Leading bookmakers Stan James face a no-win situation in Sunday’s World Cup Final in Johannesburg as a result of their decision to refund all losing bets placed pre-tournament on the outright market if Spain win. Holland were the best-backed nation before a ball was kicked and have been well supported throughout the competition and are the firm’s biggest loser.
Under normal circumstances, they would be the worst result possible but as Head Of PR, Charlie McCann, explains:
“Not even Paul the psychic octopus can help us I’m afraid. A Spain victory would complete an unprecedented hat-trick for Stan James customers, given we have already refunded losing stakes in recent weeks on England winning the T20 World Cup and Rafael Nadal the French Open without dropping a set. We have to hold our hands up and say we appear to have got it horribly wrong in taking on the Spanish. The concession obviously attracted new customers, as it gave backers of other nations the insurance of having their losing stake refunded as a free bet if European Champions Spain doubled up in South Africa. Our job is to keep those customers and make Stan James their bookmaker of choice. These are exciting times for the company, but in the short-term we will be refunding all losing pre-tournament bets on the outright market if Spain lift the Trophy. Only backers of Holland will be supporting the Oranje; Stan James punters who have backed England, Brazil, Germany etc will be firmly behind Spain.”
Netherlands v Spain-World Cup Final ~ Match Betting 90 Minutes
11-10 Spain
9-4 Draw
13-5 Netherlands
Netherlands v Spain-World Cup Final ~ To Lift The Trophy
4-7 Spain
6-4 Netherlands
