The Internet has created a phenomenon where people see a news story and then rush to explain to people with (supposed) lower brain function why they shouldn’t believe what they see. A perfect example of this is the song about DraftKings returning all bets on Aaron Rodgers after his Jets career lasted all four snaps.
The sports betting site, among other thingspunters paid back for that incredibly gruesome beat, and instead of just taking the easily recognizable PR ploy at face value and enjoying the free credits, industry insiders like Darren Rovell fear monger about the precedent this sets, and how sports fans will shout about double standards in the future.
They already do that, and even though there is a first for everything, this forgiveness will not lead to another “Fake bet Friday” special where every third bet is forgiven. Grow up, Peter Pan, Count Chocula.
Perhaps the uninitiated, whose first bet on Sunday was the Jets and Aaron Rodgers, are expecting future leniency, but the rest of the betting public knows you can’t text your bookmaker “Fake Bets” if your parlay fails in the opening minutes of the contest. game, and expect forgiveness.
And it’s not like DraftKings is sending out checks either. It’s a gimmick just like any other sports gambling commercial advertising free money, and if you ask Ben from Laconia or Kyle from San Jose how much site credit is worth, they’ll happily tell you how many times that goes straight back into the digital coffers of the sportsbooks.
Casinos want to keep players gambling, and if your luck breaks as quickly as the Achilles of number 8, you won’t be super excited to return to the tables. This is like someone overdoing the first dose of cocaine, and then the drug dealer tricking the rest of the party into believing his product is safe by handing out some free samples.
“See? It’s okay. I promise you’ll have fun.”
The cynics among us are not so naive as to question the motives behind the refunds, but rather are content with trying to take advantage of the free game. People who side with the gambling public, or the group that always loses to the house, is absurd. What’s next? Reprimand Taco Bell for giving away a free snack every now and then?
“This free food sets a dangerous precedent, and soon so many people will be dependent on gifted Crunch Wraps that we will be drowning in scammers, and others looking to take advantage of society’s hard work. The sky, along with capitalism, is all falling because DraftKings offered a renewal.”
I hate to break it to you, Darren, but Vegas acts a lot like Vegas; it simply has legitimacy now and can offer whatever deals or promotions it wants to continue to burden the ignorant.