News steps in after William Hill refuses to pay out £2,500 winnings

Football fan Darren Scales fancied a punt on the Dunfermline v Celtic Scottish Cup game and at half-time – with the game tied at 2-2 – was given incredible odds of 50/1 on the final score being 4-2 to the Glasgow giants.

He immediately parted with 50 and at full-time was celebrating being 2,500 richer – until he turned up to claim his winnings.

Staff at the William Hill branch in West Preston Street told him there had been a mistake and despite the odds being clearly marked on his betting slip would not pay out.

He spent two days arguing with the bookmaker to no avail– until the Evening News got involved. William Hill admitted to us there had been a "misunderstanding" and that Mr Scales would be entitled to the full amount.

The Liberton 19-year-old said: "When I first went back into the shop, the man there said to me I was going to be upset.

"He then explained there had been a mistake and that the odds were only meant to be 10/1 for a 4-2 score – but I had been told 50/1. He'd even written it down on the betting slip for me.

"I phoned head office and I was told again there had been a mistake and that it was actually meant to be 7/1, but then they said they would give me 14/1 odds, if I accepted there and then. But that was only 750, so I said no.

"I couldn't believe all the different odds they were telling me and I really felt they had taken my money under false pretences."

Mr Scales had been watching the game on Sunday in Drouthy Neebors, on West Preston Street, when he decided at half-time that it was worth a gamble.

Mr Scales – who is the director of a home improvement company and an avid Hibs supporter – regularly places bets at the shop and insists he would not have put such a large amount on this game if it had not been for the odds he was quoted. He had even placed a further 50 after being given 100/1 odds on the final score being 5-2.

He added: "I am happy I have the money, but the whole thing has been a joke.

"The only reason William Hill paid up was because the Evening News got involved."

A spokesman for William Hill said he had investigated the case and could see "no reason" why Mr Scales should not be given his winnings.

He said there had been "misunderstandings" surrounding his bet.