If you’re searching for the best free bet offers, then you’ve come to the right place. It might sound too good to be true, but this betting bonus really does give you the chance to make wagers without using your own bankroll. Household names and new betting sites alike offer this bonus deal, and we’ve highlighted the very best in our top-rated list of online sportsbooks, where you can easily compare the key terms of each deal. We’ve also written expert sportsbook reviews, covering everything from betting markets to payment methods, to help you find the best betting site for you. Simply check out our list of the best betting sites with free bet offers to get started.
Want to learn more about free bets, including how they work and how exactly you can your hands on one? Whether you want to use free bets to wager on football, horse racing or any other sport, we’ve got you covered. Read on for all you need to know about free bet bonuses.
Choose from a range of different free bet bonuses
Every free bet offer does more or less the same thing – award you bonus betting funds to use on a range of markets – but how you claim and use them varies depending on the bonus type. From matched bet deals and promotional free bet tokens to loyalty rewards, there’s plenty of opportunities to get your hand of a free punt. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular free bets bonuses to help you pick out the best offer for you.
Free bet welcome bonus
Most of the UK’s best betting sites offer free bet welcome bonuses to new punters when they sign up. This is a great way to get settled in at a new bookie and enjoy a bonus bet. Free bet welcome bonuses come in different forms – here’s the types of deals on offer.
First bet bonus
Most free bet welcome deals reward free bets when you make your first real money wager, provided it meets the qualifying requirements. Some top online bookies offer matched bet offers, such as ‘bet £10 get a £10 free bet’, while other betting sites offer deals like ‘bet £5 get £20 in free bets’. The way in which you can use your free bet bonus varies depending on the offer – some sites may award a set £20 bet, while others will award four £5 free bets.
Most top bookmakers allow you to use your free bets on a wide range of sports, including football, horse racing and boxing.
Money back free bet
This free bet welcome bonus see betting sites offer players a free bet if their first bet doesn’t come in. Think of this betting offer as a consolation prize should your first bet lose. The free bet may be equal to your stake, but only up to a certain amount – “free bet up to £40 on your first losing bet”, for example. This is a great way to enjoy a punt on a bet with long odds and go for some sizeable winnings as you’ll have an insurance if your wager doesn’t come in, thanks to the free bet offer.
Some money back free bet promotions may only return a portion of your stake.
No deposit free bet
Arguably the most attractive offer on the market, a no deposit free bet does what it says on the tin – you get a bet at the expense of the bookie without even making a deposit. While this is a great opportunity to essentially try before you buy, don’t expect the bookies to break the bank here – no deposit free bets are rarely worth more than £10, and they may come with more strict terms and conditions. Unfortunately, this deal is as enticing as it is rare. While they do pop up now and again, bookies offering no deposit free bets online are few and far between.
Enjoy regular free bets thanks to sportsbook promotions
Free bets are a great way of attracting new customers, but many of our handpicked top bookies offer the best free bets promotions to keep existing players coming back too. While some sportsbooks reward players with free bets when they put money on certain markets, others offer event-based promotions. These are some of the types of free bet promotions you can expect from sports betting sites.
Loyalty reward free bet
Many of the best online gambling sites reward frequent bettors with some sort of VIP or loyalty scheme. These generally work on a points system, whereby you accumulate points by making bets. Loyalty schemes often have different levels, and you can work your way up the levels by collecting more points. You can then exchange your points for bonuses and rewards like free bets, and the higher the level, the better the prizes.
Free Bets vs Matched Deposits
How free bet bonuses differ to matched deposit deals
At first glance free bets and matched deposit deals can seem fairly similar, but there are some important differences to keep in mind. The first difference is how you claim them; free bets offers require you to make a qualifying bet, whereas matched deposits are awarded when you make your first deposit. Some bookies award free bets based on the size of your initial deposit, but still require you to make a qualifying bet to activate the bonus, whereas matched deposits don’t require a qualifying bet at all.
The two bonuses also differ in how you use them. Whereas free bets bonuses usually award set bet amounts, matched deposits generally award larger sums which you can use with more freedom. For example, a bookie may award a £100 matched deposit funds, which you could use to make ten £10 bets or five £20 bets. This may sound more attractive, but keep in mind that matched deposit deals often come with wagering requirements which make it harder to turn your bonus into withdrawable winnings.
Claim free bets on your smartphone
If, like many punters, you prefer to do your betting on your mobile, you’ll be glad to know that you’ll have access to the same free bet offers as desktop players. This means you can sign up, claim your bonus and wager free bets using your smartphone.
All the top UK betting sites on our list have mobile-friendly websites, and some have even developed mobile sports betting apps for iPhone and Android. If you download a mobile betting app, you’ll have the added benefit of push notifications. These alert you every time a new free bet bonus is available, meaning you’ll never have to worry about missing out on a great deal!
Get to know the all-important free bet terms and conditions
Free bets are great, but there are a few factors to bear in mind before you sign up to claim. The biggest free bet offer isn’t always the best deal, as it’s the terms and conditions that determine how you use your bet and how much you can potentially win. Here’s what you should keep an eye out for when you’re looking for free bets bonuses:
Win limits
Pretty much all free bets offers have win limits that prevent betting sites from making huge losses, which is understandable. The win limits vary from bookie to bookie – some have fairly low limits, while others allow big wins. Make sure to check this beforehand, as it will help you decide which markets to use your free bets on.
Minimum odds
Pretty much all free bets offers have minimum odds requirements that generally apply to the qualifying bet. The minimum odds vary depending on the bonus, but they generally range from 1/2 to 3/4. So if the minimum odds for the qualifying bet are 3/4, you’ll have to wager on a market with those odds in order to qualify for the free bet promotion.
In some instances, you may find that the minimum odds requirement applies to the free bet bonus itself, as well as the qualifying bet.
Wagering requirements
Whereas wagering requirements are a staple of online casino bonuses, they don’t apply to the majority of free bets bonuses. Still, it’s important to keep an eye out just in case – some free bet deals have low wagering requirements, such as 2x or 3x the bonus amount. Let’s take a look at an example of how wagering requirements work:
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You claim a £5 no deposit free bet with a 3x wagering requirement.
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You'll have to wager £15 in total to complete the requirement.
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If you do this without losing your bet, you can then withdraw real money bonus winnings.
Time limits
As with all betting bonuses, free bet offers usually come with time limits. This means you’ll need to use your bonus bets in a specified amount of time before it expires. While some online betting sites will give players just a couple of days to use this bonus, others allow you 30 days to use your free bet offer. If your free bet bonus comes with a wagering requirement attached, you’ll also need to complete the wagering within the allotted timeframe.
Payment method restrictions
The UK’s top betting sites offer a range of secure payment methods, but not all deposits are always eligible for free bets bonus deals. It’s common for online betting sites to exclude deposits made with Neteller and Skrill from free bet offers, so you may need to use alternative banking options. Similarly, if you’re looking for betting sites that accept PayPal deposits, keep in mind that some bookies state that you need to use a different banking method to PayPal PayPal to claim free bet promotions.
Debit cards and credit cards are your best bet when it comes to claiming sportsbook bonuses – these deposit options are universally accepted for free bet offers.
How to claim your free bet bonus
UK’s Best Free Bets Bonuses:
| Betting Site |
Free Bet Size |
Wagering Required? |
Rating |
Licence |
|
|
£30 |
Yes |
9.8 |
UK Gambling Commission |
|
|
£30 |
Yes |
9.7 |
UK Gambling Commission |
|
|
£30 |
Yes |
9.6 |
UK Gambling Commission |
|
|
£100 |
Yes |
9.5 |
UK Gambling Commission |
|
|
£10 |
Yes |
9.3 |
UK Gambling Commission |
|
|
£10 |
Yes |
9.1 |
UK Gambling Commission |
|
|
£10 |
Yes |
8.7 |
UK Gambling Commission |
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Compare sports betting sites
Before you claim a bonus, you’ll need to compare free bet offers to find the right one for you. We’ve made this process nice and easy by bringing you the very best free bet deals from the top sports betting sites, highlighting the terms and conditions to help you understand what you’re signing up for. Don’t forget to use our expert reviews to find out about the betting markets, payment methods and withdrawal times on offer at each bookie.
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Sign up and opt in
Once you’ve found the right sportsbook and bonus for you, it’s time to create your account. Registering at our recommended online betting sites is as simple. All you need to do is follow the link to head straight to the sign up page, then provide some basic personal details to register. You may also need to provide identity documents to verify your account. When creating your betting account, remember to opt in to the free bet offer- it’s usually as simply as ticking a box, but some sites will require a promo code.
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Deposit
Nearly there! It’s time to head to the cashier page to make your first deposit - unless you’ve been lucky enough to bag a no deposit free bet! The betting sites we’ve recommended boast a wide range of secure payment methods, from the traditional bank transfer and bank card payments to PayPal, prepaid cards and pay by phone bill options. Your deposit should be credited to your account almost instantly, so you can start betting right away.
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Claim your free bet
The only thing left to do now is stake your qualifying bet and claim your bonus! Bear in mind the minimum bet and minimum odds requirements to be sure your wager qualifies for the bonus. Your free bet bonus will be credited to your account almost instantly once the qualifying bet is decided- good luck!
Claim your free bet today!
Whether you’re a new customer looking for a top free bet offer, or a returning punter after a freebie, our top list of bookies is sure to give you what you’re looking for. We’ve scoured the internet for the best free bet offers at the most reputable licensed bookies, each with competitive odds, amazing promotions and outstanding market depth on major sports. All that’s left for you to do is compare free bet deals, sign up and claim your free bet today!
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In almost every instance, your free bet stake will not be returned with your winnings. For example, if you place a £5 free bet on a market with even odds (2.0), you will receive £5 in winnings if the bet comes in.
No. There are rules surrounding the use of free bets, which state that you can’t use two free bet tokens on the same wager. For example, if you have four £5 free bets, you’ll usually have to use each one separately. Most bookies usually also state that free bets can not be used in conjunction with other free bet deals or any other bonus betting offers.
Usually, yes. Many of the best betting sites allow free bets to be used on accumulators, though you should always read the small print to be sure. If you plan on wagering your qualifying bet on an accumulator, keep in mind that the minimum odds may apply to each individual selection as well as the bet as a whole.
Yes. You’ll often be able to use free bets on live betting markets, providing they meet the minimum odds restrictions. Of course, you should always double check the small print of betting bonuses just to make sure this is the case.
No, in most cases this is not an option. While each bookie has its own rules surrounding cash out, you can’t usually cash out on wagers made with free bets bonuses. It’s also rare that bookies allow cashed out bets to qualify for free bet offers, so check the terms and conditions before you make your wager.
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