Boston-based sports betting company DraftKings has faced criticism for offering a 'Never Forget' parlay bet on the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, according to Boston 25 News. The company has since issued an apology and removed the bet from its platform. The controversial parlay bet involved wagering on the New York Mets, New York Yankees, and New York Jets to win their respective games, with odds at +651.
In response to the backlash, DraftKings posted an apology on X, stating "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." However, this apology was met with negative reactions, with users accusing the company of disrespecting the significance of the day and the people who bet on sports with them, as NBC Boston reported.
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.
— DraftKings News (@DraftKingsNews) September 11, 2023
Others in the media were quick to condemn DraftKings' actions, with Boston Herald columnist and betting analyst Bill Speros expressing disbelief that such a bet was real in a post on X. Speros also called for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to investigate the matter, as noted by NBC Boston.
The controversial bet was removed from DraftKings' platform by late Monday morning. Some social media users gave the company credit for acknowledging their mistake, while others continued to criticize their decision to offer the bet in the first place.
