Originally Posted by
RedApples
Still, I'm pretty sure the line needs to be drawn somewhere. The language is going to have to say X amount of games, or its gotta say something to the effect of whatever the NBA officially recognizes? The latter seems wayyy more confusing, for the reason I posted above and more. Not only that, but how about bettors who made bets or would make bets on an underdog the day before a co-vid? They lose on the variable of a potential shutdown? For something that is thought to be completely invariable by nature? So there would need to be language in the TOS to make clear that's part of the equation. In the end I can't see it being a better choice to not have a set amount of games or clinching (like O/U win total) as the equivalent for a win.
BTW we are dealing with a situation that would be similar to what you are proposing, in Zion v Morant ROY props. Ostensibly Zion would've had a much greater chance to catch Morant in the ROY had the season not been put to a halt, re-starting with only 8 more games. Imagine if Zions team was just completely out of the tournament. It would be a complete kick in the nuts, and it is already a kick in the nuts to Zion backers the way it has played out. Could it be avoided? No chance. In a perfect world would you avoid situations like that if you could, so long as there was strong logic to do so? Probably. I think thats what we have in the NBA division winner scenario. I say booking wins on abridged outcomes for events that have an intended length is not the right call. Trying to think of places that we do see it in the futures market and I'm drawing a blank outside of props like ROY where a player could get injured etc and theres no set duration ie. a player could get injured and play no games, while the Nets will always play a full season unless outside forces change the structure of the game.
In grading outcomes for sports wagers you always want to cover all bases and have things as clear as possible with the correct outcome. If your proposition is something you'd prefer, more power to you. I'd be uneasy honestly. Already feeling that way with NFL futures... if books are going to grade winners on a shortened season I really would like to know upfront, and outside of this co-vid scenario I really would hope shortened season winners that weren't a clinch would be refunded. It's not complete to me, and its outside of my intention when I go to make a bet.