What is a correct score bet?
A correct score bet asks for the exact final score of a football match, not only who wins it. You pick one scoreline from a list the bookmaker offers. Our reading: the bet wins only if the match ends with that score. The three bookmakers we read word it differently.
- Sportingbet puts it in its football rules: "All bets are settled on the final score at the end of regular play." [1] It also has an "Anytime Correct Score", whose rule reads "All bets are settled if the score happens anytime in regular play." [1] Our reading: that is a different bet, because the score only has to appear at some point, not at the end.
- SportyBet lists "Correct Score" and describes it as "Predict the correct score at the end of regular time." [2]
- Supabets does not describe what a correct score bet is in the terms we read. It names the bet twice. Clause 3.11, on acceptance, says "Bets on correct score and first goal scorer will be accepted up to the GMT kick-off time." [3] Its maximum-winnings list, clause 2.1.1, has a "50 + Legs (Last leg to be correct Score)" line. [3] Our reading: that line caps winnings on a bet of 50 or more legs, and neither clause says how a correct score settles.
Bets accepted after kick-off are handled differently. Supabets treats one as "a non-runner, with the remaining selections settled accordingly", but it "will stand if accepted up to 5 minutes after kick-off provided no goals have been scored at the time the bet was placed." [3] SportyBet's terms say late bets "will stand, providing the final outcome is not known", and "If the outcome of an event/market is known, SportyBet reserves the right to void the bet, win or lose." [4]
What does 'any other score' mean?
Sportingbet's rule covers a catch-all option. If a market has an option called "Any other score", that option "will include scores that do not appear in the original list of scores to bet on and will be settled accordingly." [1]
Our reading: a bookmaker lists only some scores, and the catch-all covers every final score missing from the list. If a list stopped at 3-3, a 4-3 result would fall under it. That list is invented.
We searched the full text of the SportyBet sports rules page and of the Supabets betting terms for 'any other score' and 'other score' and found neither. So we say nothing about how either bookmaker handles a score that is not on its list.
How does a correct score bet settle? A worked example
Take an invented R10 stake on one scoreline, 2-1 (home-away), at invented decimal odds of 9.00. A winning bet returns the stake multiplied by the odds, as the decimal odds guide explains, unless a payout cap applies (see below the table). The table settles the same R10 bet on five different final scores at the end of regular play.
| Final score at the end of regular play (home-away) | R10 on 2-1 at odds of 9.00 |
|---|---|
| 2-1 | Wins: returns R90.00 |
| 1-2 | Loses R10.00 |
| 2-0 | Loses R10.00 |
| 3-1 | Loses R10.00 |
| 1-1 | Loses R10.00 |
Illustrative only. The score, the stake and the odds are invented, and the sums are calculated for this guide: R10 multiplied by 9.00 returns R90.00, a gain of R80.00. No bookmaker or match is real.
The bet wins on 2-1 and loses on every other score. A 3-1 home win loses, although 2-1 was a home win too. No bet is certain, and nothing here suggests that any score is likely.
Our reading: the score is read home-away in the order the match is listed, so 2-1 and 1-2 are different bets. The correct score wording quoted above does not spell out the order. For a match at a neutral venue, Sportingbet's football rules say "the team listed on the left are classed as the 'home' team." [1] SportyBet says "All bets will stand where games are played at a neutral venue, regardless of the displayed order of teams" [2].
A winning bet can be capped. Supabets lists maximum winnings for "Soccer (Excluding Electronic Leagues)", with "Single Bet: R50 000.00", and says "All Payout limits do not include stake." [3] SportyBet's terms say "The maximum winnings for each sports bet is ZAR 20,000,000". [4] The invented gain of R80.00 is far below both.
Sportingbet's general rules say: "A4.3.2 Per Player and Bet: The winning limits for each player and offered bet are as follows: R10 000 000. These limits are only approximate values as they are subject to exchange rate fluctuations." They add that the company "reserves the right to determine winning limits different from those specified". [5]
How is a correct score different from 1X2 and over/under?
A 1X2 bet backs one of three results. Over/under backs a total above or below a line, and both teams to score asks only whether each side scores. A correct score names the exact score, so it is narrower than each of them. The soccer betting markets guide sets the common markets side by side.
Our reading: a 2-1 home win is also a home win, three goals in total and a yes for both teams to score. A bet on any one of those markets does not name 2-1.
Do extra time and penalties count in a correct score bet?
On Sportingbet's football rules, no, unless a market says otherwise: "Unless displayed otherwise (e.g. Match is 80 mins play, extra time, penalty shoot-out etc), all markets will be settled on regular play. This includes any added injury or stoppage time but does not include scheduled extra time or penalty shoot-outs, if played." [1]
Sportingbet sells extra-time versions too. Its rule says "Extra time does not include penalty shoot outs." and "All extra time betting markets, such as 'Correct Score', or 'Time of First Goal', will start from the beginning of extra time and not include normal time." Its example: "if the game finishes 2-2 at the end of normal time and there are no goals scored in extra time, the 'extra time correct score' market will be settled as '0-0'." [1]
SportyBet's soccer rules say: "Regular 90 Minutes: Markets are based on the result at the end of a scheduled 90 minutes play unless otherwise stated. This includes any added injury or stoppage time but does not include extra-time, time allocated for a penalty shootout or golden goal." They add: "Unless otherwise stated for specific bet typologies overtimes and penalty shootouts will not affect the outcome of the bet." [2]
SportyBet lists the extra period as separate markets. "Overtime - Correct Score" reads "Predict the correct score in the overtime." "Penalty Shootout - Correct Score" reads "Predict the correct score in the penalty shootout." [2]
The Supabets terms we read have no rule on what an ordinary correct score settles on. A general line, whose scope is not stated, says "All bets made straight out at the line or start are not subject to extra time except where otherwise specified." [3] We cannot say how Supabets settles a correct score after extra time.
Our reading, on the Sportingbet and SportyBet wording and with invented scores: a match that is 1-1 after 90 minutes plus stoppage time settles a correct score bet as 1-1, even if one side then wins 3-2 in extra time or on penalties.
Do own goals count in a correct score bet?
Sportingbet's Scorecast rule, a bet on the first goalscorer and the final score, says "Own goals do not count towards the first goal scorer but do towards the correct score." [1] The same rule says "If the game is abandoned at any time all bets will be void." [1]
Its rule on own goals says: "For all other bets involving goals, own goals do count for betting purposes unless otherwise stated." On teams it says "For bets referring to teams, own goals always count for the team the goal is awarded to in the match." Its example: "if a player of Team A scores an own goal, the goal will be awarded to Team B for betting purposes." [1]
Our reading: the plain correct score rule does not mention own goals, so counting them there is our reading of the general line. An own goal adds one to the side it is awarded to, so a Team A player's own goal raises Team B's number in the score.
In SportyBet's soccer rules, own goals appear only in the rules for goalscorer, next goalscorer, assist, player goals and next scoring type markets. One reads "Own goals will not be considered for Anytime Goalscorer or Player to score X or more settlement purposes and are ignored." [2] The page has no own-goal wording for correct score, so we do not say how SportyBet counts them there.
We searched the full text of the Supabets betting terms for 'own goal' and found nothing, so we say nothing about Supabets.
Is there a half-time or first-half correct score?
SportyBet lists period versions. "1st Half - Correct Score" reads "Predict the correct score in the 1st half." "2nd Half - Correct Score" reads "Predict the correct score in the 2nd half." "Half Time/Full Time Correct Score" reads "Predict the correct score at the end of the 1st half and the final result at regular time." [2] Our reading: the last one names a score for the first half and a result for full time.
Its general rule sets these apart from the regular-time default: "All markets (except halftime, first-half markets, overtime and penalty shootout) are considered for regular time plus injury time." [2] For a friendly played in "a 3x30, 2x45+30 minutes, or similar format", the rules say "the First Half for settlements needs will be considered to end in the middle of the full playing time format." [2]
Sportingbet's football rules, which we searched in full, describe no half-time correct score. Its half-time rule is about the result: "Bets are settled on the result of the match at the end of the first half (i.e. at the end of 45 minutes, including injury time)." It adds "Bets will be void if the match is abandoned in the first half." [1]
We searched the full text of the Supabets betting terms and found no half-time or first-half correct score, so we say nothing about Supabets.
What happens if the match is abandoned, suspended or postponed?
Sportingbet's football rules say: "Any scheduled match abandoned before the completion of regular play will be made void, with the exception of all bets the outcome of which has already been determined at the time of abandonment." It adds: "This rule will apply even if the governing body declare that the result of the shortened match will stand for competition purposes" [1]. The rules give no correct score example.
The general rules say: "All bets that are determined (i.e. the outcome is already decided) are valid and will be settled accordingly regardless of subsequent abandonment of the event/tournament at any time." [5]
Our reading: a score that can still be reached is not decided, so an early abandonment voids that bet. The rules give no example for a score the match has already gone past, which may count as already determined.
For a suspended match, the football rules void bets "if the match is not restarted on the same day (local time) and played to completion", but "Bets the outcome of which has already been determined at the time of suspension will stand." [1] Matches on a fixed date in tournament finals, but not their qualifiers, are an exception: they "will not be void if suspended and will stand for the new date they are played" [1].
For a postponed match, Sportingbet has two rules. Its general rules count the bet for a postponed event that is "restarted not later than 72 hours from the displayed start date", and void it if the event restarts later [5]. They except an event whose date was unknown when the bet was offered: "Bets on such an event are valid even if the estimated start date does not match the actual one." [5]
The football rules "will take precedence over the Sports betting general rules" [1]. They say: "For any cancelled or postponed match, any bets struck prior to the scheduled kick-off will be deemed void unless the match is delayed prior to the scheduled kick-off time and takes place on the same day (local time at venue)." [1] Tournament finals on a fixed date are again excepted, and "will not be void if postponed and will stand for the new date they are played" [1].
A completed match can also be voided later. Sportingbet's football rules say: "If a match has been completed but the result is later deemed void then all bets will be settled on the original result regardless of any subsequently rearranged fixture." [1]
Supabets says: "For all sports unless clearly stated, events whose start time is postponed and then rescheduled to a time more than 24 hours after the original start time will automatically be deemed void for settling purposes, and all money will be credited accordingly." [3] If a match is called off in running and postponed, Supabets' decision on whether bets are voided or carried forward "shall be final" [3].
SportyBet's soccer rules say: "If a match is interrupted and continued within 48h after initial kickoff, all open bets will be settled with the final result. Otherwise all undecided bets are considered void." They add: "If a match is interrupted or postponed and is not continued within 48h after initial kick-off date betting will be void." [2]
Its general rules say: "If a match is not completed or not played (e.g. through disqualification, interruption, withdrawal, changes in draws, etc.) all undecided markets are considered void." The same page makes an exception for pre-match bets on friendly matches, which "will be settled based on the actual duration of the match". Only those "played for less than 45 minutes or more than 120 minutes are considered void" [2]. The SportyBet Correct Score description has no abandonment wording of its own.
| Rule | Window or condition | Otherwise |
|---|---|---|
| Sportingbet, general rules | Restarted not later than 72 hours from the displayed start date [5] | Bets are void |
| Sportingbet, football rules (these take precedence) | Match is delayed before kick-off and takes place on the same day, local time at venue [1] | Bets struck before kick-off are void |
| Supabets, "For all sports unless clearly stated" [3] | Rescheduled to no more than 24 hours after the original start time [3] | Rescheduled to more than 24 hours after: deemed void for settling purposes; money credited accordingly |
| SportyBet, soccer rules | Continued within 48h after initial kick-off [2] | Undecided bets are void |
| SportyBet, pre-match bets on friendly matches | Settled on the actual duration of the match [2] | Void only if played for less than 45 minutes or more than 120 minutes |
Each row paraphrases the bookmaker's own rule, read on 29 October 2026. Our reading: for a football correct score, Sportingbet's same-day test in its football rules applies first. Sportingbet's general rules settle a void bet as won at odds of 1.00 [5], and SportyBet's FAQ gives a void match "an odd of 1.00" [6].
The windows above differ, so read the bookmaker's own rule for your match before you rely on a bet placed ahead of time.
What happens to a correct score leg in a multi?
A correct score bet can be one leg of a multi (an accumulator). Sportingbet's help page says "The total odds are calculated by multiplying the odds of all the individual picks." It adds that "a multi (parlay) bet does not pay out anything unless all your picks turn out to be correct." [7] SportyBet's terms say: "In the event that any selection from a multiple bet is settled as LOST, the entire bet is lost." [4]
A postponed match can void a leg. Sportingbet's general rules cover a multi in which "one of the selected events is called off, abandoned or cancelled or does not take place for other reasons, and the respective betting events are not held within 72 hours". The bet counts as won at odds of 1.00, "which means that the multi bet can still be won depending on the other results that are part of it." [5]
Our reading: for football, the same-day rule in the football rules governs instead, because those rules say they take precedence (see the postponed-match section above).
SportyBet says: "Should a customer include a non-runner or void selection in a multiple bet/parlay, the bet will be settled on the remaining selections." [4] Supabets says "the outcome of the multiple will be decided on the result of the remaining legs" [3]. The accumulator guide covers void legs in full.
Two selections from the same match are limited. Sportingbet's Build a Bet terms list a correct score as conflicting with some other selections: "Combining a specific correct score with an incompatible goalscorer or total." Their example is "picking a match to end 0-0 but also adding Player X to score first or Total Goals Over 2.5." [8]
Those terms also say: "If a leg within a Build a Bet is voided, then the entire Build a Bet will be voided, regardless of the outcome of the other legs." [8]
Sportingbet's general rules also say: "The customer may not combine (parlay) related bets on the same event. Related bets are two or more different bets that have related contingency." [5]
SportyBet's terms say multiples "which combine different selections within the same event are only accepted where the specific combination is permitted as a Bet Builder or a specific market type, e.g. 1X2 and Over/Under 2.5 Goals". They define a related contingency as "when one selection affects the rest of the bet, for example a multiple bet with Manchester United to win 1-0 and Manchester United to win in 90 minutes." [4]
Supabets says: "Multiple bets are not accepted where the outcome of one part of the bet contributes to the outcome of another." If one is accepted in error, it is "settled by equally dividing the stake unit where the related outcomes clash." [3]
Our reading: in a Build a Bet, a correct score fixes the final score, so a second selection from the same match has to fit that score. In a standard multi, Sportingbet's rule above bars related bets on the same event outright. Neither the SportyBet rule nor the Supabets rule quoted above names a correct score.
Whose rules does this guide use?
We read the published rules of three of the eight bookmakers we review, on 29 October 2026: Sportingbet's football, general, multi bet and Build a Bet help pages, SportyBet's help pages on sports rules, FAQ and terms and conditions, and Supabets' betting terms. SportyBet's sports rules sit in collapsed sections, so we read the full text of the page node by node, not only the text that shows.
We could not read the rules of Betway, Hollywoodbets or World Sports Betting. From our own network, our internet provider sent all three to a block page. From a second network, Betway's rules page loaded but did not show its rules text, and Hollywoodbets and World Sports Betting returned an access-denied response (HTTP 403).
On 29 October 2026, 10bet returned HTTP 403 with a page titled 'Just a moment...'. Easybet redirected us to a page titled 'easybet.co.za - Only Available in South Africa'. We worked around none of these.
Before you bet: limits and help
- Read the bookmaker's own rule for what the score is settled on, whether extra time and own goals count, and what its 'any other score' option covers.
- Check which side is listed first, because 2-1 and 1-2 are different scores, although SportyBet says bets stand at a neutral venue "regardless of the displayed order of teams". [2]
- Read how long the bookmaker waits for a postponed match before you rely on a bet placed ahead of time.
- Set your betting limits before you deposit, not after a loss.
- If a bet is settled in a way you do not understand, ask support in writing and keep the reply.
- If that does not settle it, check the bookmaker's licence and contact the provincial board that issued it. If the board has not been able to assist, the NGB says to escalate the complaint in writing to [email protected] [9].
- If betting stops being a pastime, see responsible gambling and the helpline.
Sources
The numbers in the text point to these pages. Each was opened on the date shown.
- Sportingbet South Africa, Help: Sports Betting Special Rules, Football. Read 29 October 2026.
- SportyBet South Africa, Help: How to play, Sports (Soccer rules and market descriptions). Read 29 October 2026.
- Supabets, Betting Terms and Conditions. Read 29 October 2026.
- SportyBet South Africa, Help: About, Terms and Conditions (Settlements and Payouts; Related Contingency Betting). Read 29 October 2026.
- Sportingbet South Africa, Help: Sports Betting General Remarks (the page is marked last updated 05/10/2017). Read 29 October 2026.
- SportyBet South Africa, Help: How to play, FAQ. Read 29 October 2026.
- Sportingbet South Africa, Help: What are multi bets?. Read 29 October 2026.
- Sportingbet South Africa, Help: Build a Bet Terms and Conditions. Read 29 October 2026.
- National Gambling Board, Frequently Asked Questions. Read 29 October 2026.
About this guide
Published by Avenmark Media. A separate pass re-opened every source above and checked each claim against it, on . A second, independent check compared a sample of the claims with the same sources. How we write and correct our pages.
Found a mistake? Email [email protected]. We correct the page, change its updated date and say what changed.
If gambling is causing you harm
Call the National Responsible Gambling Programme line, free and confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
You can also message 076 675 0710 on WhatsApp or email [email protected].
Sources: South African Responsible Gambling Foundation, The SARGF (read 3 Oct 2026); South African Responsible Gambling Foundation, The NRGP (read 3 Oct 2026); National Gambling Board, National Responsible Gambling Programme (read 3 Oct 2026)