South Alabama"s blowout leads to voided bets and unique settlements

On a Thursday night, South Alabama achieved a remarkable victory over Northwestern State, finishing the game with a staggering score of 87-10. This game not only set a new scoring record for South Alabama but also led to significant implications for sports betting due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the game's conclusion. The coaches from both teams agreed to shorten the fourth quarter by six minutes, resulting in only 54 minutes of total play, which is critical for betting outcomes as most sportsbooks require at least 55 minutes for bets to be valid. DraftKings, one of the major sportsbooks, stated that all bets on the spread were voided due to the shortened game time, while they awarded payouts for full game and second half spreads as if they were winners. In contrast, BetMGM voided all full game wagers on Northwestern State but graded South Alabama bets as winners, citing the final score as an official result. This discrepancy in how different sportsbooks handled the situation highlights the complexities of betting rules and the interpretation of game outcomes. The NCAA allows for games to be shortened by mutual agreement of the coaches and officials, which can lead to varying interpretations of betting validity. This particular game was not an isolated incident; similar situations have occurred earlier in the season, with different outcomes for betting based on how much time was shortened. Such occurrences raise questions about the consistency of sportsbook rules and the fairness of betting outcomes in blowout games. As the sports betting landscape continues to evolve, these unique situations will likely prompt further discussions among sportsbooks, regulators, and bettors regarding the need for clearer guidelines and standards to address the implications of shortened games on betting outcomes.