The terms defined in this section are those employed by gaming regulatory authorities in major jurisdictions, including the Malta Gaming Authority, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, the Curaçao eGaming Authority, and the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Push Definition and Application
A push occurs when the outcome of a wager produces neither a win nor a loss. In sports betting operations licensed under the MGA framework, a push is explicitly defined as a settled outcome in which the bettor receives their stake in full, with no additional payment. This definition applies uniformly across single-event and multi-leg wagers, with the notable exception of teasers and pleasers, which are treated under separate rules in most licensed jurisdictions.
The Curaçao eGaming Authority, in directive 2022-004, specifies that pushes on multi-bet parlays must be handled in one of three approved methods: the parlay collapses to the number of legs remaining; the parlay remains at the original odds but with reduced stake; or the entire parlay is canceled and the original stake refunded. The operator must specify the method in its terms of service prior to account creation.
Void Outcome Mechanics
A void is distinct from a push. A void indicates that the event did not take place, was not completed, or cannot be definitively settled. In void situations, the wager is removed from the ticket entirely, as though the bet never occurred.
Under UKGC guidelines published in 2021, voids are categorized as follows:
The event is postponed or canceled before the official start time. The event is suspended before completion without completion occurring on the same calendar day. The event is declared no-contest, no-action, or incomplete by the official governing body. Insufficient information exists to determine the outcome with certainty.
These distinctions matter for multi-event wagering. If you wager on five NFL games as a parlay and one is voided, that leg disappears; the parlay continues with the remaining four legs at the original odds. The void acts as a transparent removal, not a loss.
No Action Specifications
The term "no action" is used inconsistently across jurisdictions, which creates compliance burden for multi-market operators. In Nevada and New Jersey, no action typically means the wager is canceled and the stake returned in full. In certain European jurisdictions, no action may imply the same as a void or the same as a push, depending on the specific sport and the operator's approved terms.
The Maltese framework, licensed operators issue, clarifies that no action decisions are operator-discretionary within certain boundaries. For example, if a player is sent off in a football match before the betting line for that specific player is determined, the operator may classify that outcome as no action. The operator retains discretion so long as its decision is applied consistently and disclosed in advance.
These definitions exist because regulatory authorities require certainty. Ambiguity in settlement creates disputes; disputes require costly adjudication. Standardized language serves both the operator and the player.
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