A dream win turned into a devastating nightmare for an Australian Rules Football (AFL) fan after a betting giant voided his staggering £70,000 prize due to a controversial family connection.
The punter, whose identity remains confidential, successfully predicted the first goal scorers across nine separate AFL matches in a multi-bet placed with Sportsbet. The incredible feat of tipping skill was instantly invalidated when the company discovered the man's brother is none other than Sydney Swans ruckman Brodie Grundy.
The Fine Print That Cost a Fortune
Sportsbet enforced a strict clause in its terms and conditions that prohibits "any person directly or indirectly involved in a match or event" from betting on it. The company classifies immediate family members of players as falling under this rule, citing potential inside information and conflicts of interest.
Despite the fan's protests that he had no privileged knowledge and made the picks himself, the ruling was final. The bet was cancelled, and all potential winnings were confiscated.
A Wave of Public Sympathy and Outrage
The decision has ignited a firestorm of debate across Australia and the sports world. Many have rallied behind the fan, arguing the punishment is excessively harsh and that the terms and conditions are overly broad.
Others have taken to social media to question how the rule applies to a multi-bet involving nine different matches, suggesting the influence of a single player's family member across so many games is negligible.
For now, the fan is left empty-handed, and the case highlights the stringent, often controversial, rules that govern the world of sports gambling.
