Ben Roethlisberger Rape Allegations Lead to Heavy Ravens Betting
Following an AP news story Tuesday that a woman has filed a lawsuit accusing Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of raping her last summer in his Lake Tahoe penthouse, gamblers were scrambling to get their bets in on none other than the Baltimore Ravens.
"Some extra money has been coming in on the Ravens winning the AFC North today," acknowledged Dave Stanley, spokesperson for Sportsbook.com. "I guess some of the bettors out there feel this story has some legs."
Still, the Pittsburgh Steelers remained the favorites to win the 2009 AFC North at -225.
The Ravens would currently pay $350 for every $100 bet if wagers are locked in now and they win the AFC North.
Roethlisberger's lawyer adamantly denied the allegations Tuesday. "Ben has never sexually assaulted anyone. The timing of the lawsuit and the absence of a criminal complaint and a criminal investigation are the most compelling evidence of the absence of any criminal conduct. If an investigation is commenced, Ben will cooperate fully and Ben will be fully exonerated," David Cornwell said in a statement.
The claim seeks at least $390,000 in damages from the quarterback. Teresa Duffy, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office in Douglas County, which includes part of Lake Tahoe, said no complaints were filed about such an incident either with sheriff's deputies or the district attorney's office. The woman's lawsuit says she didn't file a criminal complaint because she feared she would be fired and expected Harrah's would side with Roethlisberger.
Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
