Betting shop rules

Britbet Betting Shop Rules (summary version)

The general betting rules set out below must be read in conjunction with the Sports Rules (found in Section B below). To the extent that there is any inconsistency between the General Betting Rules and any of the Sports Rules, the Sports Rules shall prevail.

When placing a fixed odds bet in a Britbet betting shop, you are betting against Britbet Racing LLP (“britbet”). In these Betting Rules, britbet is referred to as ‘britbet’, ‘us’, ‘we’ or ‘our’ and you are referred to as ‘you’ or ‘your’.

A. Headline and General Betting Rules:

1. Placing bets:

1.1 No person under the age of 18 may place a bet. Any bets we believe to have been placed by or on behalf of a person under the age of 18 will be void.

1.2 You should ensure that your bet is placed before the ‘off’ (that is, before the time that an event has started).

1.3 There may be minimum and maximum stake amounts for any bet, which will vary on each bet or market type. We reserve the right to accept or refuse the whole or any part of any proposed bet.

1.4 All prices are subject to variation and, save where the price has been requested by you at the time the bet is struck, the bets shall be settled at starting price.

1.5 We cannot be held responsible for any typing, human or software error which leads to any errors or omissions in relation to any prices, data or results. We reserve the right to void any bets which have been accepted and/or settled at a clearly incorrect price (e.g. palpable error) or settle the bet at the correct price at the time the bet was placed.

1.6 It is your responsibility to understand the mechanism of any bet types that you select. If you have any queries as to how certain bet types work, please ask a member of staff before placing any such bet. We cannot accept any responsibility if you place a bet which you do not fully understand.

1.7 Any data (such as current scores or elapsed time) that is displayed on our text screens is sourced from a ‘live feed’ provided by a third party and may be subject to time delay and/or be inaccurate. If you rely on this data to place bets, you do so entirely at your own risk and we accept no responsibility for any loss (direct or indirect) suffered by you as a result of your reliance on it.

1.8 Britbet reserves the right to request to ask individual customers for personal information confirming their identity and source of funds. We shall be entitled at our sole discretion to refuse any bet, payment, or further business from you if this information is not supplied as requested or is otherwise in our sole opinion deemed insufficient. Please be aware that where a person is suspected of criminal activity their details may be passed on to law enforcement agencies and /or other bookmakers for the purpose of keeping crime out of gambling in accordance with Gambling Commission guidelines.

1.9 It is the responsibility of you, the customer, to ensure that any bet stuck with us has the correct information pertaining to the bet you want and that any mistake should be raised with staff before leaving the counter.

1.10 If there isn’t a suitable rule listed in this section to cover the settlement of any bet, then britbet shall use its discretion (acting reasonably) to settle the bet according to general industry standard rules for UK betting shops.

2. Maximum winnings and payouts:

2.1 The maximum amount that can be won by one customer in any day, regardless of the size of the stake or the number of bets placed, is £50,000. The maximum payout on any greyhound betting or football multiples betting is £10,000. The maximum payout on any Tricast is £10,000.

2.2 The reference to ‘one customer’ in this clause can include more than one individual where we believe, acting reasonably, that you are acting in concert with others.

2.3 Britbet reserves the right to pay the whole, or part of any winnings by BACS. This will be arranged from our head office.

3. Non-runners, abandonments and postponements:

3.1 Save in respect of bets placed under ante post terms (see Section 5) or as set out in the Sports Rules, the stake placed on single bets will be returned in circumstances where the subject of the relevant bet has been entirely withdrawn from the relevant event prior to its commencement. In accumulative or multiple bets the stake will run on to the remaining selection(s) with a double becoming a single, a treble becoming a double and so on.

3.2 Unless specified in the Sports Rules (Section B), all bets placed on abandoned or postponed events shall be treated as void.

3.3. Unless specified in the Sports Rules (Section B), bets in markets that have already been unconditionally determined at the time of abandonment and which could not be altered regardless of future events (such as the identity of the first goalscorer) will be settled in accordance with its outcome.

4. Settlement and dead heats:

4.1 Unless specified in the Sports Rules (Section B) bets will be settled on the official result of the relevant governing body regardless of any subsequent disqualification or amendment to the result.

4.2 In the event of a dead heat the stake money on a selection is divided by the number of runners or competitors involved in the dead heat. The full odds are then paid proportionately to the divided stake, with the remainder of the stake money being treated as a losing stake.

5. Ante post betting (future events):

5.1 Ante post bets are those placed at prices on:

• Horse racing and greyhounds prior to the final declaration stage; and
• Sports events prior to the start of an event, with the exception of bets on a match, a single race event or an individual heat/stage

5.2 You agree that ante post bets on horse racing and greyhounds are accepted on the understanding that you will lose your stake if your selection does not participate. No Tattersalls’ Rule 4 deductions are made from winning ante-post bets.

5.3 Unless specified differently in the Sport Rules (Section B) stakes on sports events will be refunded on competitors/teams who do not participate in the relevant event after the bet is placed, unless they have been eliminated by competition rules.

5.4 Stakes will not be refunded on competitors/teams who start an event and then withdraw.

5.5 In total tournament/series markets (e.g. winner of the golden boot), individuals named in the team squad will be deemed to have participated whether or not they have taken part in any competitive action.

5.6 Ante post bets are settled at the price and place terms applicable at the time of acceptance.

6. Related contingencies:

6.1 Accumulative/multiple bets are not accepted where the outcome of one part of the bet contributes to the outcome of another. For example: £10 double on Liverpool to win the FA Cup semi-final 3-0 and Liverpool to qualify for the final. The second part of the bet is wholly reliant on the successful outcome of the first stage of the double.

6.2 If taken in error the stakes will be equally divided in respect of the contingent elements of the accumulative/multiple bet and shall be separated into individual bets. However, where the related parts of the bet are resolved at different times, unless ‘special double’ or ‘special accumulative’ odds are available, bets will be settled as instructed with the odds for the second or subsequent legs being determined at each individual stage.

7. Sports Integrity:

7.1 It is a condition of your use of the Betting Service that you represent that:

7.1.1 You are not prohibited from entering into the bet by any term of your contract of employment or any rule of a Sports Governing Body, which applies to you
7.1.2 You are not aware of any circumstance which would make the placing of the bet a breach of a rule on betting applied by a Sports Governing Body
7.1.3 Where the bet is placed on the outcome of a race, competition or other event or on the likelihood of anything occurring, you do not know the outcome of the event or have not been involved in any circumstances which might affect its potential outcome

7.2 If we become aware or suspect that any such representation by you is or may be false your stake will be forfeited and we shall not be obliged to pay any winnings which might otherwise have been payable in respect of the relevant placed bet.

7.3 We reserve the right to withhold payment if we become aware or suspect that the prices of a particular event have been manipulated or where a race, event or match has been rigged. Pending the outcome of any investigation and, in our absolute discretion, we reserve the right to declare bets on any such race, event or match as void.

8. Late bets and prices:

8.1 Bets may generally be placed up to the actual off time of an event, we will use the official off times in relation to horse racing and greyhounds, provided by the racecourses.

8.2 In circumstances where a bet is inadvertently accepted after the off time, where the event was resolved or at a stage where the customer could have gained a material advantage, the stake will be returned, and the bet will be void.

8.3 Bets placed after the final event result is known will be voided.

8.4 Should there be a dispute over the start time of an event/market where an official starting time is not given by that Sports Governing Body, then the time that we determine the event to have started and the time at which the bet was placed according to our transactional logs (if recorded) will be conclusive evidence in the settlement or non-settlement of all bets in respect of that event/market.

8.5 Britbet reserve the right to settle a bet at the correct price, if as a result of human error or system problems a bet is accepted at a price that is:
– Materially different from those available in the general market at the time the bet was made;
– Clearly incorrect given the chance of the event occurring at the time the bet was made.
To establish a correct price britbet will consider prices available in the general market at the time the bet was made.

9. Ambiguous bet instructions:

9.1 It is your responsibility to ensure details of any bets that you place are clear and correct. Bets may not be cancelled or changed once the bet has been placed unless agreed by us.

9.2 If an ambiguous bet instruction is not identified and resolved on the bet slip prior to the bet being processed, the bet will be settled according to our Rules. The bet will be void if it contains mistakes which make it impossible to settle using our Rules.

9.3 Where an incorrect number of bets is stated to cover the selections given, the stake will be divided and invested equally among the correct number of bets applicable.

9.4 Unless covered by 9.3, where the amount of stake money received is more than the required amount, the excess will be refunded. Where the amount of stake money received is less than the required amount, the bet shall be executed in proportion to the stake received.

9.5 Where two selections in the same event are included in a multiple bet, or if the same selection is included twice, the amount of stake will be divided between the two. For example, a treble will become two doubles.

9.6 If a name is stated on the betting slip, that name will stand as the selection even if it is incorrectly numbered or timed in any way.

9.7 If a bet instruction is untimed or incorrectly timed the bet will be settled as for the next scheduled horse race to go off after the time of acceptance. But if Trap (or the letter T) is written and doubt exists, the bet will be taken as for greyhound race.

9.8 If a race time and meeting is stated without a selection, the bet will stand for the return SP favourite in that race. If the bet is Each-Way, the win part will be settled as normal but the place part will be void. This also applies if the word Trap is stated without a numbered selection.

9.9 If no time is stated but the meeting is named, all single bets will be settled on the next race to run at the meeting named. In multiple bets the selection will be void unless the sequence of selections detailed on the slip makes the intended time clear.

9.10 If a race time is stated but no meeting all single and multiple bets will stand for the meeting which does have a race at that time. If there is more than one meeting with a race at that time the bet will be settled according to the following priority; home meeting, UK horse race, Irish horse race, greyhound race and virtual races.

10. Complaints

10.1 If you have a complaint, please follow these steps:

Please speak to a member of britbet staff on the racecourse. They may seek further guidance from their Team Leader, who will aim to resolve the process or escalate as appropriate on the day.

If you are not satisfied with the resolution of the complaint, please contact britbet customer services via email at support@britbet.com or via letter to britbet, Customer Services, 4th Floor Alaska House, Dunningsbridge Road, Bootle, L30 4AB. Please provide full details of the complaint to help us to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. Any complaint will then follow the internal britbet complaints policy (available on request) with the intention of responding to the customer within 30 days of receipt of the complaint. If the matter is still not resolved at this stage, you may then submit the dispute to the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS). Forms can be found on the IBAS website.

 

B. Sports Rules:

1. General:

The specific sports rules below cover horse racing and greyhound racing.
For any other sport, the General Betting Rules in Section A shall apply.

2. Greyhound Racing Rules:

2.1 Bets are accepted for greyhound races on meetings available in our broadcast shop service. Other than ante-post bets, all other greyhound bets taken will be void.

2.2 Forecasts. The following conditions apply to this market:
You can bet forecast singles and forecast doubles only and these can be placed as either straight, reversed, or combination forecast bets. Any bet accepted in error above doubles (e.g Trebles or 4-folds etc) will be void and stake refunded.

Forecast bets will only be accepted in races with at least three runners.
If a bet is accepted in error on a race with only two greyhounds, or a race reduced to only two greyhounds, then forecast bets will stand and be settled as a single, at the Starting Price, on the greyhound selected to finish first.
Straight forecasts are settled in accordance with the Greyhound Computer Forecast returns.
If a forecast contains a non-runner this will be settled as a win single on the remaining runner.
In a combination forecast where a selection becomes a non-runner, any forecast within the combination involving the non-runner will be settled as a single on the remaining selection. All other combinations will stand as struck.

2.3 Tricasts. The following conditions apply to this market:
Tricast bets are only accepted in races for which an official tricast return is declared by the B.A.G.S. computer tricast return. If no tricast dividend is returned then bets will be settled as computer straight forecast (CFS).
Selections should finish first, second and third in the correct order in races where an official tricast return is declared.
Tricasts are accepted in singles only.
Where one of the greyhounds, selected in a named tricast, becomes a non-runner and regardless of whether a reserve runs in its place, the bet will become a forecast on the remaining two selections.
When two of the selected greyhounds become non-runners, regardless of whether reserves run in their places, the tricast will be settled as a single.

2.4 Greyhound Competitions. If prices have been offered to win a competition, then bets accepted prior to the draw for the penultimate round (i.e. the semi-final) will be on an “all in run or not” basis, with non-runners considered losers. If bets are placed at prices issued after the draw for the semi-final but prior to the draw for the final then standard ante-post rules will not apply. Any non-runners will be settled as void, with a “rule 4” equivalent deduction applied to bets on the remaining greyhounds.

2.5. Non-runners:
Any bets on a named greyhound that becomes a non-runner will be void. Any bets on a trap number will stand if a reserve runner comes into the race.
Greyhound withdrawn – If a greyhound is withdrawn from a race which has early morning prices, then all bets struck prior to the withdrawal will be subject to a “rule 4” deduction.

2.6. No Race:
Bets placed on a void race, which is re-scheduled to be run later on the same day, will be settled as follows:
Single Bets (Including Single Forecasts and Tricasts) – All bets stand, unless a refund is requested prior to the off of the re-scheduled race.
Show Prices and Early Prices – Bets taken at prices on a void race will revert to S.P. for the re-scheduled race.
Multiple Bets – All selections in void races within multiple bets will stand for the re-scheduled race. In the event that the race is not re-scheduled, all selections in that race will be treated as non-runners within multiple bets.
In the event of a meeting not starting, all bets are void.

2.7. Settlement. Payment will be made on the official result of races. Bets will be void in the event of no starting price being returned.
Where a rule is not specifically covered in these greyhound rules, the equivalent rule stated in the horse racing section will apply where appropriate.
We reserve the right to declare void any bets where it considers there to be reasonable suspicion or evidence of unfair price manipulation.

3. Horse Racing Rules:

3.1 Non-Runners:
Single bet: If you have a non-runner, your bet is void and you receive your stake back. This does not typically apply if your bet was placed under Ante Post rules, in which case your bet will usually be settled as a loser.
Multiple bets: If you’ve placed a multiple bet such as a double, treble or Lucky 15, your bet will stand on the remaining selections. So a double becomes a single, a treble becomes a double, and so on.

3.2. Rule 4 Deductions:
Bets on the remaining runners in that race, taken at Early Prices or at Show Prices prior to withdrawal, will be subject to a deduction. This is based on Tattersalls Rule 4(c) (see below) and is dependent on the non-runner’s price at the time it was withdrawn.
The table below shows the amount of the deductions based on the price of individual selections. These deductions are the amount of money that is taken from each £1 in winnings or returns. Hence if you win £10 and there is a 10p Rule 4 deduction you will only receive £9 winnings.

3.3 Forecast Betting:

A ‘straight forecast’ is a bet where you name two selections to come 1st and 2nd in the correct order for a specified event.

A ‘reversed forecast’ is when you name two selections to finish 1st and 2nd in any order for a specific event. This is essentially two separate straight forecast bets.

A ‘combination forecast’ is when you choose three or more selections in an event, with any of these to finish 1st and 2nd in the race. This is essentially a number of separate ‘straight forecast’ bets.

Forecast bets are settled in accordance with the industry forecast dividend, except where stated below:

If a straight forecast is accepted for a race where no dividend declared, the bet will be settled as a win single on the first selection stated.

Should a non-runner be selected in a forecast, the bet will be settled as a win single on the remaining selection. In reversed or combination bets each forecast is treated separately.

You can bet forecast singles, forecast doubles and forecast trebles. These can be placed as either straight, reversed, or combination forecast bets.

Customers are not allowed to include ‘unnamed favourite’ in forecast bets. Such bets will be void.

3.4 Tricast Betting:

A tricast is a bet where you name the selections to finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the correct order for a specified race. All tricast bets are settled in accordance with the appropriate industry dividend except where stated below.

Horse tricast bets are accepted on all handicap, nursery and rated stakes handicap races that are included in our full service provided eight or more horses are declared to run. If less than eight actually run but a tricast dividend is declared, all bets will stand. Tricasts are also available on other advertised races outside of our full service.

If a tricast bet is accepted where less than 4 runners take part in the race, it will be settled as a straight forecast on the selections nominated to finish 1st and 2nd, with the selection nominated to finish 3rd ignored.

If a tricast has been accepted for a race where no dividend is declared, it will be settled as a straight forecast on the selections nominated to finish 1st and 2nd. The 3rd is ignored for settlement purposes. If the bet is a combination tricast, every tricast within that combination will be settled as a straight forecast with the 3rd selection ignored for settlement purposes.

If one non-runner is selected, the tricast will be settled as a straight forecast on the remaining 2 selections to finish 1st and 2nd. If two non-runners are selected in a tricast, the tricast will be settled as a single.

If fewer than three runners finish the race a tricast dividend is declared based on those runners that do finish with the field.

Customers are not allowed to include ‘unnamed favourite’ in tricast bets. Such bets will be void.

3.5 Lucky 15 / 31 / 63 Bets:

The bonuses and consolations on this bet are available only on horse racing daily race winner markets. If this bet is accepted in error for any other type of market it will be settled without the bonuses or consolations. Your win single will be settled at the relevant enhanced odds if only one of your selections win. For each-way bets, the bonus is only applicable to the win part of the bet. Only one selection per race is permitted. The bet must be to a level stake. Bets containing non-runners or void selections will not qualify for win bonuses or consolations. The following bullet-points set out the number of bets that each Lucky bet type contains and the applicable bonus:

• Lucky 15 (4 selections) comprises: 4 Singles, 6 Doubles, 4 Trebles and 1 Fourfold. We will pay double the odds if only one selection wins.
• Lucky 31 (5 selections) comprises: 5 Singles, 10 Doubles, 10 Trebles, 5 Fourfolds and 1 Fivefold. We will pay double the odds if only one selection wins.
• Lucky 63 (6 selections) comprises: 6 Singles, 15 Doubles, 20 Trebles, 15 Fourfolds, 6 Fivefolds and 1 Sixfold. We will pay double the odds if only one selection wins.

3.6 Unnamed Favourites:

Bets nominating the favourite and second favourite are accepted at Starting Price only.

The favourite is the selection returned at the shortest odds. When the favourite is nominated and two or more runners start at the shortest odds, then stakes are equally divided over the ‘joint’ or ‘co’ favourites created.

Bets on the favourite are win only. If an each-way bet is accepted in error the place part will be void.

We do not accept bets past unnamed second favourite. All selections taken in error will be void.

 

3.7 Abandoned/Postponed:

Bets will be void if:
● The race is abandoned.
● The race is declared void.
● Any of the race conditions or entries change.
● If the overnight declarations do not stand, all bets are void.

If a race is postponed to another day and final declarations stand then bets stand. However, single bets on horse racing will be made void and any selection involved in accumulative bets will be treated as a non-runner if:
● The race is abandoned.
● The race is officially declared void.
● The conditions of the race are altered after bets are made (as defined under Tattersalls rules).
● The venue is altered.
● The running surface is altered (e.g. turf to dirt/all weather or vice versa).

3.8. Ante Post Bets:

Ante Post bets are accepted on the basis of ‘all in’, whether the horse or selection participates or not. This means that if the horse or selection does not run or participate in the race/event named, the bet is a loser. This applies even if the selection was not entered in the race, as long as there was the possibility that it could have been entered at a later stage. If a bet is placed on an Ante Post selection before the entries have closed, the bet will stand.
The selection will only become void if:
● The race/event is abandoned or declared void.
● A horse is balloted out or eliminated under Jockey Club Rule 125, or prevented from running under Jockey Club Rule 1A.
● The venue changes.
● If the conditions of the race entry are changed prior to the horses coming under starters orders.
● Where the horse had already been withdrawn from the race at the time of acceptance.
● Specific terms such as “with a run” were offered at the time the bet was placed and the selection is subsequently withdrawn as a non-runner.
● A bet on an Ante Post event was placed without taking a price.
● Where the above conditions apply to a selection in an Ante Post multiple bet, the selection in question will be treated as a non-runner and the other selections in the bet will be settled as normal.
● If a bet on an Ante Post selection was placed after the entries closed, it will become void unless either (1) there is a supplementary stage for the race; or (2) the race is run on a later date at the same venue and entries are reopened, in which case the bet will stand.

Each-Way Ante Post bets are settled according to the Each-Way terms advertised at the time the bet was placed. Ante Post selections can be included in most types of bets, however, any bonuses and consolations specific to certain speciality bets (such as on a Lucky 15/31/63 bet) will not apply.

3.9 Each Way Betting:

For horse racing, the ‘Place’ part of Each Way bets will be given the following Place terms:

Non-Handicap Races:
2 – 4 Runners Win Only
5 – 7 Runners 1/4 the Odds 1, 2
8 or more Runners 1/5 the Odds 1, 2, 3

Handicap Races:
2 – 4 Runners Win Only
5 – 7 Runners 1/4 the Odds 1, 2
8 – 11 Runners 1/5 the Odds 1, 2, 3
12 – 15 Runners 1/4 the Odds 1, 2, 3
16 or more Runners 1/4 the Odds 1, 2, 3, 4

All races of less than 5 runners: all place stakes will be treated as win stakes.

From time to time we may offer promotions that pay-out on extra placings in a horse race. In these instances we reserve the right to alter the standard place terms are set above (e.g we may offer to pay out 5 or 6 places in a handicap with 16 or more runners but to do so set at 1/5 of the odds as opposed to the standard 1/4). These promotions are not confined to handicaps. The onus is on the customer at all times to check the each way terms on offer, particularly in those races where we are offering additional place pay-outs.

3.10 Settlement:

All bets are governed by Tattersalls Rules of Betting. These rules will govern the settlement of bets if anything occurs that is not covered by our stated rules.
Bets are settled in accordance with the official result at the time of the “weigh in”.

If a horse refuses to come out of the starting stalls or refuses to start in a National Hunt race but the official starter deems the horse a runner then that horse will be settled as a loser. Walkovers and void races count as races but any selection involved will be treated as a non-runner.