What is Suspend Betting? Suspend Betting Explained in 2 minutes
Jesse M. Cox Last Verified
19/04/2026
What is Suspend Betting?
To suspend betting is when a bookmaker stops taking bets on a particular event or market in that event.
A sportsbook reserves the right to suspend the betting on an event at any time and can be due to a number of reasons.
Firstly, if a team suddenly sees a vast amount of money put on an outsider the betting may be suspended as the bookmaker may suspect foul play such as an attempt to manipulate the market by match-fixing.
A more common use of suspend betting is when a wicket is taken in cricket and the betting is immediately suspend for a short period whilst the in-play match odds are recalculated.
How is Suspend Betting used in Sports Betting?
The betting may also be suspended by a bookmaker on a particular team if it is clear a certain scenario is going to happen.
For example, if Manchester United are 4-0 up against Luton Town in the FA Cup with just five minutes to go, the betting will be suspended on punters backing Manchester United in-play because it is all but certain United will win the game.
Another example of a bookmaker using suspend betting is when a wicket is taken in cricket. When this occurs the outcome of the game can change dramatically. Immediately suspending the betting allows the bookmaker time to change the odds and prevent professional gamblers getting an edge by placing a bet before they have recalculated the odds, and thus giving themselves the advantage.
Did you know…
It is not just in sport that bookmakers suspend the betting. Irish bookmaker Paddy Power were forced to suspend the betting on the birth of Prince William and Kate’s third child after a flurry of bets were laid that the child would be born sooner than expected.
This was because in April 2018, officials closed the roads outside the Lingo Wing of the hospital where Prince Louis was eventually born thus prompting the bookie to suspend the betting.
