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What are Settled Bets? How Long Does it Take to Settle?

In this betting guide, we take a closer look at the settled bets and explain how they work at sports betting sites. The name of these bets is self-explanatory. They refer to wagers that the bookmaker validates. When you wager on horse racing, football, or any other sport you try to make a correct prediction.

Your open bets could be about a double chance market, an each-way bet, or a combination of the above such as the teaser betting option. Until the event concludes, the wagers will stay open and they will be regarded as unsettled bets. The payout is only released after the games have ended when the winning bets are paid.

Top 10 bookmakers for settled bets in 21 November 2024

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Rating 9.12 out of 10

How are Bets Settled?

What does it mean when the bets are settled? This happens when the bookie determines the result of a placed bet and pays the winners. This occurs as soon as a single bet is decided for straight betting.

Sportsbooks have their sources of data but usually use official channels. If the bet is lost, the initial wager is subtracted; otherwise, the profit is credited based on the fixed odds.

The bets are settled as follows:

  1. The bet settlement starts when the event on which the wager was placed concludes. This can be a money line bet, total goals, Asian handicap, or other betting options.
  2. Online bookmakers gather the official results from a trusted source. They verify the outcome to prevent errors and settle future disputes.
  3. The result is compared against the conditions of the single or parlay bet. If the conditions are met for winning bets, they are paid; otherwise, the wagers are deemed to be losing bets.
  4. The best sports betting exchanges and bookmakers have automatic settlements for pending bets. The money is automatically credited to the winning players’ accounts.
  5. Sometimes, manual verification is needed, especially when betting mistakes occur. Once this process concludes, the settled bets lead to the account balance update.

Factors that influence bet settlements

Many factors such as the ones below can influence the outcome of the bet placement:

  • The nature of the sport and the betting markets play an important role;
  • Live bookmakers have to verify the results when bettors wager in play;
  • For horse racing, the outcome is determined after the verification of finish line cameras.
  • If you wonder why your bet is not settled, the answer can be a technical issue.

Different Types of Settled Bets

Settled bets come in different forms based on their outcome and status. Games that are in progress and matches that were postponed and scheduled to resume within 48 hours appear as unsettled bets. When you learn how to bet on football, you must be aware of the possible results of the settled bet.

  1. A winning settled bet occurs when the bettor makes the correct prediction, and the bookie confirms the outcome. Depending on the betting odds, the corresponding payout is made.
  2. Losing bets are settled when an incorrect prediction is made. You usually have to wait for complex system bets until the bookmaker settles all the selections.
  3. Void and cancel bets occur when the game is canceled or doesn’t happen for any reason. A bet canceled or voided will be subtracted from the betting slip, and bettors get odds of 1.00.

Common Problems with Settled Bets

Betting settlements are usually done smoothly, and the sportsbook automates the process. There are situations when problems occur, and you must be aware of them when betting on sports. Wagers can be delayed or settled incorrectly; players must know what can be done when this happens.

Bets are delayed:

  • Bookies encounter technical issues that prevent them from performing reliable settlements.
  • The process is delayed, and select settled bets can appear as pending after the match has ended.
  • Bettors should patiently wait for the single wager or a parlay to be settled.

Incorrectly determined bets:

Settled bets can sometimes be incorrectly determined, even at licensed and regulated online betting sites. There are several reasons for this and different ways to tackle the problem.

  • Incorrect odds can prompt a bookmaker to suspend active and settled bets. The bet takes longer to pay and is usually voided, so you recuperate the stake.
  • Insufficient data regarding the match or the betting rules can delay the bet settlement. If this happens, the game will be settled based on the bookie’s terms and conditions.
  • Technical issues can cause settled bets to be displayed as pending or lost. This is usually resolved quickly; winnings are only credited to your account.
  • Conflicting match results caused by controversial referee decisions can lead to incorrectly settled bets. Most games are correctly settled later when the bookie gets the updated information.

Resolving Disputes

Delayed bets are usually the result of technical issues. Bookmakers are aware of these problems and actively work on resolving them, so the best thing you can do is wait. Contacting customer support will only confirm the nature of the issue and offer an informative time for its resolution. When you have incorrectly settled bets, these are the five steps to take:

  1. Read the terms and conditions to determine if the bet was indeed settled incorrectly. Make sure you understand the rules, as there is a chance the bet is indeed lost.
  2. Contact customer support via email or live chat and notify them about the issue. Their experts can investigate on the spot and provide an answer or refer to a competent colleague.
  3. Escalate the problem to a relevant department and wait for their specialists to weigh in. You might be contacted again and required to provide proof or explanations.
  4. Gather evidence, such as screenshots of the settled bets, the balance, and chat transcripts with customer support. These will be handy during further communications with support.
  5. If the bookmaker doesn’t provide satisfying explanations, issue a former complaint with the licensing body. This is a solution of last resort, so it pays to choose a licensed and regulated bookie.

How Long Does It Take for a Bet to Be Settled?

When you try to make money betting on football, you want settled bets as soon as possible. There is always a waiting time, but this can differ from one platform to another. Once you understand what are settled bets, you won’t have a problem distinguishing between pending and final wagers. The standard waiting time is a maximum of a few minutes after the match and or the market is settled.

For handicap betting, the bets are paid when the regulation time expires. Live betting markets, such as the next corner kick, booking, or goal, normally benefit from even faster settlements. In case of contentious situations, further verification is needed. Some of these factors, such as the video assistant referee, are related to the game. Others depend on the sportsbook’s ability to settle free bets quickly.

E-sports betting sites are notorious for taking longer to produce settled bets. The usual culprits for delayed bets are First Blood, First Dragon, and First Tower kills. Sometimes, you must wait until the final whistle or the entire series for a winning bet to be paid.

Pros and Cons of Settled Bets

PROS

  • If you wait for the settled bets online you get the maximum profits.
  • The best bookmakers will validate open bets much faster.
  • Settled bets will count towards wagering requirements.
  • Easy money management, as your account balance is updated when bets are settled.

CONS

  • You can lose the entire settled bets parlay in the last second of the last match.
  • Your money is locked down until the match is decided and the bet is paid.

Maximize Your Winnings with Settled Bets

Patience is a key quality in betting, and those who take their time and persevere are rewarded. If you wait for settled bets, you win the maximum amount corresponding to the fixed bets. This is the best way to extract the most from your football betting strategies with each winning bet. The alternative is to use cash-out bet features and take a percentage of the potential winnings.

The waiting time for settled bets is a good indicator of how professional the sportsbook is. Choose bookmakers that pay quickly and aim for an average waiting time of less than a minute. This is how you can convert winning sports betting tips into big wins consistently and reliably.

Different types of related bets

FAQs on Settled Bets

A settled bet refers to a wager whose outcome has been determined. For decided markets, it can be a winning or losing bet, and if the match didn't occur, it can be avoided or canceled bet.

The best sports books will settle a bet in less than a minute after determining the outcome. The waiting time can increase due to technical difficulties or further verifications.

Settled online bets can only be reversed if the bookmaker incorrectly validated the outcome.

This usually stands for victory, to help players distinguish winning bets from lost ones.

Settled bets are automatically removed from the list of active wagers when they are decided. They only appear when you visit the archive section, but only the bookmaker can remove them.

There are several reasons a bet may not be settled, such as ongoing events or delayed results. The bookmaker can still verify the outcome or wait for the official results. The sportsbook's specific rules or procedures could also delay the settlement of bets.

Open bets are active wagers on events that have yet to conclude, so the result has yet to be decided. Settled bets are wagers where the game ends and the official results are in. The winnings are calculated by multiplying the odds with the stake and credited to the online balance.