What is In Running Betting? In Running Betting Explained in 2 minutes
Mike Goodpaster Last Verified
26/06/2026
What is In-Running Betting?
In-running betting – also called live or in-play betting – is placing a bet while an event is taking place. It is a favourite with football matches but refers to betting on any event after it has started.
In-running betting has become particularly popular since the rise in online betting as there are vast amounts of markets to choose from, although it is possible to bet in-play in a traditional betting shop.
How is In-Running Betting used in Sports Betting?
With more and more sports events to choose from, bettors have increasingly favoured in-running betting to increase their profits. With in-running betting the odds are constantly updated in accordance to how the event is progressing so the skill here is to time the bet right and predict how the event may change. In-running betting quite regularly offers very short odds due to the live nature of the events.
As well as the favourite 1-x-2 bets, in-running betting includes all kinds of detailed bets, such as the next point in a tennis match, or the next corner in a football match. Although online sites have made in-running betting much easier, there is always a slight delay from live action to the site and the possibility to bet, so streaming devices are not always the best option for keeping right up with the action.
Did you know…
One famous example of bettors losing out on what seemed like a sure-fire in-running bet was the 2004 FA Cup match between Tottenham and Manchester City. Thousands of bets were placed on Spurs to win when they were 3-0 up at half-time, but a City comeback meant the match finished 4-3 to the Sky Blues.
