Massachusetts Widow's Sports Betting Void Request Granted by Knicks Following Verification
In the aftermath of the New York Knicks successively ousting the Boston Celtics in the NBA playoffs, a Massachusetts widow has experienced a significant financial windfall. The widow's late husband had placed a series of futures bets totalling $106,100 on the Celtics clinching the NBA championship last year.
DraftKings, the sports betting corporation, has mercifully decided to return the initial $106,000 of the widow's stake, having voided the bets in light of the Celtics' premature exit from the competition. The potential liability for DraftKings, given each of the bets had prevailed, would have reached a staggering $384,730.
The request to void these bets was brought before the Massachusetts Gaming Commission in an early March meeting, with the widow's legal counsel urging DraftKings to grant the cancellation. On March 7, DraftKings communicated to the Commission that the deceased patron's legal counsel had requested the termination of nine futures bets. The wagers had been placed on the Celtics winning either the Eastern Conference Championship or the NBA championship.
The Celtics, the runners-up for NBA championship odds, were second only to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the time of the wagers and were favourites to win the Eastern Conference Championship. The widow's husband had placed the bets shortly following the Celtics' 2024 NBA championship victory, during which time the Celtics were favoured to defend their title.
Pete Harrington, DraftKings Senior Counsel, acknowledged the request during the meeting, expressing his belief that providing assistance to the estate and the widow would be beneficial. The Sports Wagering Division concurred, advocating for the cancellation of the bets in accordance with state statute. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission consented unanimously to void all the bets, restoring the $106,100 stake to the estate.
- The Celtics, second only to the Oklahoma City Thunder, were favorites to win the Eastern Conference Championship at the time of the wagers.
- The Celtics, who were runners-up for NBA championship odds, were favored to defend their title following their 2024 NBA championship victory.
- The widow's husband placed the bets totalling $106,100 on the Celtics clinching the NBA championship last year.
- DraftKings, the sports betting corporation, voided the bets, returning the initial $106,000 of the widow's stake due to the Celtics' premature exit from the competition.
