The betting industry has been torn on how to settle bets after the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 final result was overturned this week.

Morocco, who were beaten in a controversial final by Senegal back in January, have now officially been declared as AFCON champions following a review by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and many major bookmakers have taken different approaches to settling bets on the event. 

French operator Betclic confirmed it will pay out on Morocco as AFCON tournament winners, including outright bets (odds 5.00 – 4/1) and final victory bets (odds 1.60 – 3/5), while also honouring bets already settled on Senegal.

The operator described the situation as “unprecedented”, noting that although its rules allow settlements based on the original result, it chose to recognise the revised outcome given the exceptional circumstances.

A spokesperson for the company said: “At Betclic, everything starts from a passion for sports and those moments that make us vibrate. 

“Two months after a final, seeing its result completely overturned is an unprecedented situation. In this exceptional context, we have decided to take this new sporting reality into account by validating the stakes that declared Morocco as the winner.” 

Paddy Power has taken a similar approach, adding: “Just a pity it’s two months late, innit?…

“That means we’ve paid out TWICE on the tournament winner as any punters who plumped for Senegal cashed in eight weeks ago.

“And that’s not all we’re giving away following the reversal because any singles bets on the final itself have been refunded as a free bet, with the usual terms and conditions applying.”

Fellow Flutter Entertainment-owned firms Sky Bet and Betfair have paid out on Morocco in the outright AFCON market.

AFCON Settlement

The result of the 2025 AFCON final has been officially reversed, with Morocco now being crowned winners of the tournament.

We have now paid out on Morocco as winners in the outright market.

— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) March 18, 2026

However, not all operators have followed suit. BetMGM told media publication Front Officer Sports that it will not adjust payouts, citing standard house rules that bets are settled based on the result on the field.

The much-discussed prediction market platform Kalshi has also refused to reverse outcomes, saying that “there is a specific rule that accounts for this in the contract that states if the result of the achievement is reversed or changed after the contract expires, it does not affect the resolution”.

The controversial AFCON fallout

The CAF decision to award Morocco a 3-0 victory followed incidents at the end of the final, when Senegal players – excluding captain Sadio Mane – exited the field of play in protest against refereeing decisions, after Morocco were awarded a late penalty. 

The players reentered the pitch after 17 minutes and Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved by Edouard Mendy. The game then finished 0-0, entered extra time and Pape Gueye scored a 94th minute winner for Senegal, causing raucous celebrations. 

However, two months on, Morocco have now been awarded a default 3-0 win – and the backlash has been huge. Fans, players and pundits alike have noted that it tarnishes the reputation of African football. 

Senegal will appeal the decision, but a verdict to the appeal is set to take around a year. Senegalese players have taken to social media, posting pictures with their medals and the AFCON trophy. 

The scenario in its entirety is one of the most unprecedented seen by the footballing community, and many bookmakers have been placed in a tight spot with settling bets on an event that concluded over 50 days ago.