Many bettors have found themselves in situations where they needed to cancel a bet at a bookmaker. Let’s figure out how difficult this is to do and whether such an option exists with interactive bookmakers at all.
Why is bet cancellation needed?
The question of how to cancel a bet may arise in several situations:
- the player accidentally clicked on the wrong odds and didn’t notice it while filling out the bet slip;
- the bettor entered an incorrect stake amount in the betting receipt;
- the user misunderstood the bookmaker’s interface and selected the opposite outcome from the intended one;
- the pre-match setup changed, and the player now wants to place another bet, but there’s no money left in the account.
There are many cases where, due to inattention, error, or carelessness, one wants to cancel a placed bet. Therefore, the relevance of the question of whether it’s possible to cancel a bet with an online bookmaker remains high.
At which bookmakers can a bet be canceled?
Let’s give a clear and definite answer right away:
For betting services, such cancellations are not profitable, so they don’t develop such functionality. The rules of all licensed bookmakers clearly state that it’s impossible to cancel an interactive bet. The only thing left is to look at available alternatives that allow you to minimize losses.
Cash Out as an alternative to cancellation
The main alternative is the Cash Out option — buyout of a bet, or sale of a wager. Interactive bookmakers may call this function differently, but the principle is the same. The bookmaker offers the client to sell back an already placed bet, but on terms favorable to the bookmaker.
For example, if you placed $10, then assuming the odds remain unchanged, the bookmaker may buy back the bet for $8–$9. In other words, the bookmaker takes a commission.
If the odds have dropped — meaning the chance of winning has increased — the bet can even be sold for more than its original value. But why sell it at a loss to yourself if the win has become closer?
In all bookmaker companies, the bet buyout option works in approximately the same way.
Let’s look at the process:
- the user placed a bet but now wants to cancel it;
- logs into their account and opens the “Bet History” section;
- opens the “Tracking” subcategory, which displays unsettled bets;
- clicks the “Sell” button, after which a window appears showing the possible sale amount or a refusal notice;
- agrees to the offered amount by clicking OK;
- waits for the bookmaker’s decision – depending on how dynamically the odds are changing at that moment.
Covering the bet amount
If the bookmaker offers unfavorable cash-out terms, consider the option of covering the mistakenly placed bet. To do this, place the corresponding amount on the opposite outcome.
Let’s imagine that in a UEFA Europa League match between Arsenal London and PSV Eindhoven, you intended to bet on Over 2.5 at odds of 1.51. However, due to inattention, you mixed up the letters and placed $10 on Under 2.5 at 2.42. You could try your luck – maybe the teams will play a low-scoring match.
But you’re confident in your prediction. How to compensate for the lost $10? You place $20 on the outcome Over 2.5 and have two possibilities:
- The teams score fewer than three goals – payout $24.20, meaning a loss of $30 − $24.20 = $5.80;
- More than two goals are scored – payout $30.20, meaning a net profit of $0.20.
If you’re wrong, you’ll lose $5.80, but not the full $10. In the second, expected scenario, you’ll make a small profit. However, it won’t compensate for the lost potential winnings caused by the careless or mistaken action.
Summary: be careful when handling money
The conclusion is clear: be extremely attentive when choosing an outcome, odds, and filling out the bet slip. Don’t rush to click the “Place Bet” button. Double-check the selected market name, odds, and entered amount in the coupon. And, of course, never play under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
