Sports betting site forced to apologize for 9/11 themed 'never forget' parlay bet
An online betting company has apologized after offering a 9/11-themed parlay featuring three New York City-area sports teams.
DraftKings shared the parlay, which was titled: Never Forget and urged sports fans to ‘Bet these New York teams to win tonight on 9/11’.
The trio of bets on offer were New York Mets to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, the New York Yankees to win against the Boston Red Sox and the New York Jets to defeat the Buffalo Bills.
As you can imagine, the parlay didn’t go down well online, with incredulous X users taking to the platform to blast the ‘tone deaf’ deal.
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One person fumed: “Nothing like trying to rake millions off of Americans on the back of one of the biggest tragedies in our history. Someone should lose their job over this.”
Another said: “Who thought that would be a good idea? How ignorant can you be?”
While someone else posted: “DraftKings is getting blasted on social media for promoting a ‘Never forget 9/11’ parlay.
“They had to take it down and issue a statement apologizing for it. I don’t know how this idea got through everyone at DraftKings without obviously realizing how bad it was."
A fourth shocked social media user added: “How is DraftKings promoting this on the front page? This is insane behavior.”
The parlay has since been pulled and DraftKings has issued a statement apologizing for the offer.
The Boston-based company said in a statement: "We sincerely apologize for the featured parlay that was shared briefly in commemoration of 9/11.
"We respect the significance of this day for our country and especially for the families of those who were directly affected."
Today (September 11) marks 22-years since the horrific attacks, which saw terrorists crash two commercial aircrafts into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.
A third plane also crashed into the Pentagon, while a fourth – United Airlines Flight 93 – crashed in Pennsylvania after the passengers fought back.
The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people, injuring dozens more.
In a statement to commemorate the anniversary, President Joe Biden said: “September 11 is a day not only to remember, but a day of renewal and resolve for every American — in our devotion to this country, to the principles it embodies, to our democracy. That is what we owe one another. And what we owe future generations of Americans to come.
“Today, we remember the 2,977 precious lives stolen from us on 9/11 and reflect on all that was lost in the fire and ash that September morning. The American story itself changed on this day 22 years ago. But what could not — and will not — change is the character of this nation.”
Topics: US News
Claire Reid