Sportsbet loses nearly $1m on early payouts for Manly

SPORTSBET.COM.AU copped another big hiding over the weekend as a result of its popular football betting promotions.

The online bookmaker dished up early payouts to 3492 punters who had backed Manly Warringah to defeat Wests Tigers on Sunday.

The Sea Eagles cruised to the interval with a 20-6 advantage, yet Leichhardt Oval was rocking at the final whistle as the orange and black pulled off their biggest comeback in seven years.

Under the terms of Sportsbet’s 12 Up NRL special, head-to-head bets are paid out as soon as either team leads by 12 points or more.

Thus, Manly backers raked in more than $931,000 altogether on losing bets – much to the bookie’s chagrin.

“At the time they probably didn’t care that we paid them out before half time, but Manly punters are breathing a sigh of relief after that amazing comeback from the Tigers,” said Sportsbet’s Christian Jantzen.

It is not the first time this season that Manly have left bookmakers red-faced.

Indeed, they have now done it twice in as many weeks after rallying from 4-18 down to defeat Sydney in round 22.

That turnaround forced Sportsbet to pay out $600,000 in bets on the Roosters, meaning the Sea Eagles have cost the bookie over $1.5 million in a fortnight.

Jantzen added: “We’ve now joined the rest of the rugby league world as Manly-haters because they’ve cost us plenty!”

Between the 12 Up promo and the equivalent 24 Up AFL betting special, Sportsbet has paid out more than $7 million on losing bets in the 2017 footy season.

Selection: Manly Sea Eagles

Payout: $931,177.90

Customers: 3492