Thomas McPeek didn’t stumble right into a fortunate streak — he studied for it.
The 24-year-old from Chicago spent final 12 months diving into the world of sports activities betting, inserting dozens of advanced, high-risk wagers on soccer — referred to as parlays — primarily based on odds he believed he might beat.
“It was a calculated assault the place I believed I had an edge,” McPeek told CBS Information Chicago.
In August, he visited the sportsbook on the Horseshoe On line casino in Hammond, Indiana, owned by Caesars Leisure. To make sure his bets wouldn’t be rejected, he remained nameless, making a number of small bets at kiosks as an alternative of with a clerk at a counter.
He even went as far as to disguise himself with sun shades or hiding his hair.
Over the course of a single week, McPeek says he wager round $30,000 and received $350,000.
A month later, he traveled throughout state strains to make use of the identical methods at one other Caesars property — the Isle On line casino in Bettendorf, Iowa. This time, he says his tickets totaled about $450,000 in winnings.
However McPeek says when he tried to money in, each casinos voided his tickets, citing home guidelines and anti-money-laundering insurance policies. He says he’s keen to sue to get his winnings.
McPeek maintains that he performed by the principles however Caesars says he tried to bypass them, notably by crossing state strains — one thing that may violate betting rules.
Scott Morrow, a former on line casino government who now teaches gaming on the College of Nevada—Las Vegas, says Caesars was justified in voiding his tickets on these grounds.
“I’ve a troublesome time discovering sympathy for his case,” Morrow mentioned.
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However Eli Feustel, a seasoned betting knowledgeable and writer, sides with McPeek — not due to how the bets had been made, however due to Caesars’ timing in voiding his wins. He argues that the casinos solely acted after realizing McPeek may really win.
“The clear reply is Caesars owes this,” he advised CBS Information.
The Indiana Gaming Fee says Caesars adopted the principles. Now, regulators in Iowa are reviewing McPeek’s criticism.
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