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Why Was my Bet Cancelled – Reasons and Solutions

Why was my bet cancelled is a puzzling question for many casual batterers. This happens for many reasons, as the cancellation policy differs from one bookmaker to another. This betting guide analyzes all the reasons for common bet cancellations and provides useful solutions.

Beginners will learn about the specific sportsbook cancellation rules and the right course of action when bets are cancelled. The information includes step-by-step explanations of how to appeal a sportsbook decision. Once the uncertainty is removed from the equation, the frustrating why was my bet voided is elegantly solved.

The summary of the article

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The most likely bets to be voided

There are specific bets that tend to become void bets more often than others. The main reason for this is the nature of the type of bet you are trying to place. To explain further, we will look at six of the most axed bets and why they tend to be voided. They include:

Asian Handicaps

Some Asian handicap bets are deemed void (and your stake refunded) if the match ends in a draw after the Asian handicap has been applied. This is common with Whole Line Asian Handicaps, like Asian handicap 1 or -1 Asian handicap.

Goalscorer markets

If you have got a first goalscorer market bet, and your chosen player does not feature in the game (let us say he spends the entire time on the bench or is injured before the match), then you can expect your bet to be voided. This is true also for scorecast bets or wincast bets.

Winter sports

Some outdoor sports in winter require snow. At the same time, other conventional sports (such as football and motor racing) cannot be run in wintery conditions. Therefore, one of the biggest reasons for voided bets in winter is the weather.

Bonus bets

If you actively place a bet using bonus funds, but you wager on something that is now within the confines of the rules, then your bet will be cancelled. For instance, if you bet on a match with odds of 1.20, but the rules state that the betting bonuses must be on odds of 1.50 or greater, then you are bet will become void.

Accumulators

What happens if a bet is voided in an accumulator? This will most likely occur when there are too many selections related to the same event. If you bet on the same team to win and lose on an accumulator, you can expect a swift cancellation.

High odds mistakes

Sportsbooks make mistakes, and this goes doubly so for new bookmakers. If sports betting mistakes such as overly high odds occur, a bookie may have terms and conditions to correct errors with high odds by cancelling bets.

Why would my bet be cancelled or voided? Top reasons

If you spend enough time betting online, you will inevitably ask yourself: Why was my bet cancelled? There are plenty of explanations for why bets are voided and different solutions. These are the main reasons why bet cancellation occurs.

Usual Reasons Why Bets Get Cancelled

Technical errors — even the best bookmakers can encounter technical issues like server or connectivity problems. When this happens, some bets are still pending after the event has ended. In the most severe cases, the bets are cancelled in accordance with the sportsbook policies.

Incorrect odds — Bookmakers have specific betting rules allowing them to cancel bets at incorrect odds. These rules are usually written in the terms and conditions and apply to obvious mistakes in setting the odds. As long as the rules are clearly stated, a voided bet is in accordance with betting regulations and laws.

Cancelled games – when a match is cancelled or postponed for many days, the result is a voided betting slip. Unless a game is resumed within 48 hours, most bookmakers will cancel the bet and issue sports betting refunds.

Non-runners – in racing events, if the horse or greyhound doesn’t participate, bets are voided and the stakes refunded. In football betting, there are betting cancellations explained when you bet on a goalscorer and the player doesn’t start the match.

Suspicion of fraud – bookmakers are risk-averse and try to protect themselves from punters exploiting the system. The betting regulations allow them to cancel bets when they identify suspicious betting patterns, a controversial situation that leads to sports betting disputes.

Push bets – while the bet is not technically cancelled, the stakes are returned when betting on specific markets. The draw no bet is a shining example where the wager is voided if the game is undecided. The betting refund policy applies, but the wager usually appears settled.

What happens if my bet is cancelled?

Depending on the bet cancellation reason, several things can happen. Each site has its own policies, and the betting disputes process can differ from one platform to the other. All licensed and regulated bookmakers must abide by gambling legislation and settle the matter fairly. These are the things you should expect when confronted with sportsbook voided bets.

  • Players are notified that the bet is cancelled and provided with a detailed explanation
  • Customers are warned if they are suspected of policy violation so they don’t persist in error
  • Communication is carried out via email, phone, or SMS with links to the terms and conditions
  • The stakes are returned to the accounts of players who had their bets cancelled
  • Postponed matches resumed within 48 hours and will be settled based on the final result

Bookmakers will do their due diligence and investigate betting site issues internally. This isn’t usually communicated to players, but it is a necessary step to avoid bet cancellations in the future. On rare occasions, when the sportsbook admits fault for the cancelled bet, it can offer compensation. This can be awarded in the form of a free bet, bonuses, or a cash payment.

The cancellation of free bets

Further Information

Things get tough for punters who try to place free bets on voided games.

  • When you claim a bonus, you have the advantage of checking out all the terms and conditions attached to it.
  • Some bookmakers, even those that offer betting exchanges, will allow you to place a new bet if a match is postponed or cancelled.
  • However, if you use your bonus to wager on an event that is not valid, this will not be deemed an error, and you will likely lose your free bet for good.

How to make an appeal if your bet was cancelled?

Things usually improve after the initial frustration prompted by the “Why was my bet cancelled” question. However, there are instances when the betting dispute process goes nowhere. Players who were not satisfied with the manner in which the bookmaker addressed the matter can appeal a cancelled bet. These are the steps to take when treated unfairly to increase the odds of success.

Step 1
Read the terms and conditions to make sure you have a solid case. Carefully go over any explanations provided by the platform regarding the cancelled bet.
Step 2
Make your case by contacting customer support and explaining the problem. Provide the unique reference number assigned to the bet and tell them why it should stand.
Step 3
Save your conversations with the customer support representatives via email or live chat. Keep them at hand in case the betting site disputes escalate.
Step 4
The support team will reassign the case to the competent department for more complex cases. Wait for the final decision in writing and any form of compensation or goodwill gesture.
Step 5
If you are unsatisfied with the results, formally complain to the regulatory body. Provide your name, user account, and transcripts of the conversations with customer support. Use screenshots and any other form of proof to support your case.

Top tips for reducing the chance that your bets get cancelled

There are a few sports betting strategies and tips we can recommend to help you avoid ever asking, “why was my bet cancelled?” Here is what we recommend:

Tip

👉 Avoid “bizarre” bets: Be skeptical of good bets with long odds. This could be a mistake on the bookies part. If they go unnoticed, you could win decent money. However, the bookie will likely correct the wager in time before the event begins.

👉 Access top support: You should only open an account at bookies with top customer service options, clear and transparent betting terms and conditions, various betting currencies and fair policies. This way, if you need help understanding why a bet was cancelled, you can get it.

👉 Place tipster bets: If there is a likelihood that an event will not happen, then a Tipster will likely know about it ahead of time. Using their advice can pay dividends.

👉 Read our guides: Become a more skilled bettor by learning more about sports betting. If you want to learn how to win at sports betting, you cannot go far wrong by reading our guides.

👉 Play at reputable bookies: Only ever play at safe betting sites. Betting scams are commonplace at dodgy sites, and this is where a lot of bets tend to get cancelled for no good reason.

Why was my Bet Cancelled? The Dreadful Question

When you win a bet and have it cancelled instead of being paid, frustration is inevitable. Don’t give into despair and understand why was your bet voided. Once the bookmaker provides an answer to this question, start making your case. Cancelled bets happen for various reasons, but there are only a handful of ways to deal with them.

How to appeal a cancelled bet is easier than one might think. The answers can usually be found in the terms and conditions or the specific rules of each bookmaker. Don’t hesitate to plead your case with the customer support representatives and, if needed, escalate to the regulators. Nobody is above the law, and bettors should vigorously defend their rights.

FAQs: Your questions on cancelled and voided bets answered

The reasons why bets are cancelled range from technical issues and incorrect odds to cancelled games and non runners. Sometimes, bookmakers cancel the bet when they suspect foul play or detect suspicious player behavior.

When a bet is cancelled, the stakes are usually immediately refunded. When the game is postponed and resumes within 48 hours, the bet is displayed as pending. Once the official result comes in, the wager will be settled, and the winnings paid.

Yes, they can. However, only under extreme conditions (such as cheating) and you can check those out via a bookmaker’s Ts and Cs page.

If the sportsbook incorrectly voids your bet, you will need to gather up the proof of why you believe that this is not fair. Submit that to customer support and see what they can do about it.

Play by the rules and review the terms and conditions to ensure you don't commit unintentional errors. Don't bet at odds that don't make sense if you suspect they are published incorrectly.

First, contact the customer support department and plead your case. If you are not satisfied with the answer, contact the regulatory body that licenses the sportsbook. Online bookmakers are required to apply for a license, which compels them to treat their customers fairly.