Football is the go-to category for many punters on betting apps. It’s an easy sport to bet on, but some football betting markets could be confusing, especially when own goals are involved. Own goals counting or not can be vital when betting categories are based on scores.
An own goal in football occurs when a player unintentionally scores a goal into their own team's net. In my case, there were a few times I purposely headed the ball into my own net, usually when my mates stuck me in defense against my will. But we’ll keep that between ourselves.
Do Own Goals Count in Betting?
Yes, own goals count in betting, but only in certain markets. Some betting markets treat all goals equally, regardless of who scores them. However, there are also others, like player-based bets, which can ignore their own goals.
Football betting apps generally feature explainers for score-based bets, but they may not always be enough to address punters’ confusion.
Betting Markets Where Own Goals Do Count
Own goals are treated like any other goal in many popular UK betting apps. Here are all the betting markets where you can expect your goals to count.
| Market | Do Own Goals Count? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Match Result (1X2) | Yes ✅ | The match outcome depends on the final score, regardless of who scored. |
| Correct Score | Yes ✅ | If the match ends 1–0 due to an own goal, your 1–0 correct score bet wins. |
| Over/Under Goals (e.g., Over 2.5) | Yes ✅ | Total goal count includes own goals. |
| Both Teams to Score (BTTS) | Yes ✅ | Even if a team’s only goal is an own goal, it still counts as “scoring”. |
| First Team to Score | Usually Yes ✅ | The team credited with the goal (even if it’s an OG) is considered the scorer. |
| Goal Time Markets | Yes ✅ | The time of any goal, including OGs, is valid. |
| Handicap Markets | Yes ✅ | These are based on the scoreline, not who scores. |
Betting Markets Where Own Goals DON’T Count
Own goals don’t count and are ignored in player-specific bets. Here are all the betting markets where own goals don't count:
| Market | Do Own Goals Count? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| First Goalscorer | No ❌ | If the first goal is an own goal, the market waits for the next actual scorer. |
| Anytime Goalscorer | No ❌ | A player must score for their own team to count. |
| Scorecast / Wincast | No ❌ | The player must score for their own team; OGs are excluded. |
| Goal Method (e.g., Header, Shot from Distance) | No ❌ | OGs are not recognized for method-based bets. |
| Hat-Trick / 2+ Goals | No ❌ | Own goals don’t count towards these tallies. |
Own Goal Betting FAQs
No, own goals do not count in the first goalscorer market on Bet365. The first valid goalscorer must score for their own team.
No, Sky Bet excludes own goals from their first goalscorer market. Bets roll over to the next valid goalscorer.
Yes, own goals count toward the match score. However, they don’t count for individual player goal markets.
Own goals count toward the overall match score but not in individual goalscorer or scorecast markets on Bet365 or Paddy Power.
No, assists are not awarded for own goals. Only goals scored for the attacking team can be credited with assists.
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