For a West Virginia bettor to achieve a seven-figure payout, several factors need to align perfectly, and it all hinges on the Washington Redskins.
$2.8 million for an NFC title?
Last week, the Hollywood Casino Sportsbook at Charles Town accepted a futures bet on the Washington Redskins to emerge victoriously in the NFC title race this season. A remarkable $8,000 stake was placed at odds of 350-1, offering the potential for a staggering $2.8 million in winnings.
Despite seeming unlikely, the Redskins remain a strong contender in the NFC playoff race. With some favorable circumstances, Washington has a chance to secure a playoff spot and compete for the NFC championship.
Both the risky gambler and the William Hill Sportsbook would face significant consequences as a result of this outcome.
What needs to happen?
For this bet to generate genuine excitement, the Redskins’ qualification for the playoffs is crucial. Despite the absence of starting quarterback Alex Smith for the rest of the season, the team’s chances remain alive. With a recent victory against Jacksonville, Washington’s record now stands at 7-7, placing them just one game behind the division-leading Dallas Cowboys.
The NFC Wild Card spots are still undecided. Despite Seattle’s loss and drop to 8-6, the Redskins have a chance to win all their remaining games and claim the No. 5 seed in the playoffs. As for the No. 6 spot, it currently belongs to the Minnesota Vikings, who hold a 7-6-1 record.
In order for Washington to have a chance, it is crucial for them to emerge victorious in their last two games. Firstly, they will be heading to Tennessee this week to face off against the Titans. Following that, they will be hosting Philadelphia in Week 17.
The Redskins and the bettor need help
Despite securing two victories, the Redskins are still reliant on assistance. To claim the division lead, they will require the Dallas Cowboys to lose their remaining two games. The Cowboys are set to face Tampa Bay at home this week and then travel to play the New York Giants in their final game of the season.
If not, Washington will have to rely on support from either Seattle or Minnesota. The Seahawks will face a formidable Kansas City team before concluding their season with a home game against Arizona. Meanwhile, the Vikings will be on the road in Detroit this week and then face the playoff-bound Chicago Bears at home.
If Washington finds itself tied with either team, the tiebreaker will be determined by their win percentage against other conference opponents. Since the Redskins will not have the opportunity to face either Wild Card contender this season, there will be no head-to-head record to consider. ESPN’s calculations indicate that Washington has a 15 percent probability of qualifying for the playoffs.
Once Washington qualifies for the “tournament,” it will have a chance to emerge victorious in the NFC. However, since they won’t be able to secure a first-round bye, Washington would have to triumph in three playoff games in order to claim the championship.
Big impact in WV sports betting?
Despite its unlikelihood, if this bet placed by a West Virginia sportsbook were to succeed, it would have an incredible impact at every level. Undoubtedly, the bettor would emerge as an extremely fortunate and wealthy individual due to their daring and improbable wager.
However, Hollywood Casino and the William Hill Sportsbook may face significant losses due to the absence of mobile betting. As a result, their revenue in West Virginia has been relatively underwhelming thus far.
Paying such a massive amount would have a significant negative impact on the book’s immediate earnings. It is certain that some executives will now be actively unsupportive of the Redskins going forward.