
— @MattressMack (@MattressMack) April 28, 2021