Do Own Goals Count in Betting? Rules on Own Goals Explained

Own goals are part of football, and they can cause uncertainty for anyone placing a bet. Do they count, and if so, where?

This blog post explains how bookmakers treat own goals across common markets, how official records shape settlement, and where exceptions appear. You will also find clear pointers on accumulators and in-play bets, plus simple ways to confirm the rules before you stake anything.

Knowing these points helps avoid surprises once the final whistle goes.

How Do Bookmakers Define An Own Goal

Bookmakers follow the official match report. An own goal is recorded when a player sends the ball into their own net, and the scorer is listed as that defending player rather than anyone on the attacking side.

For betting, the attribution made by the referee or competition officials is what counts. If a goal is marked as an own goal in the official records, bookmakers settle relevant markets on that basis. It is never reassigned to an opposing player, even if their pressure led to the mistake.

Rules can differ slightly between markets, so it is worth checking how a specific bet is settled before you place it. With that in mind, how does this play out in the most popular markets?

Do Own Goals Count For Match Result Bets?

Yes. For match result bets such as Home Win, Draw or Away Win, own goals are part of the final score. If a game ends 1-0 because of an own goal, the benefiting side wins 1-0 for settlement purposes.

These markets are settled on the official result at full time, regardless of who scored. That simple principle removes most of the confusion here.

Moving from the overall result to individual scorers, the rules change.

Do Own Goals Count For First Goalscorer And Anytime Goalscorer Markets?

No. Own goals do not usually count for first goalscorer or anytime goalscorer bets because they are not credited to an attacking player.

If the first goal is an own goal, bookmakers typically wait for the next goal that is officially awarded to an attacking player. If no such goal is scored, first goalscorer bets are settled as losers unless a no goalscorer option is offered and selected. The same applies to anytime goalscorer markets, which only settle on named players who are credited with a goal in the match report.

Next, consider markets that focus on scorelines and totals rather than who scored them.

How Are Own Goals Treated In Correct Score And Over/Under Markets?

Own goals count in both correct score and over/under goals markets because settlement is based on the official scoreline. A 2-1 result is a 2-1 result, even if one of those goals was put in by a defender at the wrong end.

For example, if you back Over 2.5 Goals and the match finishes 2-1 with one own goal, the total is still three and the over selection wins. Correct score works the same way: goals are added to the benefiting team’s total exactly as recorded.

That logic carries into handicap betting, but there are a few extra details to keep in mind.

Do Own Goals Affect Handicap And Each-Way Bets?

In handicap betting, all goals count towards the real match score before the handicap is applied. If Team A -1 beats Team B 2-1 and one of those goals is an own goal, the result used for settlement is still 2-1. After applying the handicap, the handicap result is 1-1, which would typically be a push if that outcome is covered by the bookmaker’s rules.

Each-way bets in football are rarer and usually relate to long-term markets. For player top goalscorer, own goals never add to a player’s tally. For team outrights such as league finishing position, own goals only matter indirectly through match results across the season.

Accumulators combine all these rules, which is where clarity really pays off.

What Happens To Accumulators If An Own Goal Is Scored?

Each selection in an accumulator follows the rules of its own market. In practice, that means own goals will count for match result, correct score and totals legs, but not for goalscorer legs.

For example, if your acca includes Over 2.5 Goals and a Player X anytime selection, and the match ends 3-0 with one own goal and no goal for Player X, the totals leg wins while the goalscorer leg loses. The overall outcome depends on how all selections perform.

The same approach applies when betting during the action itself.

Own Goals In Live And In-Play Betting

In live and in-play markets, own goals are treated just as they are pre-match. The data feed updates the score to include any own goals, which then affects markets such as next team to score, correct score and total goals. For goalscorer markets, own goals are ignored because no attacking player is credited.

Occasionally, settlement waits for official confirmation if there is uncertainty over who scored. Once the governing body confirms the decision, markets are adjusted and settled accordingly.

Understanding who gets credit for a goal helps to make sense of these updates.

When Is A Goal Awarded To A Player Instead Of An Own Goal?

A goal is awarded to an attacking player when their attempt is judged to be on target and ends up in the net, even if it takes a slight deflection off a defender. If the original shot was off target and it only goes in because of the defender’s touch, it is recorded as an own goal.

These decisions follow established guidelines and are made by the officials or the competition’s review panel. Bookmakers then settle bets according to that final attribution.

Occasional variations exist between operators, so it is wise to know how yours phrases its rules.

Common Bookmaker Variations And Market Rules

Most bookmakers mirror the official match report, but edge cases can be handled differently. For example, some may void certain first goalscorer bets if the only goal is an own goal, whereas others simply settle all selections as losers unless no goalscorer was available. Wording can also vary for anytime goalscorer, player specials and certain accumulator constructs.

It is also worth noting how operators handle postponed or abandoned fixtures and how in-play markets are settled when a goal decision is reviewed. These procedural details can influence whether a bet stands or is voided.

If in doubt, check the small print before you commit.

How To Check The Market Rules Before Placing A Bet?

Before you place a bet, open the market’s rules or terms link to see exactly how own goals, delays and revisions are handled. Most sites also have a help centre with sport-specific rules. If anything is unclear, customer support can confirm how a scenario would be settled.

Examples Of Bookmaker Rule Wording

Bookmakers use different wording, but you will often see phrases along the lines of:

• “Own goals do not count for goalscorer markets and are ignored for the purpose of settlement.”
• “All goals scored, including own goals, count towards the match result and total goals markets.”
• “Goals must be awarded by the official governing body for settlement purposes. Disputed or later revised scorers are not considered after settlement.”
• “For first goalscorer bets, if the only goal is an own goal, all bets will be settled as losers unless no goalscorer is an option.”

Checking this wording gives clarity on how a bet will be treated and helps avoid surprises. If you choose to bet, set sensible limits and never stake more than you can afford. If gambling starts to affect your well-being or finances, support is available from organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware.

Understanding how own goals are settled, and reading the rules for your market, keeps expectations clear from kick-off to full time.