SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Betfred has taken the unusual approach of refunding all customers who placed a bet on Manchester United winning the English Premier League. Owner Fred Done, who has made considerable marketing gains by settling title bets early, is now taking a different approach in a move which will cost the firm £200,000.
Done told the Manchester Evening News: “These loyal fans never had a chance of winning with United. This season the Reds have been useless, hopeless and meaningless. Anyone who has a bet on United winning the title need only take their slip to any shop and I will refund every penny.
“One of the reasons I’m doing this is, and becoming the first bookmaker ever to do so, is because of the way the fans were still singing for their team even though we were losing 3-0 to Liverpool. I couldn’t believe it and they deserve a team much better than that put out by David Moyes.
“They deserved a run for their money and they didn’t get it. They never had a chance. United are robbing the fans. The Glazers, some of whom were there at Old Trafford yesterday, need to get their hands in their pockets.”
Marketing will be one of the topics discussed at the Betting on Football Conference on 8 May at Stamford Bridge.
