Covers Up: Sports Handicapper Ben Burns Denies Covers.com Exclusivity Demand

Famed sports handicapper Ben Burns is insisting that the popular sports picks website Covers.com has not required exclusivity deals from its sports prognosticators. 

In a Gambling911.com world exclusive, Burns did reveal that sites like Covers.com do frown upon sports handicappers “undercutting” the company by selling their plays elsewhere.

“I am not ‘exclusive’ to Covers,” Burns insisted.  “They haven’t asked this of handicappers.  They do ask that the handicappers avoid undercutting them by selling their plays for cheaper elsewhere.  Many don’t seem to think this is far.  However, it seems like common sense – and common courtesy – to me.”

On Saturday, Gambling911.com reported that four sports handicappers working at both the Covers.com website and rival Pregame.com were told to choose one over the other.  Burns and fellow capper Mark Lawrence elected to work on behalf of Covers.com.  Two other handicappers, Stephen Nover and Scott Spreitzer, chose to stay with Pregame.com. 

The folks from Pregame accused Covers.com of staging a "dodgy" move just prior to the lucrative March Madness betting season, one they claim would eat away at any potential capper earnings during the weeks long period.

“They have pretty draconian rules over there and it really hurts the industry,” remarked the Pregame.com rep in reference to the apparent Covers.com policy. 

“Each site has its own rules and guidelines,” Burns points out.  “Each handicapper is his own brand/company and its up to him to choose whether or not he agrees with those terms. 

“Covers and Pregame use entirely different business models. That includes pricing, naming and rating of games. 

It’s just the nature of the business, Burns stated. 

“Since joining the industry, I've been on and off many sites. In some cases, I've left and been convinced to return. So, its not uncommon for handicappers and handicapping sites to part ways - just part of the business. 

“Ironically, when I first chose to join Covers another site tried to prevent me from doing so. So, sites not always "seeing eye-to-eye" is also somewhat normal. 

“I could go on but ultimately, due to the sales revenue I earn at Covers, I made a business decision to stay with them.”

- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher