We may as well talk about this one as it is particularly relevant this week. Palpable errors are traditionally where the bookmaker has made an error in pricing and they reserve the right to amend the price offered. It is something all bookies include in their T&Cs.
This used to be a much bigger deal than it has been in recent years. That’s partly because the systems bookmakers use to manage liabilities/monitor bets has improved and also a lot of the pricing is now done through third party companies such as BetGenius.
It was traditionally in place to protect a bookmaker if they had offered say 10/1 about something that was 2/1 or shorter. There were never any written rules as to what constituted a palpable error but most of the time as a punter you had no complaints if the bet was voided etc.
It was always about a degree of common sense and fairness to both parties. However, what has happened this week is just a further example of a bookmaker utterly abusing a rule in their T&Cs for their own gain. It is so wrong it is untrue what has happened.
So what happened? Quite a few punters had placed bets on Trey Mullinax to win the Barbasol Golf last week at 175/1 with 10betsports. His price was changed to 100/1, 48 hrs after the event, with the firm claiming it was a palpable error. However, lots of other firms had the same or similar prices. This in no way constitutes a palpable error and is just a bookmaker trying it on at the expense of their customers. It is honestly outrageous that the likes of SBC are having to push and fight for this issue. It is where you need a strong regulator to step in and actually do their job.
If companies want to behave like this then that’s fine. That’s their prerogative. However, they shouldn’t have a UK licence and they should be embarrassed publicly for this stance. Oddschecker should not advertise their products. The Gambling Commission has to actually take meaningful action. What it does reiterate though and something talked about many times before is be careful who you are betting with.
There is no point finding a winner if they wont pay you as advertised. The palpable error rule has always been contentious but this makes it a farce.
A strong regulator like we have seen in America has said that there is no such thing as a palpable error. If you make a mistake you pay. I am beginning to think bookies here cant be trusted and possibly that’s the only way forward.
ProPunting 