20Bet
- $330 Bonus
- 170 Free Spins
DraftKings Lawsuit: $14.2M Pebble Beach Betting Dispute Escalates
2025-08-28
For every sports bettor, there’s one ultimate nightmare: you place your wager, your predictions hit perfectly, and the sportsbook refuses payout. That’s exactly what happened to Iowa native Nicholas Bavas, who thought he had won $14.2 million on the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2024. Instead of celebrating, he was left empty-handed by DraftKings – and now it’s turning into a multimillion-dollar legal battle.
How a $325 Bet Turned Into $14.2 Million
In February 2024, 37-year-old Bavas placed $325 on five parlays with DraftKings, all based on the leaderboard after 54 holes. His betting strategy was bold: he suspected that bad weather might cancel the final round.
That prediction came true. Heavy rain and winds forced the prestigious PGA Tour Pebble Beach tournament to stop after just three rounds. The third-round standings became the official final results – and Bavas had nailed every outcome. On paper: $14.2 million in winnings.
Sportsbook Refuses Payout: DraftKings Points to Fine Print
But just as Bavas was counting his jackpot, DraftKings pulled the plug. The sportsbook voided his bets, citing the internal “Tournament Futures Winner” rule:
“Wagers on the outright winner are void if placed after the final completed round.”
Since Round 3 ended up being the last, DraftKings deemed all futures invalid. Instead of millions, Bavas only got his stake back.
DraftKings Controversy: “These Are Parlays, Not Futures”
Bavas isn’t backing down. He argues that his wagers were parlays, not simple futures on the outright winner. He also placed them while the fourth round was still expected to be played, making DraftKings’ interpretation unfair.
That’s why he has filed a DraftKings lawsuit. The case is set for September 28, 2026, and could become a major legal precedent in the U.S. sports betting industry.
Why This Pebble Beach Betting Dispute Matters
This high-profile dispute highlights a frustration many bettors know too well: sportsbooks often lean on fine print to avoid paying out when results don’t go their way. For Canadian and American bettors alike, it raises a critical question: if you win big, can the sportsbook still move the goalposts?
The outcome of the DraftKings lawsuit could shape the future of how betting rules are enforced – and whether players can finally hold sportsbooks accountable when disputes arise.
