Navy veteran won close to $400,000 on BetMGM only to have his bet mysteriously canceled
A U.S. Navy veteran who won close to $400,000 on an NBA game had his bet canceled after BetMGM cited an “obvious error.”
Seven hours before the Chicago Bulls took on the Indiana Pacers on March 2, Mark Aiello said he placed four $500 bets on assists and rebounds for the game. The Chicago resident needed six legs to go his way to secure his cash prize.
“When you have a little, kind of, skin in the game, it’s exciting,” he told CBS News Chicago on Wednesday.
Aiello admitted that the odds were not in his favor, peaking at 350-1. To his disbelief, it was his lucky day.
All six legs of his bets had allegedly come in, which was supposed to bank him $389,000.
“Once the game was over, I was just, my heart was racing. I was incredibly excited,” he said, adding that he was thinking of “all the things he could give” his young daughter – including a college education.
But moments later, the dad said he noticed something peculiar on his BetMGM app: all his bets were grayed out.
Just before tipoff, Aiello’s would-be winning bets were allegedly canceled, and his hopes of raking in his six-figure fortune vanished.
Aiello said he received the message: “These wagers were voided due to an obvious error.” According to Aeillo, the error was due to “incorrect or inflated odds per the house rules.”
The dad said that BetMGM traders reviewed at least one of his bets before he was allowed to place it, leaving him confused. Aiello said the bets had stood for seven hours since he initially placed them the morning of the game.
“So I'm wondering where the obvious error was,” he added. “They said because of their mistake, they could do whatever they wanted to.”
BetMGM and other sports betting operators in the state must explain “obvious errors” to the Illinois Gaming Board if a customer files a complaint.
The company told CBS News Chicago that it submitted a complete report on Aiello's bets to regulators. The man is now waiting for the state to investigate the incident.
The Independent has contacted BetMGM and the Illinois Gaming Board for more information.
Topics
-
DePaul Closed Out GTown's BET
Ed Cooley and his charges, like Jayden Epps, couldn't figure out how to defeat DePaul, ousting them from the BETYahoo Sports - 6d -
Takeaways from the Chicago Bulls’ win, including Matas Buzelis hitting a wall and Julian Phillips’ career night
Sometime in the last two weeks, Matas Buzelis hit the rookie wall. Coach Billy Donovan could tell it was coming. Buzelis averaged only 13.9 minutes in his first 49 games. In his last 14 games since ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Bulls vs. Nets odds, line, score prediction, time: 2025 NBA picks, March 13 best bets from proven model
SportsLine's model just revealed its NBA picks for Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls on ThursdayCBS Sports - Mar. 13 -
Nets fall 6 games behind Bulls in Eastern Conference play-in standings
The Brooklyn Nets lost at the Chicago Bulls on Thursday 116-110, putting them six games behind the Bulls in the Eastern Conference standings.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Winners, losers from Phoenix NASCAR Cup race won by Christopher Bell
While Christopher Bell won his third race in a row, some other drivers also left Phoenix feeling good.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 10 -
A Navy veteran and his wife say Tricare rescinded approvals for over $100K in health care claims paid years ago
A Navy veteran and his wife said they were blindsided when Tricare, the military’s health care program, rescinded over $100,000 in medical claims it had approved and paid several years ago.NBC News - Mar. 13 -
Josh Giddey to travel with Bulls on 6-game trip, though it's not clear when he'll return from injury
Coach Billy Donovan said Thursday the point guard will travel with the team and there is “some optimism” he will play during the trip. Giddey left in the fourth quarter of Chicago's win over ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 13 -
Bulls vs. Jazz Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 17
Chicago Bulls vs. Utah Jazz PreviewYahoo Sports - 3d -
Texas self-reports five NCAA violations related to sports betting: Two football players embroiled in scandal
One of the football players, who has since ended his playing career, was deemed to have a 'problem' with sports bettingCBS Sports - Mar. 13
More from Yahoo Sports
-
March Madness: Arkansas, John Calipari hand Kansas its first NCAA tournament first-round loss since 2006
Kansas had one 17 straight first-round games in NCAA tournament play. The win for Arkansas sets up a potential second-round coaching showdown between John Calipari and Rick Pitino.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
NHL has met with Dan Friedkin's group about interest in bringing an expansion team to Houston
Friedkin, who has a net worth of $6.4 billion, according to Forbes, recently bought 98.8% interest in English Premier League club Everton.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Lakers vs Bucks: Live updates and highlights
Live updates and highlights from Thursday's game between the Lakers and Bucks.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
USMNT player ratings — Who showed up, and who didn't in loss to Panama?
Mauricio Pochettino will have far more questions than answers after the USMNT was shocked by Panama in stoppage time of the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal on Thursday.Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Elite TE prospect falls to Rams in new mock draft
The Rams could pounce on one of the best 2025 prospects if he falls to the end of the first round.Yahoo Sports - 20m
More in Sports
-
2025 March Madness TV schedule, announcers: How to watch NCAA Tournament, tipoff times, TV channels, bracket
The complete television and streaming schedule for how to watch March Madness 2025 through the Final FourCBS Sports - 7m -
Mexico vs. Canada how to watch, odds, start time: Concacaf Nations League picks, semi-final prediction
Martin Green has locked in his best bet for Thursday's Mexico vs. Canada Concacaf Nations League semi-final match on Paramount+CBS Sports - 11m -
Will Wade's unabashed honesty and transparency is why NC State wants him and why McNeese is still dancing
The most honest coach in college basketball will soon be off to the ACC, but first: a date with Purdue awaits Saturday in the second roundCBS Sports - 12m -
March Madness: Arkansas, John Calipari hand Kansas its first NCAA tournament first-round loss since 2006
Kansas had one 17 straight first-round games in NCAA tournament play. The win for Arkansas sets up a potential second-round coaching showdown between John Calipari and Rick Pitino.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
NHL has met with Dan Friedkin's group about interest in bringing an expansion team to Houston
Friedkin, who has a net worth of $6.4 billion, according to Forbes, recently bought 98.8% interest in English Premier League club Everton.Yahoo Sports - 16m