Sportsbooks give money away. It’s not a secret. We know this to be a key part of their businesses model: free bets to attract new customers.
However, one sportsbook is taking that tactic to a new level this NFL season, giving money back to existing customers for bets that haven’t even settled.
One week after determining the Dallas Cowboys were done just one game into the season and paying out win total under bettors, PointsBet Sportsbook is declaring Russell Wilson’s MVP campaign cooked. And apparently, the book feels bad for people who bet on Wilson to win, because it’s giving them all free bets — whether they placed the bet at PointsBet or not!
Did you bet Wilson MVP on another platform? If you DM your betslip to us with your PointsBet email + state and the word ‘Wilson’ we will give you a Free Bet too!
— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) September 18, 2022
OK, so maybe there’s a business reason for giving these free bets away. It could end up being worth whatever losses the book takes depending on how many customers it can poach away from other sportsbooks. And I’m guessing if there was a large enough bet out there on either scenario, PointsBet would just let it ride.
But make no mistake, there’s still a little risk in both situations. The Cowboys could still clinch their over at 10.5 games — they just upended the Bengals on Sunday in their first game without Dak Prescott. And it’s possible Wilson figures it out in Denver too. His numbers aren’t even that bad as they are; 559 yards, two touchdowns and one interception through two games with 15 more to really get going. His +3000 odds to win at Tipico are tied for 11th shortest.
If those scenarios were to happen, however unlikely, PointsBet is going to take double losses, having paid people who would’ve loss in the Cowboys case, or giving extra money to people who won in Wilson’s case — especially if the free bets result in more winning. But hey, it’s not a bad way to build customer loyalty in a very competitive field. More free money, please.
