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Sportingbet takes $5m from punter on one bet

on a 5/1-on favourite. It lost…

Monday 19th April 2004



They say you never see a poor bookie. There are exceptions, but Sportinbet isn’t one of them at the moment, having taken a single $5m losing bet from an Australian businessman. The bet was on the horse Lohnro, 5/1 odds-on favourite in its last race, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick, Australia.

Sadly for Lonhro’s distinguished career, and the unlucky punter, the horse came in second. 'Our staff did go bananas. It makes up for some of the $15 million we've lost on Lonhro the last couple of years,' Sportingbet boss Michael Sullivan said.

'You might say we'll be having a measured drink or two this evening.'

Lonhro was such a hot favourite that One punter held aloft a banner at the Australian Cup proclaiming the three (supposed) certainties in life: Death, taxes and Lonhro!

Lonhro owner Bob Ingham said after the race: 'I'm disappointed all right. Darren stayed back,' Ingham said. 'He should have taken off a lot earlier. He just let them walk in front.”

The losing punter was not, unfortunately, available for comment.




Source: OnlineCasinoNews