Prematch betting means placing a sports bet before an event officially starts. This guide explains ZPlay Bet prematch betting rules for users in Ethiopia, including bet acceptance, odds changes, postponed events, void selections and settlement. Read the applicable market rules and official terms before confirming a bet.
18+ only. Betting involves the risk of losing your stake. Participation is subject to age, account and regional eligibility requirements.
What Is Prematch Betting at ZPlay Bet?
A prematch bet is submitted and accepted before the sporting event begins. Available markets, odds and closing times can differ by sport, competition and event. Check the event details within ZPlay Bet sport betting before making a selection.
Prematch and live betting differ mainly in timing. Prematch markets cover events that have not started; ZPlay Bet live covers events already in progress, where odds and availability can change as play develops. A selection remaining visible does not necessarily mean it is still available for acceptance.
When a Prematch Bet Is Accepted
Adding a selection to a bet slip does not place a bet. You must be signed in through ZPlay Bet login, have sufficient available balance and confirm the stake and selections. The system must then accept the bet while the relevant prematch market is open and before the event begins.
Check your betting history for an accepted status, bet reference, recorded odds and stake. A pending message, loading screen or connection interruption is not proof of acceptance. If the status is unclear, check the existing transaction before submitting the same bet again.
Odds Changes Before Confirmation
Odds may change between viewing a market and confirming a bet. Depending on the available settings and applicable rules, the system may request confirmation of the new price or reject the slip. Displayed odds are not guaranteed before acceptance.
For example, if a selection changes from 2.00 to 1.90 before acceptance, review the updated potential return before proceeding. The accepted bet record identifies the recorded price, subject to official provisions covering errors and corrections.
Cut-Off Time and Event Start
Prematch markets close before an event starts or when it moves to live betting. Scheduled times can change, and an on-screen countdown may not reflect a delayed data update.
If a prematch bet is accepted after the actual start because of a technical error or data delay, it may be corrected, cancelled or declared void under the applicable terms. Do not assume that a late acceptance message guarantees the bet will remain valid.
Postponed, Cancelled or Abandoned Events
Settlement depends on the sport, market and circumstances. The situations below describe possible outcomes, not fixed deadlines or guaranteed refunds. Each case is handled according to the official rules of ZPlay Bet.
| Situation | What may happen to the bet | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Match postponed | The bet may remain open for a rescheduled event or be voided. | The rescheduled date and the sport-specific postponement rule. |
| Event cancelled | Affected selections may be voided. | The official event status and settlement record. |
| Event abandoned | Undecided markets may be voided; already determined markets may stand. | Whether your market had a confirmed outcome before play stopped. |
| Venue changed | The bet may stand or be voided, depending on the applicable rule. | Venue details and any change in home or away designation. |
| Team or participant withdraws | Affected markets may be voided or settled under withdrawal rules. | The named participant and competition rules. |
| Event format changed | Markets affected by the change may require review or voiding. | The revised duration, rounds or scoring format. |
Void Bets and Refunds
A void bet is treated as neither a win nor a loss. For a standard cash-funded single bet, voiding normally means returning the stake to the account balance, where applicable under the official rules. Bonus-funded bets may have different treatment.
Possible reasons include cancellation, an incorrect participant, an erroneous market, a technical fault or acceptance after the event started. Refund timing and eligibility depend on the relevant rules; no fixed processing time is stated here. For multiple bets, voiding one selection does not necessarily refund the entire slip.
Prematch Football Betting Rules
On ZPlay Bet football, common prematch markets include match result, double chance, total goals, handicap, both teams to score, first-half result and correct score. Each market answers a different question, so check its name, line and covered period.
- Match result and double chance: concern the result or combination of results specified by the market.
- Total goals, handicap and both teams to score: depend on the selected line and market conditions; some lines can produce a refund or split settlement.
- First-half markets: cover the first half, including its stoppage time.
- Correct score: requires the exact score for the stated period.
Standard full-time football markets commonly cover 90 minutes plus stoppage time, excluding extra time and penalties unless stated otherwise. Qualification and trophy-winner markets can use different conditions. Always follow the specific market rule and the official result applicable to settlement.
Accumulators and System Bets
An accumulator combines selections into one bet. A losing selection normally makes the accumulator lose. If a selection is void, it is commonly treated at odds of 1.00, reducing the combined odds rather than automatically refunding the full stake. The official multiple-bet rules determine the outcome.
System bets contain several combinations. A losing or void selection can affect those combinations differently, so review the system type and settlement breakdown instead of treating it as a single accumulator.
Cancellation and Cash Out
Do not assume you can cancel or edit a prematch bet after acceptance. Any cancellation option must be expressly available under the applicable rules.
Cash out, if offered for an eligible bet, is separate from cancellation or a void refund. Availability and quoted amounts can change or be withdrawn. A request is not completed until the system confirms it, and the amount may be below your original stake. Check the applicable cash-out conditions before accepting an offer.
Technical Errors and Incorrect Odds
Obvious pricing mistakes, incorrect event data, duplicated markets or system faults may lead to a correction, revised settlement or voiding as permitted by the official terms. An acceptance message does not remove the application of those provisions.
Review your slip before confirming. If something appears incorrect, keep the bet reference and relevant screenshots, and request a review rather than assuming the displayed price or result is final.
User Responsibilities Before Placing a Bet
- Check the event, participants, start time, market and covered period.
- Review the odds, stake, account currency and potential return.
- Check account limits, eligibility restrictions and any bonus conditions.
- Confirm only when the details are correct, then verify the bet status.
Follow the Age Restriction Policy and applicable regional restrictions. Never use another person's account or attempt to bypass limits.
Responsible Gaming
Set a spending limit you can afford, avoid chasing losses and take breaks. Betting should not be treated as income. Visit Responsible Gaming for information about safer participation and available account controls.
Where to Check Full Rules
This page is a plain-language summary, not a replacement for the binding Terms and Conditions and applicable market rules. For regulatory and eligibility information, also consult License & Regulation and Legal Status in Ethiopia.
If a settlement appears incorrect, compare the market rule with your accepted bet record, then use Contact Us. Provide the bet reference, event, market and reason for your query. Follow the official complaints process if the issue remains unresolved.
FAQ About Prematch Betting Rules
What is a prematch bet?
It is a sports bet accepted before the event officially starts, while the relevant prematch market is open.
Can odds change before my bet is accepted?
Yes. Review any updated price and check the odds recorded on the accepted bet.
What happens if a match is postponed?
The bet may remain open or be voided, depending on the sport-specific rules and rescheduling conditions.
What does void bet mean?
The bet is neither won nor lost. Stake treatment depends on whether it is a single, multiple or bonus-funded bet.
Are football prematch bets settled after 90 minutes?
Standard full-time markets commonly use 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties count only when the market rules include them.
Can I cancel a prematch bet after confirmation?
Not automatically. Cancellation or cash out must be available and permitted under the applicable conditions.
What happens if the event starts before my bet is accepted?
The prematch bet should not be accepted. If accepted because of an error, it may be corrected or voided under the official terms.
Where can I read the full ZPlay Bet betting rules?
Read the Terms and Conditions and the rules for your sport and market. Use the legal and regulatory pages above for eligibility information.
Author: Adanech Tilahun
Adanech covers registration, age requirements, SMS confirmation, KYC documents, account recovery, and privacy information. She explains what users may encounter without encouraging them to bypass identity, location, or security controls. Unclear requirements remain visibly marked until reliable evidence resolves them.