A void bet is a wager that has been cancelled for settlement purposes, usually because circumstances mean it cannot be settled in the normal way. In many cases, when a standard single bet is declared void, the original stake is returned to the bettor.
Bets can be voided for several reasons. A sporting event might be postponed or abandoned, a player may not participate, or a horse might be declared a non-runner. The way a void selection is handled can also differ depending on whether it was placed as a single bet or included within a multiple.
Exact settlement depends on the sport, market and applicable betting rules. Here, we explain some of the most common situations and what can happen to your stake when a bet is voided.
What Does a Void Bet Mean?
When a bet is void, it is cancelled for settlement purposes rather than being treated as a winning or losing selection.
For a standard single bet, this generally means the original stake is returned.
For example:
Stake: £10
Bet status: Void
Stake returned: £10
It is important to understand that the £10 returned is not a £10 profit. It is simply the original £10 stake being given back.
A void bet is therefore different from both a winning bet, where the bettor receives the applicable return, and a losing bet, where the stake is normally lost.
What Happens to Your Stake When a Bet Is Void?
If a standard single bet is declared void, the original stake is generally returned.
Imagine you place a £20 single bet at decimal odds of 3.00. If the bet wins normally, the potential total return would be £60, including the £20 original stake.
However, if the bet is declared void, you would not receive the £60 potential return. Instead, the £20 original stake would generally be returned.
The key difference is that a void bet has not won. It has been cancelled for settlement purposes.
Why Can a Bet Be Voided?
There are several reasons why a sportsbook may be unable to settle a bet normally.
These can include a sporting event being postponed or abandoned, a named participant withdrawing, a horse becoming a non-runner or circumstances making it impossible to determine the result of a particular market.
Bets may also be affected by errors relating to markets or prices, with settlement determined according to the applicable sportsbook rules.
However, the same situation will not necessarily result in every bet being voided. Different sports and markets have their own settlement conditions, so it is important to check the rules applying to the specific wager.
What Happens If a Football Match Is Postponed?
A postponed football match is one that does not begin at its originally scheduled time and date.
Depending on the applicable betting rules, wagers may remain valid if the fixture is rearranged within a specified period. In other circumstances, affected bets may be declared void and the stakes returned.
For example, if you placed a standard match-result bet and the fixture was postponed, the eventual treatment of that wager would depend on the relevant settlement rules.
If you want a more detailed explanation of the different scenarios, our guide to What happens to your bet if a football match is postponed? covers how postponements can affect football wagers.
What Happens If a Match Is Abandoned?
An abandoned match is different from a postponed one because the event has already started but is not completed as scheduled.
The impact on bets can depend on the market.
Some markets may already have been determined before the match was abandoned. Other bets may depend on a final result or statistic that can no longer be established and could therefore be voided.
For example, a full-time result bet may be treated differently from a market concerning an event that had already occurred before the abandonment.
This is why it is important to check the settlement rules for the particular market rather than assuming that every wager on an abandoned match will automatically be void.
What Happens If a Player Does Not Take Part?
Player-specific markets can also be affected if the named participant does not take part.
For example, a bet on a footballer to score could potentially be affected if that player never enters the match. However, exact settlement can depend on the rules of the particular market.
The same principle applies to other sports where bets are placed on individual player performances.
Participation rules are especially important because some markets can have different conditions concerning whether a player must start the event or simply take part at some stage.
Football settlement can also depend on which period of the game a market covers. If you are unsure whether a market is settled over 90 minutes or includes additional periods, our guide to Do football bets include extra time? explains how extra time can affect different types of football bets.
What Happens If a Horse Is a Non-Runner?
A non-runner is a horse that was expected to compete but is withdrawn before taking part in the race.
If you placed a standard bet on a horse that is subsequently declared a non-runner, the wager may be void and the original stake returned, depending on the relevant rules and type of bet.
A withdrawal can also affect other bets in the same race. In certain circumstances, deductions may be made from returns on remaining selections to account for the non-runner.
Horse racing has specific settlement rules, so it is worth understanding them separately. Our guide to What happens to your bet if a horse is a non-runner? looks more closely at non-runners and how they can affect existing bets.
Can a Bet Be Voided Because of an Error?
Bets can sometimes be affected by an obvious pricing, market or technical error.
For example, a market could be displayed incorrectly or a price could be offered in error. How the bet is subsequently handled will depend on the applicable sportsbook terms and settlement rules.
It is therefore not accurate to say that every mistake automatically results in a void bet. The circumstances and relevant rules need to be considered.
If you notice that one of your wagers has been voided, checking the market details and settlement rules can help explain why.
What Happens to a Void Bet in an Accumulator?
Void selections can work differently when they form part of an accumulator.
In a standard accumulator, a void selection is generally removed from the calculation and effectively treated at odds of 1.00. The remaining selections can then continue.
For example, imagine a three-selection accumulator contains:
Team A: 2.00
Team B: 1.50 – VOID
Team C: 2.00
The original combined odds would be:
2.00 × 1.50 × 2.00 = 6.00
Once Team B is voided, its price is effectively replaced by 1.00:
2.00 × 1.00 × 2.00 = 4.00
A £10 stake would therefore have revised combined odds of 4.00 and a potential return of £40 if the remaining selections win.
This means one void selection does not necessarily void the entire accumulator.
If you are unsure how accumulators differ from bets where multiple selections from the same event are combined, our guide to Bet Builder vs accumulator: what’s the difference? explains how the two bet types are structured.
Exact settlement can vary for particular multiples, promotions and betting products, so the relevant rules should always be checked.
What If Every Selection in an Accumulator Is Void?
If every selection in a standard accumulator is declared void, there are no remaining selections capable of determining whether the bet wins or loses.
In this situation, the original stake would generally be returned.
For example, if you placed a £10 accumulator and every selection was subsequently voided, the usual outcome would be the return of the £10 stake rather than a winning payout.
Again, particular products or promotions can have their own conditions.
Is a Void Bet the Same as a Losing Bet?
No. A void bet and a losing bet have different outcomes.
| Bet result | Typical outcome |
| Winning bet | Stake plus applicable profit returned |
| Losing bet | Stake lost |
| Void single bet | Original stake returned |
With a losing bet, the conditions required for the selection to win were not met.
With a void bet, the wager has instead been cancelled for settlement purposes. For a standard single bet, this generally means the bettor is placed back in the financial position they were in before placing it.
For example, if you stake £10 and £10 is returned because the bet is void, your profit from that wager is £0.
Is a Void Bet the Same as a Push?
A void bet and a push can both result in the original stake being returned, but the reasons are different.
A void bet generally occurs because circumstances prevent the wager from being settled normally under the applicable rules.
A push can occur in certain betting markets when the result lands exactly on the specified betting line.
For example, a whole-number handicap or totals market can potentially produce a push if the adjusted result finishes exactly on the line. Settlement varies by market, so the specific rules should always be checked.
Do You Get Your Money Back on a Void Bet?
For a standard void single bet, the original stake is generally returned.
If you stake £5 and the wager is void, you would typically receive the £5 stake back. If you stake £20, you would typically receive £20 back.
This should not be confused with receiving a winning return. No profit has been generated because the wager has been cancelled.
For accumulators, the situation can be different. Rather than returning the full stake immediately, the void selection may be removed while the remaining selections continue.
How Long Does a Void Bet Take to Be Settled?
There is no single timeframe that applies to every void bet.
In some cases, a sportsbook may need to wait for official confirmation that an event has been postponed, abandoned or cancelled. It may also need confirmation that a participant has officially withdrawn or failed to take part.
Settlement timing can therefore depend on the sport, competition and circumstances.
If you have a bet with NetBet Sport that has been affected by an unusual event, you can check the bet’s status alongside the applicable settlement rules.
What to Check When a Bet Is Voided
If you see that one of your bets has been voided, first check the status of the sporting event and the specific market you selected.
It is also worth checking whether the wager was a single or part of a multiple, as this can significantly affect what happens next.
For accumulators, look at whether the remaining selections are still active and whether the combined odds and potential return have changed.
For sport-specific situations such as postponed football matches, non-runners or player withdrawals, consult the relevant settlement rules rather than assuming all bets on the event will receive the same treatment.
Understanding Void Bets
A void bet is a wager that has been cancelled for settlement purposes. For a standard single bet, the usual result is that the original stake is returned rather than the bet being recorded as a win or loss.
Bets can be voided for a variety of reasons, including postponed or abandoned events, participant withdrawals and non-runners. The exact outcome depends on the sport, market and applicable rules.
Void selections within accumulators can work differently. Rather than cancelling the entire wager, the void selection is generally removed and the remaining selections continue at revised combined odds.
When betting at NetBet Sport, check the rules associated with the relevant sport and market so you understand how unusual circumstances may affect settlement. As with all sports betting, only bet what you can afford to lose.
Void Bet FAQs
Do you get your stake back if a bet is void?
For a standard single bet, the original stake is generally returned when the wager is declared void. This is a return of the stake rather than a winning profit. Exact settlement depends on the applicable betting rules.
What happens if one bet in an accumulator is void?
A void selection in a standard accumulator is generally removed from the calculation and effectively treated at odds of 1.00. The remaining selections can then continue, with the potential return adjusted accordingly.
Why would a bet be voided?
A bet can be voided for several reasons, including a sporting event being postponed or abandoned, a participant not taking part or a horse becoming a non-runner. Bets can also be affected by market or pricing errors. The exact treatment depends on the relevant sport and market rules.
When you choose NetBet Sport, you can enjoy a whole range of top-quality sports and markets. Whatever you choose, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at NetBet, player wellbeing is our number one priority – check out our Responsible Gambling tips and tools page for more information.