LAS VEGAS — Steven Frith said his Las Vegas weekend was ruined when a rare scoring change in a September USC-Utah football game swung the betting result in many sports books from the Utes to the Trojans.
But after weeks of haggling, the USC fan found victory when the Nevada Gaming Control Board ruled in his favor and he received a $200 check.
“I’ve lost plenty of money in casinos over the years,”
Frith said. “It seems only fair that they actually pay on the occasions I do win.”
USC ultimately won the game 23-14, scoring its last touchdown on the final play of the game when Matt Kalil blocked a 41-yard field-goal attempt and Torin Harris returned it for a touchdown. But the touchdown wasn’t counted in the box score at first because of an excessive celebration penalty USC committed when its bench poured out onto the field to celebrate. Right after the game, the score was given as 17-14. Two hours after the game, the Pac-12 said the unsportsmanlike conduct penalties are dead- ball fouls by rule, but this one was automatically declined by rule because the game ended.
Meanwhile, Frith said he feels vindicated to get a little green back. But he’s still irked by the Aria sports book owners, MGM Resorts International, for the hassle. “Next trip, I’ll avoid them,” he said.
The Associated Press
