First Past The Post Payout: How Protest Payouts works

Justin Darcy

Editor

Last updated: Thu 26 Nov 2020 17:12

Justin Darcy 26 Nov 2020

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Your guide on the First Past The Post Payout
Why are you paid out if your horse loses on protest?
Our expert will guide you through the bookmaker feature

In the event of a protest second vs first, if the protest is upheld, both are paid out as winners (Getty)

First past the post payout is a feature used by most bookmakers, where if your horse wins the race, but is beaten on protest, they will pay you out as the winner.

Bookmakers running the promotion or feature will payout on the second placed horse, promoted to first, as well as the original winner if they are demoted following a protest.

This is often an incentive for punters to be safe than sorry when betting on a race, where even if you finish in front and are demoted to second, you are still the winner.

How does the First Past The Post Payout work?

When betting on a race with fixed or tote odds, and you bet on the horse that finishes first across the line, but is demoted to second due to a protest, then you are still paid out as if you won the race.

In essence, bookmakers are paying out on both the official first and second place getters in the race, if there was a protest, demoting the horse who was first past the finish post, into second spot.

What codes of racing is this available?

This feature is available on Horse Racing only.

Being a high wagering sport, punters will often have an opportunity to take advantage of this feature than in greyhounds where there are no protests and in the Harness racing where there are not often protests.

Does this payout include exotics?

The first past the post payout only includes fixed win bets in races, and no extra exotics or multis that a punter may have taken with the horses involved.

Which bookmakers offer Protest Payout insurance?

Almost all Australian betting sites have this feature. You will find it available at Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, Palmerbet, PlayUp and SportsBetting among others.

First Past The Post Payout FAQs

What is the First Past The Post Payout?

First past the post payout is a feature used by most bookmakers, where if your horse wins the race, but is beaten on protest, they will pay you out as the winner, as they will the second placed horse, promoted to first.

Can I be paid out on top tote betting?

Both fixed odds and tote win bets on horses demoted from first to second will be paid out as winning bets.

Do I get paid out on exotics and multibets?

The first past the post payout only includes fixed win bets in races, and no extra exotics or multis that a punter may have taken with the horses involved.