What Is an Anytime Goalscorer Bet? Meaning and Payouts

What is an anytime goalscorer bet? It is a wager on a named player to score at least once during a match, at any point in the 90 minutes plus stoppage time. For example, a striker who scores in the first minute wins the bet, and so does a defender who heads in a corner in the 93rd minute. In other words, the timing of the goal does not matter, and neither does the final score. Above all, the appeal is plain: you only need one goal from one player.

On the other hand, the odds are shorter than markets that ask for more, such as first goalscorer. Firstly, this guide explains the meaning and the payout. Secondly, it covers the rules that catch people out, including substitutes, own goals and voids. Finally, it compares the market with first goalscorer and shows how it works in multiples.

Last updated: November 2026

Quick Answer

• An anytime goalscorer bet wins if your player scores at least once in 90 minutes plus stoppage time.
• A substitute’s goals count, and a player who comes on late can still win the bet.
• Own goals do not count, and goals in extra time or a penalty shootout do not count.
• If your player does not take part in the match at all, the bet is void and your stake is refunded.

What Is an Anytime Goalscorer Bet?

An anytime goalscorer bet asks one question: will this player score at least once before the final whistle? The goal can come from open play, from a header, from a penalty, or from a deflection, as long as the goal counts for your player. In short, the method does not matter. For instance, a striker who taps in a rebound wins the bet just as surely as a midfielder who scores from 25 yards.

The counted period is 90 minutes plus stoppage time. By contrast, goals scored in extra time or in a penalty shootout do not count. In cup matches, a player who scores in the 110th minute does not win an anytime goalscorer bet. One goal is enough, and a second or third goal from the same player does not increase the return on a standard single.

How Anytime Goalscorer Odds Work

The odds reflect how likely the player is to score: a star striker in a free-scoring team might be priced at 1.50, while a centre-back might be priced at 9.00. For example, the gap between those two prices is the gap between a player who scores most weeks and one who scores twice a season. Shorter odds mean a higher chance of winning and a smaller return, while longer odds mean the opposite.

Odds	Implied chance of scoring
1.50	66.7%
2.00	50.0%
2.50	40.0%
3.00	33.3%
4.00	25.0%

To work out the implied chance, divide 1 by the odds. For instance, 1 divided by 2.50 gives 0.40, which is 40.0%. As a result, odds of 2.50 mean the bookmaker thinks your player has about a two-in-five chance of scoring. On the other hand, remember that odds include the bookmaker’s margin, so the true chance sits slightly below the implied figure.

What Is an Anytime Goalscorer Bet Payout?

The payout is simple: stake multiplied by the odds. If you stake ₦500 at 2.50 and your player scores, your return is ₦1,250, including your stake, so your profit is ₦750. If your player does not score, you lose the ₦500.

Here is the same payout at a few common prices, all for a ₦500 stake:

Odds	Return	Profit
1.50	₦750	₦250
2.00	₦1,000	₦500
2.50	₦1,250	₦750
3.00	₦1,500	₦1,000
4.00	₦2,000	₦1,500

In other words, a winning bet at 2.50 returns two and a half times your stake, while a losing bet returns nothing. That is why the implied chance matters: at 2.50, your player needs to score more often than two times in five for you to come out ahead over many bets.

The Rules: Substitutes, Own Goals and Voids

The rules are where this market catches people out. Firstly, a substitute’s goals count: any player who takes the field for any part of the match counts as a runner, and the bet stands. For example, a forward who comes on in the 89th minute and scores in stoppage time wins the bet.

Secondly, own goals do not count: a defender who puts the ball into his own net is not the winning scorer. For instance, if a match ends 1-0 through an own goal, all anytime goalscorer bets on that match lose.

Thirdly, a player who plays and does not score loses the bet: there is no refund for a player who had their chance and did not take it. Similarly, a player who starts and receives a red card still counts as having taken part. Finally, goals ruled out by VAR do not count: settlement follows the goal as the referee awards it, not as it first appeared.

What Happens If Your Player Does Not Play?

If your player does not take part in the match at all, the bookmaker voids the bet and refunds your stake. That is the majority rule at major bookmakers. For example, if you back a striker who sits out the squad entirely, you get your money back. In a multiple, the bookmaker voids the leg and reprices the bet on the remaining selections, rather than losing the whole bet. To understand the wider void rules, read our guide to what a void bet is.

That said, a small number of bookmakers settle non-starters as losers rather than voids, so check your bookmaker’s football rules before you place the bet. In practice, though, the void-and-refund rule is the standard position. The key point is the difference between not playing and playing without scoring: an unused substitute brings a refund, while a player who plays 90 minutes without scoring brings a loss.

What Is an Anytime Goalscorer Bet Compared With First Goalscorer?

The closest market is first goalscorer, and the two are easy to confuse. The difference is timing: first goalscorer needs the opening goal of the match, while anytime goalscorer needs any goal. As a result, first goalscorer pays more. For example, a striker might be 6.00 to score first and 2.50 to score at any time.

Market	What you need	Odds for the same striker	₦500 stake return
First goalscorer	The opening goal	6.00	₦3,000
Anytime goalscorer	Any goal	2.50	₦1,250

In other words, the first-goalscorer bet pays ₦1,750 more on the same stake, because it is far harder to win: 6.00 implies about 16.7%, while 2.50 implies 40.0%. There is also a difference in the substitute rule: a first-goalscorer bet voids if your player comes on after the first goal has already been scored, while an anytime bet has no such restriction. For the full comparison, read our guide to what a first goalscorer bet is.

What Is an Anytime Goalscorer Bet in a Multiple?

An anytime goalscorer pick works in a multiple just like any other selection: the odds multiply together. For example, an anytime goalscorer at 2.50 combined with a single bet on a team to win at 2.00 gives combined odds of 5.00. A ₦500 stake on that double returns ₦2,500 if both selections win, for a profit of ₦2,000.

That said, every leg must win: if your player scores but the team does not win, the whole multiple loses. On the other hand, if your player does not take part, the bookmaker voids only that leg and reprices the multiple on the remaining legs. To place a multiple, add each selection to your betting slip.

How to Pick an Anytime Goalscorer

Picking starts with the team sheet: a player who starts is a better pick than one who might sit on the bench, even at the same odds. For example, a striker who starts every match is a safer pick than a forward who shares minutes with two rivals. Next, look at scoring form and shots: a player who takes several shots per match scores more often than one who rarely shoots. Similarly, a player on penalty duty has an extra route to a goal.

Also consider the opponent: a striker facing a team that concedes often is a stronger pick than the same striker facing the best defence in the league. Above all, avoid picking on reputation alone, and avoid backing a player who carries an injury or a defender at short odds. Finally, remember that no pick is a sure thing: even the shortest-priced striker fails to score in most matches.

What Is an Anytime Goalscorer Bet Under Nigerian Law?

Meanwhile, betting in Nigeria is for adults only — 18+ only. Regulation is state-led: the Supreme Court nullified the National Lottery Act 2005 on 22 November 2024, and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission framework applies only in the Federal Capital Territory. As a result, a bettor should check that a bookmaker holds a licence in the bettor’s own state, rather than assuming a site is “licensed by the NLRC” as a general rule. In addition, licensed bookmakers ask for identity checks, usually a Bank Verification Number or National Identity Number, before paying out winnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an anytime goalscorer bet for a substitute?

It is the same bet as for a starter: a substitute’s goals count in full, and the bet stays live from the moment the player comes on.

Does an anytime goalscorer bet include extra time?

No. Only goals in 90 minutes plus stoppage time count. A goal in extra time does not win the bet, and neither does a goal in a penalty shootout.

Do penalties count for anytime goalscorer?

Yes. A penalty scored by your player for their own team counts as a normal goal. The same applies to a goal from a direct free kick or a header.

Can I cash out an anytime goalscorer bet?

That depends on your bookmaker: some offer cash out on goalscorer markets, while others do not offer it on this market at all.

What happens if my player is sent off?

The bookmaker settles the bet on what happened while the player was on the pitch: a goal before the red card wins the bet, and no goal loses it.

Is anytime goalscorer better than first goalscorer?

Neither is better in general: anytime wins more often but pays less, while first goalscorer wins rarely but pays more.

The Bottom Line

What is an anytime goalscorer bet, in one line? A bet that your named player scores at least once in 90 minutes plus stoppage time. It is the simplest goalscorer market, it stays live until the final whistle, and its rules are friendly to substitutes. In short, pick a player who starts, who shoots often, and who takes penalties when they can. Above all, remember the void rule: no appearance means a refund, but an appearance without a goal means a loss.

Bet Responsibly: Betting is for adults aged 18+ only. Treat it as entertainment, not as a way to make money, and only stake what you can afford to lose. If betting stops being fun, stop. For help and guidance, visit our Responsible Gambling page.