Illinois Gaming Board Rejects Bettor’s Claim in BetMGM Dispute

Illinois Gaming Board that s BetMGM’s decision to void the wagers.

Mark Aiello, a military veteran from Roselle, Illinois, placed a series of parlays during March Madness that, had they been honored, would have earned him $389,000. But the sports betting operator canceled the bets before the game began, citing a glaring odds error—one state regulators ultimately agreed with.

Bets Voided Over “Obvious” Odds Glitch

Aiello had bet on several statistical outcomes involving Chicago Bulls players in a matchup against the Indiana Pacers. While the wagers were successful in of predictions, BetMGM claimed that the listed odds were “incorrect or inflated,” voided the bets, and returned Aiello’s original $500 stake.

“The odds originally offered—+17500, +25000, and +35000 on separate legs—were not properly updated,”BetMGM told regulators. Shortly after the bets were placed, the company revised those figures to significantly lower amounts, such as +1860 and +2700.

The gaming board’s decision hinged on timing. Regulators confirmed that BetMGM adjusted the odds before the Bulls game started and did so in a manner consistent with correcting a mistake. As such, the board found the company acted within its rights, citing its “good faith effort” to address the pricing glitch.

Industry Experts Weigh In

Gaming attorney and consultant Elihu Feustel, who writes about strategies to maximize betting wins, acknowledged that while Aiello’s frustration is understandable, the legal framework backs BetMGM in this instance.

“What probably happened is they had a glitch,” Feustel explained. “Let’s say I send a $200 deposit to my bank, and they credit me with $20,000 because of a typo. That’s a human error, and under gaming law and under contract law, when there’s an obvious mistake, the transaction is voidable.”

Although Aiello pointed out that at least one of his bets had been accepted by BetMGM prior to cancellation, regulators found no evidence that the company knowingly allowed flawed odds to stand.

Disappointment Remains Despite Legal Justification

Aiello expressed ongoing dismay with the decision, especially after experiencing viral online when his story was first reported by CBS News Chicago. “I figured that they would be honored; and, you know, them making a mistake, I feel like I should be owed something,” he said.

Even if BetMGM were to recalculate Aiello’s winnings using the corrected odds, the payout would be closer to $40,000—not the original $389,000. When asked whether he’d be satisfied with the lower amount, Aiello responded, “That’s the least they could do.”

BetMGM has not indicated whether it will consider compensating Aiello based on the revised odds.

Regulatory Decision Reflects Broader Industry Trend

This case comes as part of a larger conversation about ability in DraftKings also faced scrutiny for voiding $14 million in bets placed by a bettor in Iowa. These cases highlight ongoing tensions between betting platforms and s in an industry increasingly defined by fine print and fast-moving digital platforms.

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Source:

“Illinois state regulators side with BetMGM after canceling man’s bets that would have won nearly $400,000”, cbsnews.com, Jun 6, 2025