Bookmakers refund bets after “helping hand” undoes Irish hopes.

If you had a bet on Ireland to reach the World Cup Finals in South Africa we hope that you had it with one of three of our recommended bookmakers. Nothing can be done about  the tragedy of not qualifying but three bookmakers believe in fair play (which is part of the reason that we recommend them) and are taking action. Paddy Power  and William Hill are both refunding bets directly which will cost them  collectively somewhere approaching €200,000. A William Hill spokesman said “Leaving aside any moral scruples and the fact that no-one knows what would have happened if the goal had been disallowed, William Hill feel that they are being as fair as possible to everyone by returning stake money to those who bet on the Irish going through” and the Paddy Power blog said they were refunding €110,000 to those who had bet on Ireland reaching the finals as well as €140,000 having promised to refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast bets if Ireland won the game in 90 minutes. In Boylesports own words “after being cheated out of winnings by the French captain” they are also making a gesture by offering a free bet to  those who had bet on an Irish victory. Frustrations still run high but at least these three bookmakers are trying to ease the pain.