DraftKings has issued an apology over a New York-focused sports betting promotion it published yesterday (September 11).
The offer that appeared on DraftKings’ website referenced a parlay bet on three New York-based sports team winning. Entitled ‘Never Forget’, the promo had text stating ‘Bet on these New York teams to win tonight on 9/11’.
The NFL’s New York Jets and Major League Baseball teams the New Yankees and New York Mets were playing.
Images of the promotion attracted heavy criticism on social media site X, formally known as Twitter. Yesterday marked the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US.
Almost 3,000 people were killed when terrorists hijacked four commercial flights in the US on 11 September 2001.
The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), an organization of sworn law enforcement officers in the US, hit out at DraftKings over the promo.
“WTF is wrong with you, DraftKings, that you think making light of 3,000 innocent people being murdered is even remotely appropriate to make a joke,” the FOP said on X. “When we say #NeverForget, we don’t mean ‘bet on tonight’s game.’ We mean ‘Never Forget!’”
DraftKings withdraws featured parlay
In response, DraftKings withdrew the promo and published an apology on X. The post has so far attracted over 1.2 million views.
“We sincerely apologize for the featured parlay that was shared briefly in commemoration of 9/11,” DraftKings said. “We respect the significance of this day for our country and especially for the families of those who were directly affected.