One of Australia’s biggest bookmakers, Sportsbet, has decided to pay out all bets on the Panthers winning the minor premiership. And to do that early.
The NRL Grand Final won’t be played until October, but the bookmaker thinks that the championship is as good as over. Therefore, it has paid out all punters that have backed the Penrith Panthers to win the minor premiership early.
Heavy Favourite
Sportsbet said that they have paid out all bets on the Panthers winning the 2021 Premiership, as well as all single bets on them. The Penrith-based side opened betting at $5.00 before the season started and are now priced at $2.75 to win the Grand Final.
They are also the most heavily backed team, but that’s not surprising considering they were unbeaten after 12 rounds of the Australian National Rugby League.
In their statement, Sportsbet said that the Panthers were “absolutely tearing it up” and that with Nathan Cleary leading the charge, they were unstoppable and were “Grand Final bound”.
As a result, according to Sportsbet Communications Manager Richard Hummerston, the bookmaker decided not to let their punters wait and paid all wagers on the Panthers early.
First Defeat in the Season
Interestingly, when Sportsbet made its announcement that it would pay out all Panthers wagers, the Penrith-based team was unbeaten after 12 rounds and was scheduled to play Wests Tigers later that night.
Unfortunately, the Panthers suffered quite a shock and lost that game 6-26. Those Sportsbet early payouts may have been great for punters, but it looks like they jinxed the Panthers.
