In recent months the debate surrounding Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) has encompassed English football and with the FA cup returning to our screens this weekend, the debate looks set to recommence.
In a recent interview with SBC, Jeevan Jeyaratnam Head of Compilation at Betting data and tailored odds specialist Abelson Info predicted that it was “highly likely that some of the UK operators will offer VAR concessions as a sweetener to offset any potential punter antipathy towards in-play wagers.”
And this weekend, Paddy Power have proved him right, offering a VAR money back special to new and existing customers with registered Paddy Power accounts, that bet on the FA Cup 5th round games which feature VAR, namely Chelsea v Hull and Huddersfield v Man United.
If a punter backs a first or anytime goalscorer, and it is ruled out because of VAR, the firm will pay out bets in full within 15 minutes of the goal being disallowed.
A spokesman for Paddy Power said: “Whether you’re of the belief that VAR ruins or saves the beautiful game, we don’t care, we’re paying out on it.
“That way, when Lukaku finally scores after 20 attempts on goal against Huddersfield, and it’s ruled out, at least Man United fans will have full pockets.”
Marketing & Brand Director Michelle Spillane added: “Paddy Power’s objective here is to bring our brand personality to a contentious topic – VAR.
“We knew a lot of football fans were frustrated at losing out when a goal was disallowed. So we thought, why not turn it on its head?
“So we decided to pay out on any first or anytime goalscorer that was thwarted by VAR in this weekend’s cup games.
