The UK's Best Online Betting Bonuses - 2023

By Daniel Bennett & others on Fact checked by Adam Dickinson
Claim some of the best free bet offers for new and existing players with our recommended bookies for betting bonuses. Simply compare, pick your favourite and bet!

List of the Best Betting Offers in the UK

🏆 Best Betting Offers Unibet – Money Back as a Bonus Up To £40
🆓 Best Free Bet Bonuses HeySpin Sport – Bet £15 Get £10 in Free Bets
⚽ Best Football Betting Bonus 32 Red – 100% Profit Boost
🆕 Best Welcome Bonuses Bet Storm – Bet £10, Get £30 with Code ‘Bet30’
💵 Best Cashback Betting Offers 10bet – 50% up to £50

What is a betting bonus?

Which betting offer gives the highest bonus?

How can I redeem a betting bonus?

Is a bonus bet real money?

Can you withdraw a betting bonus?

Betting Site Score New Customer Bonus Expert Review Secure Sign Up Link Sports iOS App Android App Streaming Terms
1. Parimatch
92%
Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

"You can withdraw your funds from Parimatch within 30 minutes using the Visa FastFunds service available at selected banks. "
Get Bonus
32
No
No
No
New Customer Offer 18+, New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on any sports (odds 2.00+) in 7 days. No cash out. Get 4x£5 sports free bets for set markets (odds 2.00+), which expire in 7 days. Offer is valid from 10:00 UK time on 16/01/2023. Card payments only. T&Cs Apply. begambleaware.org | Please Gamble Responsibly 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
2. 32Red
80%
100% Profit Boost

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

"The Know Your Customer check is easy to complete and free bet welcome bonuses are easy to claim right after you sign up. "
Get Bonus
33
Yes
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer Opt in. Min. Odds Evs, Max. £10 stake, Max. additional profit £100. Skrill and Neteller deposits are not eligible 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
3. HeySpin
79%
Bet £15 Get £10

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

"Enjoy this new sportsbook with its slick platform and huge range of sports betting markets "
Get Bonus
45
No
No
Yes
New Customer Offer New Players only. Max. Free Bet Token amount: £10.Minimum Deposit: £15. Minimum wagering on Sport to activate the Free Bet Token: £15 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
4. Bet Storm
71%
Bet £10, Get £30 with Code 'Bet30'

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

"Enjoy fun competitions such as 'Wage Wars' and collect cash prizes while climbing up competition leaderboards "
Get Bonus
39
No
No
Yes
New Customer Offer New Players Only. Minimum stake $/€/£ 10, minimum odds1.5, stake not returned.1X wagering the winnings from the free bet. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Free bet is valid for 7 Days from issue. Max conversion: $/€/£ 200. Excluded Skrill deposits. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Full Terms Apply 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
5. Unibet
85%
Money Back As a Bonus Up To £40 + £10 Casino Bonus

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

"The easy to access odds boost option on racing bets makes this a solid option for those wagering on the horse. "
Get Bonus
38
Yes
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus if first sports bet loses. Wagering requirements: sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 50x. Unless forfeited the sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Bonus expires 7 days after opt-in. Visit Unibet.co.uk for full T&C's. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
6. 10bet
87%
50% up to £50

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

"The 10Bet experience was extremely smooth, verification was instant and my withdrawal was processed within 48 hours"
Get Bonus
32
Yes
Yes
No
New Customers Offer Min. deposit £15; Bonus amount 50% of deposit up to £50; Wager deposit and bonus 8x within 60 days; 4/5 Min. single odds or 2/5 min. acca selection odds; Max. stake contribution equal to the initial bonus; Certain bet types and payment methods excluded 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
7. Luckster Sport
78%
Bet £10 Get £10

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

"Try this brand new sportsbook which has a particularly strong section on football & e-sports "
Get Bonus
41
No
No
No
New Customer Offer New customers only. Max one free £10 bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as bonus token with min 4/5 odds required. Skrill, Neteller & PayPal not eligible. T&Cs apply. 18+ 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
8. Quinnbet
Free Bet Up To £35 + 10 Spins

Reviewed & verified by our team

"If you have recorded an overall loss over the course of a week at Quinnbet, you can claim 25% of them back as a free bet up to £50. "
Get Bonus
32
Yes
Yes
No
New Customer Offer If your account has Sportsbook losses at the end of your first day's betting, QuinnBet will refund 50% of your losses as a Free Bet up to £35 (min 3 bets) Plus 10 Free online casino spins at QuinnCasino. Even if your account is up, you're guaranteed a £5 Free Bet Plus 10 Free Spins provided you place at least 1 bet of £10 or greater at the minimum odds. T&Cs apply | 18+ New UK Customers Only | BeGambleAware.org 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
9. Grosvenor
82%
Double the odds

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

"Know Your Customer check easy to complete - simply scanned in my documents and the confirmation was received instantly "
Get Bonus
38
Yes
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer Double the odds. Bet must be placed using real money in combination with the Odds Boost Token. Offer applies to Sport bets only. £10 Max stake. Each way bets are a maximum of £5 each way (£10 total stake). Extra winnings are paid in cash. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
10. Bwin
82%
Sign up to get your £20 Backup Bet

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

"Use Bwin's multi-generator to create interesting accumulators from around the globe at a fast pace"
Get Bonus
38
Yes
Yes
No
New Customer Offer 18+ | New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Place 1 sport bet (3+ selections) | Excl Horse Racing | Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min Odds 2/1 (3.0) | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | T&Cs apply 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
11. Tebwin
71%
Bet £10 Get £30 with Code 'SB30'

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

"Offering in-depth markets and cashback on a multitude of sports, Tebwin is a perfect new sportsbook for the sports-mad fan "
Get Bonus
39
No
No
Yes
New Customer Offer New players only. Min $/€/£ 10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet - one-time stake of $/€/£ 200, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: $/€/£ 200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Excluded Skrill deposits. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Full Terms Apply 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
12. Boyle Sports
84%
Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

"Really strong website, easy to navigate between sports, competitions, accumulators. Withdrawals also processed within 48 hours. "
Get Bonus
35
Yes
Yes
No
New Customer Offer New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Payment method restrictions. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
13. Bet365
92%
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets

Reviewed & verified by our team

"Bet365 are one of the biggest online bookies and offer players a Bet Builder, Acca Boost and Early Payout on multiple markets"
Get Bonus
37
Yes
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer New customers only. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
14. Coral
91%
Bet £5, get £20 in free bets

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

"Verification was instant with quick & easy deposit. Wide range of markets & good odds. Paid out within 24h."
Get Bonus
53
Yes
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
15. Ladbrokes
88%
Bet £5, get £20 in free bets

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

"This is a great bookie for cashing out, offering the feature immediately after I placed my bet. Withdrawals were processed within two days as well."
Get Bonus
38
Yes
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. T&Cs apply, 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
🏆 Best Overall Score:
92%
🎁 Largest Free Bet:
£50
🤝 Highest Deposit Match:
100%
💷 Minimum Deposit:
£5

With the online sportsbook marketplace becoming even more competitive as new betting sites enter the fray each month, bettors are being bombarded with free bet offers, new bonuses and promo codes like never before. Every bookie wants you to sign up with them, but there’s just not enough time in the day to give them all a go. Fortunately, you won’t have to.

There are a bunch of welcome bonus offers out there, but there are also a few promotions for existing players too. Whether you’re looking to grab a bonus at a top football betting site, or want a bonus for betting on tennis, our quick guide to sports betting bonuses will give you everything you need to know to pick out the best bonus for you. Once you’re done, you can choose from our list of best betting sites – we’ve only picked out the best on the market.

Reviews for the UK's Best Sports Betting Bonus Sites

  • Bet365 welcomes new players with up to £100 in bet credits. To unlock this bonus, you’ll need to make a minimum £5 first deposit. The site will then match that deposit in bet credits when you settle a qualifying bet of the same value. Existing members are also catered for at Bet365. Ongoing promotions for various sports include football and tennis accumulator bonuses which can boost your acca winnings up to 70%, and early payout offers for football, the NBA and MLB. With these, you’ll get single bets paid out if your team goes ahead by a specified margin of goals or points.

    pros icon Pros:
    • Up to £100 welcome bonus
    • Acca boost bonuses
    • Early cashout promotions
    cons icon Cons:
    • No loyalty program
    • Not the best design
  • Sitting in the Aspire Global family with popular brands like Luckster, HeySpin is a top-notch sportsbook — especially if you’re looking for more unusual sports to bet on. Among its markets are things like winter sports, stock car racing, and floorball, alongside all your usual favourites. New players can snag a £10 free bet when they deposit and play £15 on any sport at the site. Payment methods are flexible at HeySpin, and there’s also a quality online casino if you fancy a change from sports betting.

    pros icon Pros:
    • Diverse range of markets including niche sports
    • Free bet welcome bonus
    • Plenty of payment methods supported
    • Integrated casino games
    cons icon Cons:
    • Limited ongoing sports betting bonuses
    • Uninspiring site design
  • Join Betfred and make a qualifying bet of at least £10, and the site will give you £30 in free bets when the bet is settled. As with our other top recommended UK sportsbooks, existing customers have bonuses on the menu too. Betfred’s ‘Double Delight’ and ‘Hat Trick Heaven’ promotions provide potential winnings boosts if your chosen player scores two or three goals respectively. These bonuses come in both pre-match and in-play varieties. If accumulators are your thing, you can opt-in for Betfred’s 5-fold acca insurance, which pays you back up to £10 in free bet credits if you lose by one selection. 

    pros icon Pros:
    • £30 in free bets for new customers
    • Boosted wins on football bets
    • Acca insurance promotion
    cons icon Cons:
    • Website design is quite cluttered
  • Horse racing fans might want to consider 10Bet, where best odds are guaranteed on all events, and punters will receive their money back as a free bet if their horse loses by a neck or less. 10Bet also offers an acca boost up to 50% on bet slips that have three legs or more. Before you sample 10Bet’s huge range of betting markets, there’s a 50% up to £50 welcome bonus available, unlocked by a minimum deposit of £15 and a PLAY10 bonus code. Bets placed using bonus funds must be placed on events with minimum odds of 4/5 for singles and 2/5 for accumulators. The wagering requirements are quite steep at 8x the deposit and bonus, but punters will have 60 days to fulfil them.  

    pros icon Pros:
    • Best odds guaranteed on all horse racing events
    • Acca boosts and money back promotions
    • Huge range of betting markets
    • Native app
    cons icon Cons:
    • High wagering requirements on welcome bonus
  • Through BetTarget’s Bet Battle feature, customers can compete with other members, placing on leaderboards and winning additional prizes on successful wagers. At the time of writing, there are dedicated battles for Premier League and European football events, though this will regularly change. New members will be offered a £10 free bet when they sign up and wager £15 of their own – this free bet can be used on single or acca markets, but must be wagered on odds of evens or higher. There are no wagering requirements of this welcome offer, but deposits made with PayPal, Skrill, Neteller and Paysafecard are excluded. 

    pros icon Pros:
    • Bet Battle for extra prizes
    • No wagering requirements on welcome offer
    • Target Tip offers exclusive betting insights
    cons icon Cons:
    • Lots of payment methods excluded from welcome bonus
    • No native app
  • At the time of writing, Bet Storm offers specific promos on football, cricket, rugby, tennis, horse racing, basketball, F1, MMA, darts, table tennis, ice hockey, volleyball and esports events – and some of these sports will be able to enjoy via the site’s live stream. This is a first-class range of promotions, offering punters the chance to wager in the sport they’re most familiar with. New members can claim £10 in free bets when depositing £10 of their own, and these must be placed on events with minimum odds of 1/2. Those taking part will need to wager their winnings 1x and will have seven days to do so. Bet Storm’s Wager Wars feature also allows punters to place on leaderboards in a bid to win additional cash prizes. 

    pros icon Pros:
    • Live streaming available
    • Loads of promos targeted at wide variety of sports
    • Wager Wars offers extra prizes
    cons icon Cons:
    • No native app
  • One of the best things about Luckster is that this betting site offers customers the chance to boost their acca odds by up to 77% on some pre-match markets. There’s a £10 free bet on offer once you’ve deposited and wagered your own £10, and this welcome offer comes with no wagering requirements and requires bets to be placed on events with minimum odds of 1/1. 

    pros icon Pros:
    • Up to 77% acca boost available on some bets
    • No wagering requirements on welcome bonus
    cons icon Cons:
    • Site sometimes prone to glitches and broken links
    • No native app
  • Sponsor of Scottish teams Dundee United and Hibs, QuinnBet is making waves around the whole of the UK thanks to its fantastic sports betting site and mobile app. With over 30 sports to bet on, there’s no shortage of choice. That choice extends to the promotions too. New players get a free bet worth 50% of their losses up to £35 if they’re down at the end of their first week of betting. But it’s the existing player offers where QuinnBet really sings — one of our favourite aspects of the site is its collection of betting bonuses which can be filtered by sport.

    pros icon Pros:
    • Fantastic range of ongoing promotions
    • Native mobile app
    • Huge range of sports markets
    • Integrated online casino
    cons icon Cons:
    • Unfavourable welcome bonus
    • Limited payment methods
  • Live streaming is one of the hallmarks of a great betting site, and Unibet offers this facility to its members, which means you can witness the action in real time from the Unibet site. The welcome bonus is offered as your money back if your first bet loses, requiring a minimum bet of £10. This comes with a wagering requirement of 3x, and Unibet will also chuck in a £10 bonus to use on the site’s online casino. Existing members will be able to make use of a range of other promotions too, including best odds guaranteed on all horse racing events and daily odds boosts on tennis events. Oh, and there’s £150 up for grabs for anyone who refers a friend to sign up. 

    pros icon Pros:
    • Live stream availability
    • Betting welcome offer includes a £10 casino bonus
    • £150 for those who refer a friend
    • Native app
    cons icon Cons:
    • Welcome bonus could be more generous
  • Newcomers to Ladbrokes who place a £5 minimum bet on any sport will enjoy £20 in free bets. The welcome bonus is awarded as 4 x £5 bets, so you can try wagering on a few different events with this offer. Once you’ve settled in, numerous promos keep things interesting, including a daily odds boost on any sport. You might use yours on the footie with the ‘Best Ever Acca’ promotion, which also has features like edit your bet, early cash out, and a free bet back up to £10 if one selection lets your acca down.

    pros icon Pros:
    • Acca promo packed with perks
    • Daily odds boost and enhanced prices
    • Best odds guarantee for horse racing bets
    cons icon Cons:
    • Welcome bonus could be more generous
  • Betfair serves up a couple of exciting welcome offers for new members. For starters, you can claim £30 in free bets by making a minimum £10 bet on the sportsbook. Plus, you can claim a risk-free £20 bet for trying out the Betfair Exchange. Just place your bet and, if it loses, you’ll receive a cash refund. The exchange is an exciting feature on the Betfair website that allows you to bet against other customers rather than against the bookmaker. It’s well worth trying out, and this offer allows you to do just that without risking any of your hard-earned cash. 

    pros icon Pros:
    • Generous bonus offers
    • Chance to bet against other punters
    • Football acca builder with cash-out option
    cons icon Cons:
    • Only debit cards or Apple Pay qualify for welcome bonus offers
  • BetVictor welcomes new customers with a choice of three offers. The first is a £30 welcome bonus, which is paid as 2 x £10 free bets and a £10 slots bonus in exchange for placing a minimum £5 bet on sports. The second welcome bonus flips things around and asks for your bet to be a maximum of £5. If your wager wins, BetVictor will triple your returns, up to £300 and paid in free bets. Option number three is perfect for racing fans. A £10 minimum bet earns you 3 x £10 free bets, along with the £10 slots bonus for the BetVictor online casino as before.

    pros icon Pros:
    • Choice of welcome bonuses
    • Best odds guaranteed on horse and greyhound racing
    • In-play betting on various sports
    cons icon Cons:
    • Max winnings caps on all bonuses
    • Only debit cards qualify
  • Bet UK welcomes new punters with 3 x £10 free bets for accas. To unlock the acca bonus bets, you’ll need to make your initial deposit and stake £10 on sports, at minimum odds of 1.5 and within seven days of signing up. Once you’ve claimed the welcome betting bonuses, there are plenty of reasons to stay on as a loyal customer. For example, there’s a 10% profit boost available on every Man City game until May 2023, along with a free bet club handing out up to 2 x £3 free bets to horse racing fans every week. You can also join the Bet UK Acca Club to liven up your online sports betting experience with weekly free bets and profit boosts. 

    pros icon Pros:
    • Low minimum stake required to access free bets
    • Betting bonuses available for different sports
    • Acca-focused free bet offer and bet club
    • Expert tips for football and horse racing
    cons icon Cons:
    • Only seven days to claim free bets, and just seven days to use them too
    • Not every punter enjoys placing acca bets
  • The Tebwin sign-up offer is a £10 free bet, which you can unlock by depositing £10 and then placing bets to the value of £10 or more. After that, you’ll want to hit up the promos page to take advantage of this bookie’s great choice of betting bonuses. For example, you can enjoy real money betting on tennis and get 10% cashback on your deposit losses when you pay in £10+ using promo code ‘NET’. While you can claim up to £500 cashback from this deal alone, Bet UK also offers cashback on big sporting events like the World Cup and the Cheltenham Festival — so there should always be a way to put a bit of money back in your pocket.

    pros icon Pros:
    • Only 1x wagering on bonus bet winnings
    • Bettors can place multiple bets to qualify for free bet offer
    • Pre-match and live betting, with lots of different sports on offer
    • Wide range of payment options for UK customers
    cons icon Cons:
    • Max winning cap of £200 applies to free bet
    • Only one welcome bonus across all ProgressPlay-powered sportsbooks
    • Only seven days to use free bet and complete wagering requirements
    • Skrill excluded
How We Review

How We Review the Best Online Bookies

Everyone has their own needs and expectations of what the best betting sites will offer, so within our reviews we always make sure we take into account a variety of factors. You’ll find some of our top criteria below.

  1. Licence and Safety

    The first port of call is a valid licence from the UK Gambling Commission. This is a legal requirement to operate in the United Kingdom. It also offers a degree of protection to players as licensed operators must meet standards around fairness and safe gambling. You won’t find any unlicensed bookmakers on Compare.bet, and you should never play at one.
    Checking for appropriate licensing and safety is integral to our review process. The most important thing is staying safe while betting, and wagering at licensed bookies is the only way to start.
  2. Sports, Markets, and Odds

    We want to see a wide range of betting options, including sports, virtual games, esports, and even non-sporting events like politics and TV. Within these broad categories, we love to see features like bet builders or accumulators, as well as in-play betting and early cash-out functionality. Furthermore, odds should be competitive.
    Comparing each bookmaker’s selection of sports and betting markets is fundamental to how we review. We also analyse the odds on specific events to give you a precise overview of each betting site’s odds, helping you choose the best platform for your own personal preferences.
  3. Bonuses and Promotions

    A great range of welcome offers and promotions for existing customers is essential to keep bettors interested. In particular, we favour bookies that reward punters with decent returns from small deposits. Unibet, for example, offers new customers £30 in free bets and a £10 casino bonus once they’ve made their first £10 deposit. Similarly, Coral treats punters to an even lower qualifying deposit, offering £20 in free bets following a first deposit of £5.
    Our favourite sites run promotions to suit players of all tastes, whether it’s on the UK’s favourite sports or less mainstream events like MMA and esports. And once the welcome bonus has dried up, we love to see reload offers, free bet giveaways, or cashback promotions for longer-term value.
  4. Terms and Conditions

    As part of our bonus assessment, we’ll pick through the terms and conditions to give you an accurate picture of a promotion’s true value. Size isn’t everything, after all — and the worth of a bonus can quickly plummet if it comes with restrictive T&Cs. A few things we’ll consider include minimum odds, payment restrictions, time limits, and wagering requirements. You can find a thorough explanation of these terms further down the page.
    Understanding how the terms and conditions can influence your decision is critical. Characteristics such as wagering requirements and valid time periods can seriously affect your betting experience. As a result, exploring these bonus terms is one of our top priorities.
  5. Payment Options

    Our picks for the best UK betting sites work hard to accommodate all punters by offering a range of payment methods. From debit cards and PayPal deposits to Paysafecard and even cryptocurrency, we like to see a wide array of options supported. We’re particularly interested in methods like e-wallets and Trustly, as these often facilitate fast withdrawals.
    Alongside examining the available options, we also investigate deposit and withdrawal limits and any fees attached. Additionally, some payment options like Skrill and NETELLER are often unavailable for deposit bonuses, and we take care to always let you know whether this is the case.
  6. User Experience

    Top betting sites offer thousands of different betting markets to their customers. This is great for a diverse sportsbook, but being able to easily navigate between different sports and markets is paramount. The best bookies throw in additional features including bet trackers, notifications, and the ability to add favourite bets in the interest of saving time. Outstanding sites in this category also offer request-a-bet options, and the opportunity to live stream a variety of events.
    Our expert review team takes great care reviewing platforms to assess the user experience. All the things listed above are necessary for an outstanding bookmaker, and we score highly for ease of use.
  7. Mobile Compatibility

    With so many of our readers opting to play on mobile or tablet, compatibility with handheld devices is a must for any sports betting site worth its salt. A mobile site accessible via the browser is the minimum here, but we love to see sports betting apps. These offer advantages like faster loading times, push notifications, and even exclusive betting bonuses.
    Examining these features is a key part of our review process. We’ll road-test mobile apps where possible to ensure you choose the best software available.
  8. Customer Support

    While your experience at one of our recommended bookmakers should be problem-free, it’s good to know the betting site has your back if things do go wrong. We like to see live chat, preferably offered round the clock, but phone and email support is also beneficial.
    Our review process doesn’t end there either. We also look at customer reviews to ensure our description of the customer support network at any given bookies is as accurate as possible.
Types of Bonuses

Types of Sports Betting Bonuses

Let’s explore the various bonuses you’ll encounter at UK betting sites.

Matched Deposits

The matched deposit bonus, which is also often used by online casinos, is also a popular sportsbook offer. It’s very straightforward in that a bettor makes a deposit and it will be matched (up to a certain amount) by the bookmaker. You might find a bookie that welcomes you with an offer of 100% matched first deposit up to £100, for example, which basically doubles your initial qualifying bet. Sounds great, right? 

There is almost always a wagering requirement attached to a matched deposit bonus, which will need to be cleared before you can bank this money and any winnings made from it. Wagering requirements involve betting the value of the bonus, the qualifying bet, or a combination of the two a set number of times before you claim your winnings. It’s best to remember that full terms and conditions apply when investing in a matched deposit.

Matched deposits are regularly seen at online casinos, but less so at bookmakers. These bonuses see the bookie match your deposit at a certain percentage within an agreed limit to boost your bonus balance. 

Best Matched Deposit Bonus
Bet365
Bet365
Our score: 92%
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets
New Customer Offer New customers only. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org

Matched Bets

Matched bets are largely the same as matched deposits. The only difference here is that the bookmaker will credit new customers with their bonus funds once they’ve placed your first bet, rather than making your first deposit.

One example of a current matched bet comes from Luckster, where players making their first bet of £10 will receive another £10 to wager on the site – no wagering requirements attached. 

Free Bets

This is probably the most popular betting bonus on the market – you’ll find a free bet offer at almost every top bookie. It’s nice and simple – all you need to do is place a qualifying bet at (or above) the minimum stake amount and at odds greater than a specified amount. For example, you may be offered the chance to bet £10 and get a £10 free bet.

One clear benefit of a free bet to new customers is that it gives you a lot more flexibility with your initial bet. If the first bet doesn’t land a winner, you’ll can still make a free bet stake later down the line. 

We like BetTarget’s current free bet welcome offer of bet £15, get a £10 free bet. This comes with no wagering requirements but must be used on minimum odds of 2/1. 

We’re also fans of the welcome offer from STS Bet: £30 in free bets when punters deposit and play £10. This promotion will be delivered as three separate £10 free bets, and again there are no wagering requirements on any winnings.

Best Free Bet Bonus
BetUK
BetUK
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
New Customer Offer T&Cs apply. New customers, Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. Stake not returned. Opt-in required. 18+ BeGambleAware.org. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org

Risk-Free Bets

As the name suggests, this is the safest bet you can get. If you don’t land a winner, you get your stake back! There is a small catch with this type of free bet offer – the maximum amount refunded is usually capped. Plus, the returned stake is usually in token form, so it’s non-withdrawable. That aside, this is still a decent offer that allows new customers to bet with a little more confidence knowing that at the very least, they’ll have their stake returned as a free bet.

Best Cashback Bonus
Paddy Power Sport
Paddy Power Sport
Our score: 91%
£20 Cashback
New Customer Offer New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any market at odds of min 2.0 (EVS) and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using cards will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org

Money Back Bet

As a welcome bonus for new customers, a money back bet works pretty much exactly like a risk-free bet. If your first bet is a bust, you’ll get your stake back — occasionally as cash but more likely as free bet tokens or sportsbook bonus funds. Unibet’s current sign-up offer is a good example of a money back bonus you can get as a new punter. Here, the money back offer is a bit more flexible than on other sites, allowing you to get between £1 and £40 back if you back a dud with your first bet. You’ll get your money back as bonus funds, which you’ll need to wager 3x before you can convert any winnings into cash. 

Money back offers are often available to existing customers too, with one of the best-known examples served up by the Bore Draw Money Back promotion at Bet365. To participate in the offer, which is available on all football matches, you must place a pre-match Scorecast, Correct Score, or Half Time/Full Time bet. If the match ends up 0–0 and your bet loses, Bet365 will refund your stake. What’s more, if you place your bet with cash rather than with a free bet or bonus funds, you’ll get your bet refund back as cash too. 

Casino Bonuses 

Casino bonuses are regularly available at the best betting sites alongside sports betting bonuses. Sites such as Unibet, William Hill, and BetUK offer all the classic casino bonuses, from matched deposits to free spins on classic slots. A popular option is available at STS, which currently offers 100% up to £100 matched deposits for new casino players in tandem with its bet £10 get £30 in free bets bonus offer at its sportsbook. 

No Deposit Bonuses

No deposit bonuses do exactly what it says on the tin – new customers can claim a betting bonus without making a deposit. While you’ll usually find this kind of offer at online casino sites, there are a few bookmakers that are now giving punters the chance to get in on the fun too. All in all, this is a great option for punters who essentially want to try before they buy.

Promos

Other Sports Betting Promotions

The best online bookmakers offer a great selection of frequent promotions for new and existing UK customers. Whereas bonus offers are designed to attract new customers, promotions reward returning customers. Let’s take a look at some of the more common promotions available at UK betting sites.

Frequent Price Boosts

Price boosts see bookies offer improved odds on particular markets. These promotions are  often applied to high-profile sporting events, such as a marquee Champions League fixture. Some bookies also offer price boosts on certain outcomes as part of an accumulator bet. These are often referred to as ‘enhanced accas’.  

Example: For example, Bet365 currently offer a bet boost for selected runners on all UK and Ireland horse races, plus with certain markets in other sports. 

Acca Insurance

Acca insurance is when you receive your stake back when your accumulator loses by one leg. These promotions are a great option if you’re uncertain about one of your selections, or just want a safety net. This bonus will often only be applied to selections above a certain threshold, such as 5 legs or more, and your stake will most likely be returned as a free bet. 

Example: If you were to bet on five Premier League results this weekend, and four out of five came through, with Unibet’s acca insurance you would get your stake back as a free bet. 

Accumulator Bonus 

This fairly simple betting site offer can drastically improve the value of your accumulator. With an accumulator bonus, bookmakers reward you for adding more bets to your football accumulator.

Example: Bet365 gives bettors a 5% bonus on a treble acca that can be boosted to a whopping 90% bonus for a 13-fold.

Request a Bet

Request a bet promotions allow you to request odds for a market that isn’t on offer at your chosen betting site.  Many bookies allow you to get in touch on Twitter, or even create your bet request on the betting site or app.  

Example: At Betfair, you simply need to tweet your requested bet with the hashtag #oddsonthat and a member of the team will quickly get back to you.

Bet Builder

Like Request a Bet, Bet Builders allow you to create bespoke bets with unique betting odds. However, they aren’t made up of markets otherwise unavailable from a bookie. Instead, Bet Builder bets are multiples — the key difference from regular accas being that they’re put together with bets on the same match or game, rather than with bets on different events. 

Example: Using the HeySpin Bet Builder, you can create custom wagers and hopefully winning match multiples on many sports including football, cricket, ice hockey, rugby and baseball.

Free Bet Clubs 

Free bet clubs reward frequent bettors with a free bet on a weekly basis, providing they have placed a certain number of qualifying wagers in the week. Just like any free bet, these will come with other terms and conditions, so make sure you read the fine print before you sign up.

Example: PaddyPower’s Rewards club offers players a free bet of £10 if they place a minimum bet of £5 or more.

How to Choose a Top Betting Bonus

Our reviews make it easy to find and claim the best betting bonuses — just follow these steps!

STEP 1
UKGC Licence
All our recommended sites are fully licensed by the UKGC so you're protected.
Checking for UK Gambling Commission regulation is the first step to enjoying a legitimate betting bonus. Make sure you don’t skip this step, especially with operators offering particularly generous promos.
STEP 2
Compare Bonuses
Our team have found the best bonuses around and made it easy to pick.
Compare each listed bonus and focus on your personal betting preferences to choose the most tailored option.
STEP 3
Check T&Cs
Check any wagering requirements, time limits, or betting restrictions to be sure the bonus suits your needs.
Avoid restrictive wagering requirements, time periods, or betting markets, as these can stop you from enjoying the bonus to its full extent.
STEP 4
Deposit, Claim & Play!
Click through, sign up, and make your deposit. Once you've claimed your bonus, you're ready to go.
Beware of promotions that aren’t eligible with Skrill and NETELLER here. This can cause a nasty surprise when you make a deposit. Bonus Terms and Conditions
Bonus Terms and Conditions

Bonus Terms and Conditions

A betting bonus will often come with a variety of terms and conditions that will affect how you play. It’s, therefore, very important that new customers check the small print to see what T&Cs apply bonus and how they can be met. Let’s have a look at the bonus T&Cs you are most likely to come across.

Wagering Requirements 

Wagering requirements are one of the most common conditions attached to betting bonuses and they can have a big effect on how you play. They stipulate that before you can claim your winnings from a bonus, you have to first wager the value of your qualifying bet, your bonus amount, or a combination of the two, a set number of times. 

A great example of wagering requirements in action is RubyBet’s deposit £10 get a free £10 bet. RubyBet state that before you can claim either your bonus winnings or funds, you have to first wager the value of the free bet 10x. This means that you have to wager a minimum of £100 before you can convert your winnings into real money. 

Wagering Requirements
x5 x20 x35 x50
BONUS FUNDS £5 £25 £100 £175 £250
£10 £50 £200 £350 £500
£25 £100 £500 £875 £1,250
£50 £250 £1,000 £1,750 £2,500
£100 £500 £2,000 £3,500 £5,000
£250 £1,000 £5,000 £8,750 £12,500

Minimum Odds 

A condition you will often see attached to your bonus are minimum odds. These mean that there are only certain bets you can make in order to fulfil the requirements. These minimum odds will often be low, usually between 1/1 and 1/3, so it shouldn’t be too hard for new customers to fulfil the betting requirements. 

Minimum Deposit 

With bonuses like matched deposits and matched bets there is often a minimum amount you have to first deposit in order to claim the bonus. Mansion Bet’s 100% matched deposit up to £100, for example, requires you to place a minimum deposit of £10 in order to claim this exciting welcome bonus. 

Maximum Winnings 

There will usually be a max limit on how much you can win from a bonus or free bet. The maximum win amount is put in place to protect the bonuses from being abused. Online bookmakers use their promotions to attract new players and reward existing players, but if their customers regularly win big using their bonuses then sportsbook would lose a lot of money.

Time Limits 

Once new customers have claimed their bonus and worked out how to use it, they will often then have to meet the requirements in a set time. If they haven’t wagered the required amount of times or bet against the specified odds, then the bonus will expire and any winnings will be lost. The standard timeframe for bookmakers tends to be 14 days, but this can differ from site to site. Some bookies are pretty generous, with some offering new customers up to 90 days to clear their wagering before claiming. Others are less generous, however, with RubyBet only allowing their players 7 days.

Payment Exclusions

Something to look out for before accepting a bonus at the best betting sites: there may be payment method exclusions to consider. e-Wallets are generally the affected method here, such as PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller. While you can still make a deposit with these payment methods if a payment exclusion is in place, you won’t be eligible for the bonus. The reasons for this are twofold: first that vendors are charged fees by these services, costing the betting site when they honour bonuses, and e-wallets are also less robust when it comes to KYC checks. This latter point opens the betting site up to potential bonus abuse.

Market Restrictions

Be aware that many of the best bonus offers at the bookies will be restricted to certain betting markets. For example, Unibet allows you to choose from a number of welcome offers based on your preferred betting market. If you’re a football fan, you can choose their ‘Bet £10 on Football, get £30 Football Free Bets’, or if you prefer to bet on the races, you can choose their equivalent offer for horse racing, greyhound racing and trotting events.

Additionally, all bookmakers place odds restrictions on qualifying bets. Generally speaking, most platforms require punters to use free bets and other online betting bonuses to minimum odds of 1/1. This can change depending on the platform, but there’ll always be some kind of restriction in place. Check the terms and conditions to avoid any surprises. 

Mobile Bonuses

Mobile Bonuses 

One of the great things about betting bonuses is that new customers can claim them on their mobile as easily as they can on their desktop. Mobile betting has improved enormously in recent years with fully-optimised mobile sites and industry-leading apps offering customers a top-quality betting experience from wherever they are in the world. Punters can keep up-to-date with the site’s best new bonuses and odds through push notifications and can even claim mobile exclusive promotions in some cases.

But why choose a bonus via mobile betting as opposed to desktop? Well, for us, it adds more versatility, a more personalised experience, plus you can check scores, the latest odds, and promotions while out and about in your daily life.

Pros and Cons of Mobile Bonuses

As you can see there are many benefits to mobile betting bonuses, so let’s highlight the pros and cons for a more balanced understanding. 

pros-icon

Pros

  • It’s a great way to bet while you watch a game – allowing you to keep an eye out for in-play betting bonuses and updated odds;
  • Mobile betting bonuses are convenient and mean you aren’t tied to a desktop for your betting requirements;
  • A number of the best online betting bonuses require users to use their free spins or bonus funds in a very short period of time – sometimes daily – and being able to play on the go means you’re less likely to let your bonuses expire;
  • None of the memory space on your device is taken up, as opposed to if you download a betting bonus app.
const-icon

Cons

  • For some, the easy access can lead to or exacerbate unhealthy gambling habits;
  • As opposed to an app, a mobile betting bonus site isn't designed specifically to your device.

Pros and Cons of Using a Mobile App

Taking it a step further, many sites offering the best best betting bonuses also have a native app that’s available to download to your mobile device. But what are the pros and cons of a mobile app? Let’s take a look. 

pros-icon

Pros

  • Downloadable apps are available via mobile and can offer a fully personalised, easily accessible betting facility;
  • Depending on the casino, an app can provide an improved playing experience, with sleeker interfaces and quicker loading times;
  • Apps will offer optimised content, and often personalised notifications based on your betting habits;
  • Some apps offer unique online betting bonuses that you can’t get via desktop;
  • Notifications can alert you to brand new offers and promotions.
const-icon

Cons

  • Some apps offer a reduced game selection;
  • If you download an app, it will take up space in your phone’s memory;
  • A mobile app is far more convenient than mobile-optimised sites, which can present further problems for those with dangerous gambling habits;

Best Mobile Apps

Bet Storm
Bet £10, Get £30 with Code 'Bet30'
Our score: 71%
HeySpin
Bet £15 Get £10
Our score: 79%
Unibet
Money Back As a Bonus Up To £40 + £10 Casino Bonus
Our score: 85%
Bwin
Sign up to get your £20 Backup Bet
Our score: 82%
Parimatch
Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets
Our score: 92%
Bzeebet
Bet £10 Get £10
Grosvenor
Double the odds
Our score: 82%
10bet
50% up to £50
Our score: 87%
Paddy Power Sport
£20 Cashback
Our score: 91%
BetUK
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
Payment Options

Betting Bonus Payment Options

There are a lot of different banking methods you can use to claim a betting promotion these days. Each option provides something different to players, so let’s have a quick look at the key options available to you. 

How to deposit with PayPal
Debit Cards

If you have a bank account, then you will be well aware of how to make payments using your debit card. Deposits are by and large instant, with minimum amounts sitting between £5 and £20, depending on which site you choose to play with. Withdrawals can take a little longer, however, sitting between one and five working days. If you bank with Visa, however, you will have access to the Visa Fast Funds service — at participating betting sites — which offers payouts in as little as four hours.

Paypal casino logo
PayPal

PayPal is the world’s most renowned e-wallet service, offering users a first-rate platform since the late 1990s. It facilitates instant deposits and can often grant payouts within 24 hours. Additionally, punters benefit from a critically acclaimed security network and extra features like the Buyer Protection scheme.

NETELLER

Another e-wallet rapidly gaining popularity, NETELLER is part of the Paysafe Group alongside Skrill. It offers betting enthusiasts a lightning-fast deposit method and can facilitate payouts within less than 24 hours at bookmakers with fast processing speeds. One of the main advantages of using NETELLER is the added security, with no need to share sensitive banking information online.

Skrill

Skrill has all the same benefits as its sister e-wallet NETELLER. Customers can use the powerful mobile app to manage funds, which is especially useful in a sports betting context. It also has powerful security features, including face ID, data encryption, and advanced fraud protection. You only need a username and password to deposit and withdraw using Skrill, but be aware you may encounter some small fees between your bank and the e-wallet. Additionally, the payment method is blocked for many deposit bonuses.

ecoPayz

ecoPayz is one of the newer UK betting payment methods, steadily gaining plaudits for its exciting amalgamation of an e-wallet and prepaid card platform. It grants rapid transaction speeds and the added security associated with only needing your login details to make payments, rather than card details or other financial information. The only drawback is the small fees when withdrawing money from your ecoPayz balance to your bank account.

Prepaid Cards

Paysafecard is the eminent prepaid card available to use at online betting sites. Paysafecards can be bought in one of several set values at physical stores such as your local newsagent. You then enter use the unique PIN on the side of the card to deposit your funds at your chosen betting site, and you’re ready to place some bets. You can’t make withdrawals using them, however.

Trustly

Trustly is an Open Banking provider that facilitates fast and secure transactions from your online bank account, and can usually be used to qualify for betting bonuses. Trustly offers quick withdrawals and doesn’t require users to enter any of their bank details, or be redirected to their external banking app, which explains why its popularity is growing in the online gambling market. If you’re after a more efficient way of paying to and from your bank account, Trustly might be just what you’re looking for.

Pay by Mobile

Pay by Mobile providers like Boku and Payforit allow you to charge deposits to your phone bill or deduct them from your PAYG balance. They’re very secure, with confirmation coming via a one-time pin code (OTP). However, you can’t withdraw to this method, deposits are limited to £30 a day, and there may be some fees charged by your bookie.

AstroPay

A digital prepaid card and e-wallet platform rolled into one, AstroPay is fast and easy to use. It’s completely safe too, as you’ll need to enter a code, sent via text or WhatsApp to your mobile device, to confirm each betting site deposit you make. Withdrawals are possible and are usually processed in around three days. Better still is that, in June 2022, the AstroPay Visa debit card arrived, which will prove ideal for claiming bonuses if e-wallets aren’t eligible.

Sport Specific Promotions

Event-Based Bonuses and Promotions

Betting sites will offer a range of different bonuses depending on each sport. From faller insurance for horse racing, to price boosts during football matches, to specific tennis tournament bonuses, there is a lot on offer. Let’s have a look at the way bonuses work in different sports. 

Football

Football is the most popular sport in the world, meaning that football betting markets have some of the most exciting bonuses around. Price boosts, for example, are a common bonus found at bookmakers, offering you better odds on a match for a limited time. When once they might have been reserved for the most high profile matches, they are now a regular occurrence with Sky Bet’s Soccer Saturday Price Boost taking place each week of the football season.

  • Bet Storm runs a competitive football leaderboard where the top five contestants score a £10 free bet. Simply deposit £10 using the VAR bonus code to enter. 

Horse Racing 

The unpredictability of horse racing is what makes the sport such a popular betting market, but it also means there’s a chance your horse may not even finish the race. That’s why you’ll often see bookmakers offering bonuses and promotions that safeguard against the eventuality of your bet falling through. Mansion Bet’s ‘Beaten by a Head or Less’ is a perfect example of this, offering £25 as a free bet if your horse loses by a marginal amount. This is a great bonus to use on highly-contested races such as the Grand National and the Cheltenham Festival

  • 32Red is one bookmaker with a horse racing bonus that offers daily price boosts on select horses.

Tennis 

Unlike football or rugby, tennis is mostly played as part of knock-out tournaments rather than in league. As such, you will often get free bets and bonuses attached to specific tournaments like Wimbledon, the French Open and the Australian Open. You should expect to see bookmakers offer new customers all sorts of promotions over the course of these tournaments, especially when the heavyweights of the game face off against each other in the latter rounds.

  • One offer you’ll find at Tebwin is 10% cashback on lost bets placed on tennis, up to a maximum of £500.

 

American Football

The NFL is typically the main event if you like to place a bet or two on American Football, and along with the sport comes a great range of betting bonuses and promotions. Across the board, you will find matched deposits, free bets, and risk-free bets where the punter receives a small return on a bet even if it loses. However, if you’re feeling inspired during a game, then you might like to make an in-play bet. Quinnbet is currently offering a free in-play bet up to £5 which covers college football, the NFL, NBA or college basketball leagues. Maximum qualifying bet of £10 plus other T&Cs apply.

You may also be interested in early payout bonuses that are regularly offered for the Super Bowl and mean you can cash out if your team takes the lead by a certain number of points. It’s important to see what’s available to you on your chosen sport, so look through the best betting sites such as Slots n Sports and BetUK to see what they offer.

  • Among its large number of bookmaker offers, Luckster includes a Combo Boost that offers up to 77% extra winnings on combo bets on NFL and a whole host of other sports.

 

Golf

With top golfing tournaments held throughout the year, the best betting bonus sites are ready and prepared with a great range of offers available to new and existing customers. Free bets, matched deposits, as well as ongoing promotions, such as reloads and cashbacks are up for grabs at the best betting sites. At the moment there are a lot of free bets to be had — such as with Bet365 which is offering £50 of free bets when you place a £10 bet. 

  • If you’re looking for golf betting bonuses, QuinnBet is a good spot. Here, you’ll find enhanced extra places for PGA and European Tour tournaments, and a bet refund up to £10 if your outright winner selection places second or third. 

Basketball

If basketball is your sport of choice, then be sure to look further afield than the NBA for some great betting bonuses. At the time of writing, Bet365 is offering up to 70% on men’s European basketball accumulators, applying to the Euroleague, Eurocup, Spain’s Liga ACB, Italy’s Lega 1, and the German Bundesliga. 

However, the NBA is of course where most bookies aim their attention, with the likes of bet builders and many a free bet bonus available on its markets. As ever, you will find great welcome bonuses such as matched deposits along with existing customer promotions such as cashback and reload bonuses at the best betting bonus sites. 

  • At Bet Storm, for example, players can get 10% cashback up to £500 on losing NBA bets between 17–19 February.

F1

F1 2021 was arguably the greatest season in Formula 1 history, going right down to the wire between Max Verstapen and Lewis Hamilton. Going into the now-notorious final Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, William Hill offered boosted odds of 30/1 for Hamilton to be crowned champion, and a staggering 40/1 for the eventual winner, Verstapen. 

It was a season that attracted many fans – and sports bettors – to F1, and though Verstapen has already retained his crown, you can bet on the winners of the remaining Grand Prix races, or look ahead to F1 2023, where Hamilton will no doubt be looking for revenge. In either case, the bookies will offer you a number of bonuses and promotions as the current season draws to close, and plenty more once the next season gets underway in March 2023.

  • Slots N Sports (and other ProgressPlay platforms) offer up to £500 cashback on losing Formula 1 bets. 

Best Betting Bonuses

Betting Site Sports iOS App Android App Play
HeySpin
HeySpin
45 No No Play now
Bet Storm
Bet Storm
39 No No Play now
10bet
10bet
32 Yes Yes Play now
32Red
32Red
33 Yes Yes Play now
Luckster Sport
Luckster Sport
41 No No Play now
Luckland Sports
Luckland Sports
38 Yes Yes Play now
All British Sports
All British Sports
32 No No Play now
Bwin
Bwin
38 Yes Yes Play now
Tebwin
Tebwin
39 No No Play now
BetGoodwin
BetGoodwin
30 Yes Yes Play now
How to Claim

How to Claim a Bonus at the Best Betting Sites

Once you’ve checked through the best betting sites, and chosen your preferred site and bonus, it’s a very simple process to register and start playing. Follow these steps and away you go!

  1. It’s really important to compare all of the best betting sites before making your decision, and this can be done by browsing the tables and reading through our reviews on CompareBet. Checking for your preferred games or betting markets is an important decider, as is the betting format, bonuses available and ease of use; 
  2. Click through from the table above or the site in question’s review page and follow the registration process – it’s a simple process, adding in details and confirming your identity via KYC checks;
  3. Once registered with your new account, you can make a deposit and claim your first bonus. Be sure to check that the bets you’re looking to make, and the payment methods you’d like to use, are eligible for the bonus;
  4. Now you’re all set to place that first bet. Remember to always stay within your budget, never chase your losses, and always do a bit of research before betting. 
Bonus Types

Betting Bonus Types

Along with the complexities of each sport comes a wide range of betting options available to punters at the best betting bonus sites. There will be many crossovers, and betting bonus types that are more frequently seen than others, so let’s take a look at the most common ones you’ll likely find. 

Straight Bets 

A straight bet involves making a single bet on one particular outcome – they are used in games where a points spread is used. Let’s look at an example to make it a little clearer::

  • Los Angeles Rams 52
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers -10

What this tells you is that the predicted score will total 52, with the Buccaneers winning by 10 clear points. The 10 representing the “spread” of the game, or the total points and the margin of victory.

You will find straight bets available for many team sports, such as football, American football, and anything with variable scorelines. 

Over/Under

An over/under bet is when you place a bet on whether an outcome will go over or under a particular number specified by the bookies.  What’s great about an over/under is that it’s really versatile and can be applied to so many different sporting events and situations, even down to the number of red or yellow cards a team, or a particular person, will receive. If the concluding result is exactly as the bookies has predicted, then all bets are refunded; this is called a push bet. 

Accumulators

Hugely popular with football betting, the accumulator, or acca, allows a punter to combine a number of single bets, from multiple games, under one wager. There’s huge potential with an acca, depending of course on the level of risk and the number of bets you add into the mix. To win, you have to correctly guess all parts of your acca. If even one leg fails, then it’s a loss. Some of the best betting sites will add in a stipulation that allows you to win even if one bet is lost, and many more offer acca insurance that refunds your bet in the event that you only lose out by one leg.

In-Play Bets

Also known as live betting, in-play bets are placed while the match, or race, is taking place. For example, you may be in the middle of watching Manchester City take on Leeds when you decide you’d like to place an outside wager on Leeds winning 2-0. This in-play betting can add real excitement to your viewing experience, and of course potentially lead to some returns if you’ve gauged the flow of play correctly. The best betting bonus sites will have a corresponding mobile betting app that makes it really easy for you to place that in-play wager without missing any of the game. Since the match data is updated in real time, you’ll find fair odds to bet against. However, because each betting site is different, it’s worth doing a bit of research on the best odds before placing a bet.

Cash Out

Cash Out Explained 

An extra perk available at top online bookies like Coral and William Hill, and the perfect companion for in-play betting, a cash out feature gives you the option to collect some winnings or cut your losses while a sporting event is still underway. So, if your bet is going well — perhaps five out of your six acca picks have already come in — and you want to secure a profit, cash out is the way to do it. On the flip side, if an event is not going how you envisaged, and your bet is looking like a bust, you can claw some of your stake back by cashing out your bet early. If you can’t decide whether to take your money or take your chances, some bookies offer a partial cash out feature that’s the perfect solution. Here, you can cash out part of your bet and leave the remainder to run to its natural conclusion. Locking in profits on your wagers, no matter the outcome of the event? If it sounds like a great deal, you’d be right. However, it pays to keep in mind that not all bets are eligible for cash out. For example, you can’t usually cash out bets if you’ve used a price boost or a free bet token.

Claim a Bonus

Get Started with a Betting Bonus

There are many different betting offers available to punters, from welcome offers to existing player promotions. Now that you’ve got to grips with the basic features of each major type, how to claim them and the various terms and conditions that affect them, you should be ready to get started. So run through our list of the best betting offers in the UK, find your favourite and sign up.

Responsible Gambling

Bet Responsibly with Your Betting Bonuses 

Bonuses like free bets and money back offers can be a good way to bet on your favourite sports teams without spending too much of your own cash. However, here at Compare.bet, our safer gambling advocates recommend treating even the best betting site bonuses exactly as you would your own money. This way, you’ll maintain those good gambling habits that help keep you safe and avoid getting sucked into betting more than you intended. Below, you’ll find some more top tips to help you avoid problematic gambling, along with details of some of the organisations that can offer help and support if things have already taken a turn for the worse. 

Top Tips for Responsible Betting 

Here are some of our top tips to help you gamble responsibly online:

  • Set and stick to spending and time limits for gambling.
  • Take regular breaks from gambling to enjoy other activities.
  • Choose bookmakers with safe gambling tools, and put those tools to good use.
  • Stick to betting on familiar sports and markets.
  • Accept your losses the same way you do your wins, and never chase a bad bet.
  • Think of gambling as an entertaining hobby, not as a guaranteed income.

Problem Gambling Organisations 

Here are the details of some of the organisations supporting problem gamblers in the UK:

FAQs

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do I need to deposit or bet in order to get the biggest free bet bonus?

That depends entirely on the bonus you’re trying to claim. Some bonuses only offer a set amount, like a £10 free bet, so as long as you place the stated minimum qualifying bet you will be able to claim the bonus. Bonuses like matched deposits, however, will increase in value the more you deposit, but this is limited to a certain amount. New customers may be offered a 100% matched deposit, for example, but the amount claimable from it will be capped at £100. As such, depositing more than £100 wouldn’t increase the size of your bonus.

Will I have to place additional bets before I can withdraw my free bet winnings?

If that free bet has wagering requirements attached to it then yes, you will have to place more bets to meet them before claiming your winnings. A bookmaker’s wagering requirements will not be as high as those of a casino bonus, but you will still need to wager a set amount of money in a certain time period to claim your winnings.

Can I withdraw my bonus winnings before meeting the wagering requirements?

No, these bonus winnings aren’t made available in your main cash balance until the wagering requirement has been met, so you won’t be able to make any withdrawals.

Will I need a bonus code to claim my welcome bonus?

While several bookmakers require punters to enter bonus codes when depositing or signing up to become eligible for a specific welcome bonus, this is not necessary in instances where the use of a bonus code is not mentioned beforehand

Can I claim betting bonuses using a mobile device?

Yes, all of the bookmakers you’ll find here offer a mobile-friendly version of their site, and some have mobile betting apps. This means you can claim a sports betting bonus even when you’re on the go. Simply follow our links, as you would on a desktop site, to register an account and become eligible for an exclusive welcome bonus. 

Can I claim a welcome bonus more than once?

No ‒ you can’t claim a welcome bonus more than once on the same betting site. However, some customers sign up for accounts with multiple bookies and claim welcome bonuses from each. That said, you may be prevented from claiming multiple bonuses at sites that run on the same betting platform. This is the case with the ProgressPlay network, for example, which offers a single welcome bonus across all its sites. 

Which is the safest betting site?

All the bookies on Compare.bet have a UK gambling licence. This means they’re overseen by the UK Gambling Commission, and can be relied upon to do business in a fair and secure way. To ramp up your online safety further, be sure to use secure passwords for betting accounts, and set up two-factor authentication in apps when possible. 

What’s the best betting bonus?

There’s no definitive answer to this, instead the best bonus is the one which gives you the best chance of earning withdrawable winnings. If you are a single selection punter, for example, then the risk-free bet is a solid choice, but if you’re likely to place a range of accumulators then a matched deposit bonus offer might suit you better. One thing we are certain of, however, is that you’ll find the perfect bonus for you right here at Compare.bet.

What is a betting bonus?

A betting bonus is an offer or promotion given to users at online betting sites, usually in the form of a matched deposit, free bet, cashback, or bet insurance. Betting bonuses are available at most betting sites when new users sign up and make a qualifying deposit, and you can expect a betting site to offer further promotions once you’re settled in. These may include: weekly jackpots, event-specific offers, VIP rewards, and more.

Which betting offer gives the highest bonus?

At the time of writing, Tonybet has the highest bonus offer at Compare.bet with 100% up to £50. This means that Tonybet will double your first deposit up to £50, given you a potential kitty of £100. Please note that this bonus comes with a 10x wagering requirement, with bets to be placed on odds of at least 1.65. The bonus must also be used, and the wagering requirements fulfilled, within 30 days. Purely looking at bonuses, we don’t recommend offers with such requirements over sites offering free bets. The likes of HeySpin Sport’s free bets offers don’t come with wagering requirements, meaning anything you win with the bonus is yours to withdraw immediately. Always check the terms and conditions to make sure this is the case before claiming.

How can I redeem a betting bonus?

Most betting bonuses are redeemed by making a qualifying deposit or by making a bet with a minimum stake. For example, to claim HeySpin Sport’s £10 in free bets, you must place a bet of £15. The free bets are then added to your account and can be used whenever you like. This differs from site to site, however, with sites like Tonybet requiring you to enter a promo code (TONY50) during the sign up process to claim the matched deposit offer. Check the terms and conditions of each offer before signing up to make sure you know what’s required, or whether certain payment providers are excluded from bonus eligibility.

Is a bonus bet real money?

Bonus bets can’t be withdrawn as real money. However, while it varies from site to site, you can expect any winnings from a bonus bet to be withdrawable as cash.

Can you withdraw a betting bonus?

You can’t withdraw bonus cash or the value of a free bet as real money. However, you can withdraw any winnings from a betting bonus provided you have fulfilled the bonus’s wagering requirements stipulated in the terms and conditions. Generally speaking, free bets are not subject to wagering requirements, but you should always check the T&Cs to make sure.

References

See our references & visit related external links

Please note that Compare.bet is not responsible for the content of third-party websites.

  1. ncsc.gov.uk – ‘Setting up two-factor authentication (2FA)’

The people behind this page

Compare.bet's online gambling content experts helped write, edit and check this page:

Daniel is Head of Operations at Compare.bet. He has half a decade of experience writing on topics including sports betting, online casino and the NBA. Daniel also covers Premier League football for Compare.bet news and has interviewed Louis Saha, Richard Dunne and Gary Pallister. In his spare time, Daniel enjoys film photography and making Spotify playlists.
Gavin is a writer for Compare.bet, contributing to our expert online reviews. Gavin has over two years of experience writing about topics including online casino and sports betting.
Alice is an Editor at Compare.bet, having joined the company from Gambling Insider in 2022. She's a dab hand at all things online gambling, from expertise in payment methods to her commitment to responsible gambling promotion. Outside of work, Alice is a huge sports fan who closely follows Arsenal and plays lacrosse in her spare time, to name just a couple of her sporting pursuits.
Robbie joined us in 2022 as a staff writer. He's involved in all content across the site, from detailed guides and reviews to responsible gambling advice, and puts his detailed sports knowledge to good use across our betting pages. Outside work Robbie plays football most weekends, tempers his resilience as a West Ham fan, and keeps up to date with the latest cinema releases.

The following external expert(s) contributed to ensure this page provides maximum value, accuracy and insight: