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Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012 | 10:56 a.m.
Frustrated football bettors who took the Green Bay Packers on Monday night and lost on a controversial game-ending call can get a refund if they placed their bet downtown at the D Las Vegas, the casino’s owner said today.
The Packers lost to the Seahawks on the last play of the game after an officials’ call that outraged fans across the nation. It also had a big impact on sports books in Las Vegas, resulting in a $15 million swing by some estimates.
Refunds on all straight bets and all money line Packers bets can be claimed at the cashier’s cage at the D by Sunday. People must present their ticket, showing they placed their bet at the D.
The deal is being offered by the casino and not by William Hill, which operates the D’s race and sports book and 158 others across the state.
Derek Stevens, owner of the D casino and its chief executive, said he was so shocked by how the game ended that he decided to make it up to his customers.
“I’m so disgusted that we are going to refund every bet made on the Packers at the D,” Stevens said. “I know exactly how it would feel if I was laying the number and I saw what happened.”
The D Las Vegas is the new revved-up name for a longtime downtown Las Vegas hotel, Fitzgeralds, which had been in operation since 1987.
Owner Derek Stevens rebranded and refurbished the hotel in fall 2012 to give it a motor city theme, using the nickname of his beloved city, Detroit, for the name of the new hotel. He also brought in two restaurant favorites from Detroit: American Coney Island and Joe Vicari's Andiamo Italian Steakhouse.
The property features 638 remodeled contemporary rooms and suites. The unique two-level casino included slots and table games. Dancing dealers are featured on the first floor. And the second floor transports guests back in time to old-school Vegas with its Vintage Casino.
The casino also features the LONGBAR, the longest bar in Nevada, where sports fans can watch games on big screen TVs. Outside on Fremont Street, D Bar invites guests and passerby alike to enjoy refreshing frozen libations and specialty cocktails as talented, trickster bartenders send bottles and glasses flying through the air.
The Showroom at the D features the interactive comedy show, "Marriage Can Be Murder," where guests can be part of the mystery.
MR. Stevens is a stand up guy doing this. Putting his money where his beliefs are and making things right of His customers.
Stand-up guy? No, not that many bets were taken. And who would still have their losing tickets??? Pure marketing.
you should keep all your losing tickets. it probably is a marketing ploy but he deserves the recognition. way to go Mr. Stevens. i actually would go there at least he did something. no one else does anything.
Nice gesture. I'm sure most of the tourist who bet there are gone and so are their tickets.
Joan,
If it is one bet or 1000's of bets does not change the fact that Mr. Stevens does not have to do anything but collect his winnings.
He has chosen to do something positive.
I guess it can be worthwhile to hold onto to those tickets. How many are now searching their garbage or dumpster?
Sure it is a publicity tool and probably not many tickets will be refunded, but it puts a more sympathetic human face on Vegas sportsbooks.
Next time a friend of mine wants to know where to stay when they visit, the "D" will be at the top of the list. Brilliant customer service, sir.
Even an idiot should see through this(sadly some couldn't).
The D gets tens of thousands of dollars in free publicity and very possibly wont have to pay out a single cent!
Here's a bet I'd book: You'll never hear how much the D paid out for being a "stand up guy" or their "brilliant customer service".
Refund??? The Packers WON that game!!! He should pay them as winners.
j/k Nice gesture by Mr. Stevens.
Comment removed by moderator. Name Calling
Great publicity but I don't think its the right thing to do. Many games in alot of sports have been decided on bad calls. This is no different.
On another subject: @mrlucky: if you think that the casino business is such a lowly thing I'd venture to say you live in the wrong town, thats if you live in Fabulous Las Vegas!
Mr. Stevens: Thank you for doing something to make the world a little better place. If more people would just do a favor or two equal to their abilities the world would be a better place. Thanks for getting it started.
As to those who question the motivations or claim it's a publicity stunt, so what? Does the refund offer cost you any thing? Impact your life in any way? If not, then shut your negative as* up.
Frankly, I've had it with people who look for ways to drag others down for no reason but their own entertainment. Hope you feel better. I know I do.
Derek is a rock star. I wish everybody in town would do that. I lost 3k on the game.
I do not sports bet, but good job D
Comment removed by moderator. Name Calling
Derek Stevens is one savvy cat. Nice gesture for the D guests, and a genius marketing move!
Classy move Mr. Stevens! I still have my ticket. Thank you, you made my day.
That's ridiculous. If the NFL says it stands behind the final decision, no matter how bad the officiating was, then they should have the final say. You don't see them refunding money to whining Lakers fans after a bad call cost them the game and their bet. Bad calls are part of the game, and The D is setting the wrong example.
I think the guy is wrong for refunding any money. was this a bad call yes but thats the game for years I've bet on games, if this is the case how about when guys are called out when stealing a base and they were safe? or a foul gets called in a basketball game and the guy was never touched but the other team gets two shots and you lose by a half of a point. to think anyone would have a losing ticket all gamblers take there tickets and crumble toss them into the trash if he was going to make good on people's bets he shouldve said something that night after the catch! I would like to know his pay out for tickets turned in now? maybe $20?? if you want a sure bet don't bet football!
First off, The Packers didn't make the spread either way.
The NFL upheld the call on the field and the the replay booth.
The sports casters don't know all the rules that's why they don't work for the NFL.
Sometimes what you see as the way it should be isn't the way the rule book says. aka Tuck Rule and the Simultaneous Catch Rule.
Seahawks have nothing to apologizes for . . .
Artist20: spoken like a true Seahawks fan or someone who was made a winner by the lousy call. Anyhow, I think the gesture is great and is a public relations winner. As for Respondi, she's living proof of the adage that "no good deed goes unpunished."