Last updated: 21 February 2025
Football betting rules at Habtam Bet
These football betting rules explain how Habtam Bet generally settles prematch and live football markets, including match results, goals, extra time, penalty shootouts, postponed events and official result changes. They are intended to help players understand a market before placing a bet.
Before confirming a selection, check the market name, the time period covered, the event status and any special wording shown on the bet slip. The specific market rules displayed with your bet take priority if they differ from this general guide. Habtam Bet aims to settle football bets according to published market rules and official event data. The Terms and Conditions also apply.
Standard settlement time: 90 minutes
What does “90 minutes” mean in football betting? For most markets, it means the scheduled match time, normally 90 minutes, plus the stoppage time or added time announced by the referee. It does not normally include extra time played after a draw.
This is the usual basis for:
- Match Result / 1X2;
- Double Chance;
- Total Goals and other totals;
- Handicap markets;
- Both Teams to Score.
For example, a goal scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time belongs to the 90-minute period. A goal scored in extra time usually does not count for a standard market unless the market wording says that extra time is included. This distinction is central to 90 minutes football betting and to the football betting settlement rules for each selection.
When extra time counts
Extra time football betting is different from an ordinary full-time or 1X2 selection. Extra time is counted only when the market or its rules clearly include it, such as “including extra time”, “to qualify”, “winner of tie”, “team to lift the trophy” or “outright winner”.
Suppose Team A is level with Team B after regulation time but wins during extra time. A standard “Team A to win” Match Result bet will generally be settled on the 90-minute result, while a “Team A to qualify” selection may be successful if the market includes extra time and, where applicable, a penalty shootout. Always read the time period attached to the market rather than relying on the competition format.
How penalties are settled
A penalty kick taken during normal play or extra time is a match event. It can affect a goals, player or other market when that market covers the relevant period. A penalty shootout after extra time is a separate event and is not normally added to 90-minute totals.
In practical terms, a penalty during the match is not the same as a penalty shootout. Shootout goals usually do not count towards Total Goals, Both Teams to Score or standard Match Result markets. The shootout outcome may determine a “to qualify”, trophy or outright market when the applicable rules include it. These are the main penalty shootout betting rules to check before confirming a bet.
Cancelled, postponed and abandoned matches
What happens when a fixture does not proceed as planned? A cancelled football match bet or postponed football match betting selection is handled under the event and market rules in force at Habtam Bet. The relevant policy may specify a period in which the match must start or be completed; do not assume that every event has the same deadline.
- If a match is cancelled before kick-off, affected bets may be void and the stake may be returned, unless a specific market rule provides another treatment.
- If a match is postponed before it starts, the bet may remain open or may be void depending on the stated rescheduling period and competition rules.
- If a match begins and is then abandoned, markets already determined beyond reasonable doubt may be settled, while other selections may be void under the applicable conditions.
- If the match is completed later, the treatment depends on whether the event remains the same fixture and whether the permitted completion period has been met.
- If an official result is changed after the final whistle, settlement follows the relevant Habtam Bet Terms and Conditions and official-data policy.
An incorrect date, team name or market description should be reported to support. It may lead to a cancelled bet or a void bet where the event cannot be identified reliably. The final outcome depends on the published rules for that event, not on an assumption that a refund applies in every disputed situation.
Live football betting settlement
Live markets can move while an event is being played. A goal, red card, VAR review, penalty, injury or dangerous attacking move may cause a market suspension. A live selection may also be received after a short delay, when the relevant event has already changed the available price.
Under the live football betting rules, a request can be accepted at a revised price, rejected, or held for confirmation before it becomes an accepted bet. Visit Habtam Bet live for the available live events and always check the completed bet slip. A selection shown only as a pending request is not the same as a confirmed bet.
Odds changes and bet confirmation
Football odds change frequently, particularly during live play. The odds shown before confirmation are not necessarily the final odds. If the price changes before acceptance, the system may display the new price for your approval or reject the request.
Review the teams, market, time period, selection, stake and odds in the bet slip before pressing confirm. If the bet is not accepted, it should not be treated as a settled wager. This simple check is especially important when a market has just reopened after a suspension.
VAR, official data and result corrections
VAR can change whether a goal, penalty or card is recorded. During a review, the affected market may be suspended until the decision is known. Settlement is based on the official event information used under Habtam Bet’s applicable rules, rather than on an initial stadium announcement or an unofficial live feed.
Where a goal is disallowed, a red card is changed, or another match fact is corrected, the result may be settled only after the official data is confirmed. If an official source later changes information already used for settlement, Habtam Bet will act according to its Terms and Conditions. For regulatory information, see License & Regulation.
Player, cards and corners markets
Player markets, cards and corners can have definitions that differ from standard match markets. Cards may apply only to players on the field, or may include other team personnel, according to the specific market rules. Corners are generally based on officially awarded and taken corners, but the exact definition should be checked before betting.
A player selection may be void if the player does not take part, although this depends on the market terms. An own goal is usually not credited as a goal by that player unless the rules state otherwise. For player markets, cards and corners, check the specific market rules before placing a bet.
Examples of football bet settlement
Scenario: Team A and Team B finish 1–1 after 90 minutes. Team A wins in extra time.
Settlement: A standard 1X2 bet on Team A generally loses because the market is based on 90 minutes. A market marked “including extra time” may be treated differently.
Scenario: The score is 0–0 after extra time, and Team B wins the penalty shootout.
Settlement: An Over 0.5 Total Goals bet based on 90 minutes normally loses. The shootout result may count for a “to qualify” market if that market includes penalties.
Scenario: A scheduled match is cancelled before kick-off.
Settlement: The affected selection may become void with a refund stake, subject to the event deadline and applicable rules.
Scenario: A live bet is submitted while VAR is reviewing a possible penalty.
Settlement: The request may wait for confirmation, be accepted at changed odds, or be rejected if the market was suspended before acceptance.
Scenario: A “Team B to Qualify” selection is placed for a knockout match.
Settlement: Extra time and a penalty shootout may count when the market rules include all methods of qualification.
Responsible football betting
Football betting should be entertainment, not a way to earn income or recover losses. Set a budget before playing, use available limits or breaks, and never chase a previous result. If betting stops feeling manageable, consider a pause or self-exclusion and seek support through Responsible Gaming.
Football betting is for adults only. Review the Age Restriction Policy and do not allow underage people to use your account or payment method.
Related Habtam Bet pages
For a specific football bet settlement question, compare the market wording, event status and confirmed bet slip with the current rules before contacting support. This approach helps clarify whether a selection was won, lost, rejected, cancelled or treated as a football betting void.
Author: Dereje Kassaye
Dereje is an editor specialising in betting research standards and content quality. He reviews evidence, sources, testing records, disclosures, ratings, and update dates. He requires every article to offer original analysis, transparent limitations, and clear value for Ethiopian readers.