What happens to your free bet if a match is postponed?

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ByLucas Portela
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It is a classic British weather scenario: you have used your hard-earned free bet on a Saturday afternoon kick-off, only for a torrential downpour to get the match called off. In the UK, the rules for voided or postponed matches are designed to be fair, but how they affect your free bet specifically depends on your wager type.

1. Single Free Bets: The “Token Return”

If you placed your free bet on a single match (e.g., Liverpool to win) and it is voided or postponed beyond the bookmaker’s “grace period” (usually 24 to 72 hours), you will not lose your bonus.

  • What happens: The bet is settled as “Void.” Since there was no cash stake to return, the bookie will typically credit a new free bet token of the same value back to your account.
  • The Expiry Catch: Be careful. The “returned” token might still carry the original expiry date. If you do not see the token in your balance within an hour of the official postponement, a quick nudge to Live Chat usually fixes it.

2. Accumulators (Accas): The “Next Best” Rule

If your free bet was on an accumulator and only one leg is postponed, your bet is still alive.

  • What happens: That specific leg is simply removed from the slip. For example, a 4-fold accumulator automatically becomes a 3-fold.
  • The Outcome: The odds will be recalculated based on the remaining teams. You will not get a partial refund; the bet continues with lower potential returns.

3. Abandoned Matches (Mid-Game)

If the match starts but is abandoned halfway through:

  • Already Settled Markets: If you bet on “First Goalscorer” and the goal was already scored, your bet stands. You will be paid out as a winner (minus the stake).
  • Unsettled Markets: If you bet on the “Full Time Result,” the bet is voided and your token should be returned.

4. The “48-Hour” Grace Period

Most UK bookmakers will let a bet stand if the match is played within 48 hours of the original kick-off. If the game is moved from Saturday to Sunday, your free bet remains active.

Pro Tip: If a match is postponed and you would rather use your free bet on a different game immediately, you can sometimes ask support to void it manually so you can “re-bet” elsewhere.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

If my free bet is returned, how long do I have to use it?

Usually, the “returned” free bet keeps its original expiry date. If it was due to expire on Sunday and the match was called off Saturday, you may only have 24 hours to use the replacement token.

Does a void leg affect my “Acca Insurance”?

Yes, it can. Many Acca Insurance offers require a minimum number of legs (e.g., 5-folds). If a voided match turns your 5-fold into a 4-fold, you might lose your insurance eligibility for that slip.

What if my horse is a “non-runner”?

In UK horse racing, if your selection is a non-runner, your free bet is treated the same as a voided football match. A single bet will be returned as a token, while a multiple bet will simply skip that horse.