Placing a bet online or in a shop might seem simple, but the steps that turn a slip into a confirmed result are not always obvious. Terms used by betting sites can be confusing at first, especially if you are new to it.
This guide explains what a settled bet is, how bookmakers confirm outcomes, and what happens in special cases like dead heats, partial settlements, accumulators, cash outs and free bets. You will also find tips on checking your bet status and key settlement rules to know.
It is written to help you understand how settlement works so you can follow your bets with confidence and stay in control of your spending.
What Does "Settled Bet" Mean?
A “settled bet” is a bet where the result is confirmed and the bookmaker has updated your account to show a win, loss or refund. If it wins, any returns are paid into your balance. If it loses, there is nothing more to come back.
Settlement only happens once the relevant part of the event is over. For a football match, that usually means after the final whistle. For a horse race, it is after the official result is declared.
Until then, a bet is “open” or “pending” and its status can change as the event unfolds. Settlement decisions are based on official results from the sport’s governing body. You can see whether a bet is settled in your online account under sections like My Bets or Bet History, or by asking in a shop with your receipt.
Understanding that distinction between open and settled is the foundation for everything that follows, including how unusual situations are handled.
How Do Bookmakers Decide A Bet Outcome?
Bookmakers use official results to settle bets. In football, for example, the outcome is settled on the result confirmed by the referee and competition organiser. In racing, the “weighed-in” announcement signals that the official placings stand. If a decision is reviewed using technology, such as a photo finish or video assistant, settlement follows the confirmed call.
If a result is later overturned by an appeal or tribunal, most bookmakers leave settlements as they were at the time the first official result was published. This avoids reopening markets long after an event has finished.
Each bookmaker sets rules for unusual situations, including postponed or abandoned matches and incomplete games. These are published in their terms and conditions and are worth a look so you know what to expect. Settlement is usually processed as soon as practical once the official result is available, though in-play markets can take a little longer if checks are needed.
Types Of Settled Outcomes
A settled bet usually falls into one of several main outcome types, depending on how the event finishes and the wager itself.
Win: The bet is declared a win if the chosen outcome happens. Winnings, based on the original stake and odds, are paid into the account.
Loss: If the chosen outcome does not happen, the bet is settled as a loss. No money is returned.
Void: In some cases, a bet is made void. This may happen if an event is cancelled, a participant is withdrawn, or if there is no result for reasons set out in the bookmaker’s rules. The original stake is usually refunded.
Partially Settled: A bet may also be partially settled, sometimes seen with in-play bets or certain multiple wagers. This means part of the bet is settled while the rest remains open.
Dead Heat: Where two or more outcomes tie, a dead heat result may be declared. In these situations, settlements are shared between the winning parties.
Knowing these outcomes makes the next scenarios easier to follow, especially when results are shared or only part of a bet is ready to be paid.
How Do Dead Heats And Partial Settlements Work?
A dead heat happens when two or more selections finish in the same position. In a horse race, that could be two runners sharing first place; in golf, several players might tie for a placing. In a dead heat, settlement is shared. For example, if two horses tie for first and you backed one of them, your stake is effectively halved for settlement purposes and paid at the full odds on that half. If three tied, your stake would be divided by three, and so on.
Because both the qualifying stake and potential return are split, the payout will be lower than if there had been a single winner. Bookmakers apply this method consistently, and their rules include worked examples if you want to see the exact calculation they use.
Partial settlements arise when part of a bet is decided while other parts are still in play. This is common with in-play and some multiple markets. For instance, a bet builder might include a first goalscorer and a match result. If the first goalscorer lands early, that element may be settled, while the rest waits for the final whistle. Your account will show the settled portion and the remaining open parts separately.
If you understand how stakes are split in dead heats and why partial settlements appear at different times, it becomes much easier to make sense of the figures in your bet history.
How Are Accumulators And Multiples Settled?
Accumulators and multiples link more than one selection into a single bet. With an accumulator, every selection must win for the overall bet to be settled as a win. If any part loses, the whole bet is settled as a loss.
With doubles, trebles and larger multiples, each selection is settled in turn. Any returns from the first leg become the stake for the next, and so on. If a selection is void, most bookmakers remove that leg and recalculate the bet on the remaining parts at the original odds. For example, a treble with one void leg usually becomes a double.
Some multiples include permutations, such as a Yankee or Lucky 15, where different combinations of your selections are covered. Each individual line within those bets is settled on its own merits, which is why the final return can include a mix of wins, voids and losses.
If you like multiples but prefer more control over when a bet ends, the cash out section below explains how early settlement works.
How Do Cash Outs Affect Settlement?
Cash out lets you settle a bet before the event finishes, based on the current position. The offer reflects the live odds and the status of your selections, so it updates frequently and can be suspended if key moments are under review.
Once you accept a cash out, the bet is settled immediately at the stated amount. The final result will not change that figure, even if the original selection later goes on to win by a wide margin or turns around completely. Not all markets are eligible, and availability depends on the sport and situation, so it is worth checking the terms on the bet slip.
Used thoughtfully, cash out is a practical way to manage risk or bank a return early. It should not be used to chase losses, as the offer is simply a reflection of the current market.
How Do Free Bets And Bonus Bets Settle?
Free bets and bonus bets are promotions that let you place a wager without staking your own cash. Settlement follows the same principles as a standard bet, with one key difference: if the bet wins, you usually receive the profit only, not the value of the free bet stake. For instance, a £10 free bet at 3/1 would return £30, not £40.
Some promotions carry extra terms, such as wagering requirements, market restrictions or expiry dates. Those conditions affect how and when any returns become withdrawable, so it is sensible to read the small print before you place the bet.
Once the event is complete and the result is official, the bookmaker settles the free or bonus bet in the same way as a real-money wager, and your account balance is updated. If you are using offers regularly, it helps to keep an eye on which credits are still valid so you do not miss a deadline.
Next, let’s look at where to view those settlement updates in your account.
How Can I Check The Settled Status Of My Bet?
Most online accounts have a My Bets or Bet History section that shows both open and settled bets. A settled bet is clearly marked, along with the outcome (win, loss, void) and any paid return. You will often see the exact payout or refunded stake listed beside each selection.
If you placed a bet in a shop, bring the receipt back after the event. Staff can check the outcome and pay any returns due at the counter, subject to the shop’s rules on time limits for claims.
Occasionally, settlement is delayed. This can happen if an official review is in progress, a finish requires technology to confirm the result, or the event has been interrupted. Your account will update as soon as the bookmaker processes the outcome.
With the basics covered, it is useful to know the common rules that sit behind these decisions.
Common Settlement Rules To Watch For
Bookmakers set settlement rules in their terms and conditions, and it pays to know the broad outlines. If an event is abandoned or cancelled, bets are often made void with the stake returned, unless enough of the event was completed for certain markets to stand. The exact threshold varies by sport and by bookmaker.
Settlement is based on official results from referees, race officials and governing bodies, even when those decisions divide opinion. In markets with multiple selections, such as accumulators, a void leg is usually removed and the rest recalculated. Partial settlement is used when part of a bet has an official result but other parts remain live.
Some operators also apply time limits for raising disputes or claiming shop winnings. If you think there is an error, contact customer support promptly and keep any receipts or screenshots to hand.
If gambling starts to affect your well-being or your finances, seek support early. Independent organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware provide free, confidential help. Understanding how settlement works should make your betting activity clearer and easier to manage.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.