This page has been checked for accuracy by Adam Dickinson. Adam is our resident fact checker and has over five years of experience working in the gambling industry, including roles at PlayOJO, Betway and Entain plc.
Check out the list of bookies with the best free bets in the UK. Compare free bet deals and sites, learn more about this popular offer, and find your ideal free bets betting site. Compare offers, read expert reviews, and click the sign up link for your chosen site!
New Customer Offer 18+. New Customers Only. Max one £20 Free Bet. Qualifying bets at Odds of 1/1(2.00) or greater. Paid as Bonus Token with Min 4/5(180) Odds Req. Skrill, Neteller & Paypal not eligible.BeGambleAware.org. T&Cs Apply 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
New Customer Offer New bettors; Code PLAY10; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+ 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
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
New Customer Offer 18+ New customers only. Opt in, and bet £10 on football markets (odds 2.00+). No cash out. Get 6x£5 football free bets at specified odds for set markets, which expire after 7 days. Offer valid from 12:00 UK Time on 25/08/2023. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
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
New Customer Offer New players only. Min £ 10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet - one-time stake of £ 20, 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
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
New Customer Offer New Players Only. Min £10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet - one-time stake of £10, 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 receipt. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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online bookies
🏆 Best Overall Score:
92%
🎁 Largest Free Bet:
£50
🤝 Highest Deposit Match:
100%
💷 Minimum Deposit:
£5
Best 'Big Brand' Choice
A name you know - thousands of punters trust Ladbrokes
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 get 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.
Review of the Best Free Bet Offers
I was pleased to see Bzeebet pulls no punches when it comes to its free bet offers. New customers benefit from a Bet £20 Get £20 deal to kick things off, but things keep rolling with a weekly free bet offer. To qualify, you have to make £20 of combo bets throughout the week, and you’ll get 2 x £5 free bet tokens in return.
On the whole, I found Bzeebet to be a well-oiled sports betting platform thanks to features like early cash out, a bet builder, and user-friendly site design. It also operates a top-notch online casino if you’re interested in spinning the reels between your sports bets.
Pros:
Bet and Get free bet welcome offer;
Weekly free bets for existing customers;
Fully featured sports betting platform;
Fantastic online casino attached.
Cons:
Larger Bet and Get offers available elsewhere.
On first visit, I thought that the HeySpin site is clear to navigate and provides easy access to both sportsbook and casino betting opportunities. In terms of promotions, there’s a great range to choose from, including a regular free bets offer that provides a £10 free bet on any sport when you first deposit and wager £15. The free bet is eligible for 14 days, which is a plus, as I’ve found that many others expire after only seven days. There are also no wagering requirements attached to your winnings, so you’re not tied to wagering a certain amount before being allowed to withdraw from your account. However, deposit payment options are a little limited with several of the most popular options – PayPal, Neteller, Paysafe, Skrill and Skrill 1-Tap – rendered ineligible.
Pros:
All sports are eligible against your free bet welcome offer
No wagering requirements attached to the free bet offer
Clear in-play betting options
Cons:
No live streaming
Minimum deposit of £15 is quite high for a free bet offer
Limited payment options for deposits
10bet is a UK betting site that regularly offers players some of the most unique free bets around. For example, the sportsbook regularly applies promotions to some of the most noteworthy upcoming football matches. At the time of my review there was a £5 free bet if there are no goals scored in the first half of the Spain/Italy game. On top of these bonuses, I really like the bet calculator that 10bet provides for players to work out their potential winnings. All of this is offered on a website that is intuitively designed and easy to use. I highly recommend it.
Pros:
Regular free bet promotions
Bet calculator
Well designed website
Maximum of two day withdrawal times for debit cards
Cons:
No live streaming
With a fantastic range of markets, many of which can be streamed live, 32Red is a great spot for in-play betting thanks to handy stats and action feeds. At the time of writing, I found this bookmaker fell a little short when it comes to free bets, with the majority of offers focused on its online casino arm. However, I have seen 32Red run offers in the past like Bet and Get deals for new sign-ups and weekly free bets for returning customers. This site does a great job in many other areas, and you’ll get a 100% profit boost on your first bet, so it could still be a solid choice. Just keep your eyes peeled for the next free bet offer!
Pros:
Well-designed sportsbook with plenty of markets;
Live streaming and in-play functionality;
100% profit boost for new customers;
High-quality casino library as well.
Cons:
Limited free bet offers for sports.
I was already familiar with Grosvenor thanks to its brick-and-mortar casino locations, so I was excited to give its sports betting platform a go. The site features a modern appearance and a rather enticing purple theme. Exploring the promotions page, I was pleased to see plenty of free bet offers. A weekly free bet club, acca insurance free bets, and daily scratch-and-win prizes are just a few promos up for grabs.
Pros:
Regular free bets for existing customers;
100% boost on your first bet plus ongoing odds boost offers;
Stream UK and Irish horse racing for free;
Slick site design.
Cons:
No Bet and Get welcome offer.
Bet Storm is a sister site of Tebwin, so you’ll find the same welcome bonus and top navigational features here. Once again, all I had to do to bag a £10 free bet was make a £10 qualifying bet at odds of 1.5 or greater. The free bet is valid for seven days and you’ll then need to wager any winnings once before you can withdraw. Skrill and Neteller deposits are also excluded, so I used a debit card for the qualifying bet and switched to an e-wallet for future payments. One of the best things about Bet Storm is there are opportunities to get additional free bets every Monday, as well as cashbacks on sports like tennis and MMA.
Pros:
Live Multiview is perfect for in-play betting
£10 free bet
Variety of payment options
Great range of promotions
Cons:
1x wagering on the free bet
Skrill and Neteller excluded for welcome bonus
Unibet offers players a hefty free bet from a relatively small outlay, offering £40 as a money back deal on your first bet, if it loses. To be eligible, you need to first deposit £10 which seems like a pretty good welcome offer. As ever, I’d recommend checking through the terms and conditions as this particular promotion includes a rather large 50x wagering requirement if your £40 is used against casino games. Alongside this, I found that members of Unibet also have access to a dedicated stats and live scores page across more than 30 sports, which will help you make a more informed wager. Overall, Unibet is a well laid out site that’s rightfully gained a reputation as the go-to betting site for many sports bettors.
Pros:
Dedicated statistics and livescore page
App for both iOS and Android
Great collection of sports
Live streaming
Cons:
Minimum deposit for PayPal users is £10
QuinnBet is an absolute haven for free bets. I took advantage of the Create a Bet £10 free bet offer, but 50% of your first day’s losses are also refunded as free bets up to £35. I found plenty of free bets for existing customers too — the likes of crossbar and red card insurance free bets for football, 2nd to the favourite in horse racing, plus daily and weekly cashback as free bets to name a few. I was really quite impressed with just how much was on offer here, making it one of my personal favourite bookies for free bets.
Pros:
Vast range of free bets on horse racing, football, and more;
Daily and weekly cashback offered;
Great range of betting markets.
Cons:
Site appearance isn’t the most inspiring.
My first impression of Bwin was just how comprehensive its sportsbook is. Bettors can enjoy markets ranging from football and tennis to chess and water polo. This site doesn’t have a huge amount to offer in terms of free bets aside from the welcome offer. Here, you’ll get your first wager refunded as a free bet up to £20 if it loses. For existing customers, there are ongoing odds boosts available such as enhanced accas and flexible boost tokens.
Pros:
£20 Backup Bet welcome offer;
Regular odds boosts available;
In-depth betting market coverage;
Casino and poker offerings available.
Cons:
Limited free bet offers outside of the welcome bonus.
Tebwin offers new customers a £10 free bet when they sign up and bet £10. While this is a solid enough deal, I’ve seen bigger free bet bonuses elsewhere. Plus, any winnings are subject to a 1x wagering requirement, which isn’t ideal. That said, I’m a big fan of Tebwin’s site design — football sketches and pops of colour complement the neatly arranged sportsbook. Punters can organise the wide range of sport markets using the event view, dashboard, live overview, live multiview, and live calendar. Another plus is Tebwin’s rewards programme, where customers can earn points by betting on certain markets and redeem them for cashbacks and other bonuses.
Pros:
£10 free bet
Quirky site design
Range of dashboard options
Rewards programme
Cons:
1x wagering requirement on the free bet
Skrill and Neteller excluded for welcome bonus
When you land on the Slots n Sports site, one of the first things you’ll notice is the £5 free bets offer for new customers when you deposit £20. This might not be the biggest welcome offer I’ve seen, but nevertheless it gives you £5 extra to play with and the chance to explore a new site, or even a new market. Plus, you get 50 free spins on Legacy of Dead, which may be a nice introduction to the casino side of the site if you aren’t so familiar with it.
As the name suggests, Slots n Sports provides both casino and sportsbook betting, and it’s easy to navigate between each of these sides. In my opinion, this is a great site all round, with all the main sports you’d hope to find plus some more niche options like futsal and beach football.
Pros:
Clear and easy to use site
Great selection of sport specific promotions
The site has an easy to follow live calendar of events which makes tracking potential sports to bet on simple
Cons:
No live streaming
Well-known for its betting shops up and down the country, BoyleSports’ online counterpart is a great spot to pick up some free bets. As a new customer, I was able to enjoy £25 in free bets after placing a bet of at least £10. But flicking through the promotions page, this was just the beginning. Returning customers can pick up insurance free bets like 2nd to favourite or acca insurance, a free £5 acca for every five placed, and the unique ‘Quarterback’ offer where you’ll get 25% of your NFL BetBuilders back as a free bet every week. In my opinion, this breadth puts BoyleSports in one of the top spots when it comes to free bet offers.
Pros:
Generous free bet welcome bonus;
Plethora of ongoing free bet offers for existing customers;
Early payouts on multiple sports;
Additional bonuses available at physical locations.
Cons:
e-Wallet deposits excluded from free bet welcome offer.
One of my favourite free bet bonuses comes courtesy of bet365, one of the industry’s best-known operators. All you have to do to get involved is sign up and bet £10 at odds of at least 1/5 (1.20). You’ll then get £30 of free bet credit to use as you please — split it among multiple wagers or use it all at once, it’s up to you. I’m also a big fan of the fact the credit doesn’t expire provided your account remains active.
Pros:
£30 of free bet credit for new customers;
All the features you’d expect from one of the best bookies in the business;
Player-friendly T&Cs on welcome offer;
Daily odds boosts on a range of markets.
Cons:
Limited free bets available to existing customers.
Our Selection Criteria
How We Choose the Best Free Bets in the UK
We’ve recommended a variety of free bet offers and ranked them. Want to know how we chose our favourites? Let’s take a look at the ranking criteria.
Qualifying Wager
We tend to favour bookies that offer a good bonus amount without requiring a large qualifying wager. Coral, for example, rewards a relatively low first deposit of £5 with £20 in free bets. Parimatch offers £20 in free bets when you wager £10 of your own money.
Time Limits
When you claim a free bet bonus, you will have to use it within a specified time. These limits can often be pretty generous, lasting up to seven days from claiming the promotion. Other sites, however, may have shorter time limits of just 24 hours.
Available Markets
The number of markets you can use a free bet on may sometimes be limited by the betting site. In the cases of event-specific free bets, you may even be restricted to placing the wager on just one market from one particular game.
Money Back Bet
Some of our top UK free bets take the form of a ‘money back bet’ — sometimes called a bet refund — where you place your qualifying bet with real money as usual, but you’ll be given a refund in the form of a free bet credit if you lose. As such, some players might like to take a punt at a wager with longer odds, safe in the knowledge they’ll get their stake back if it fails to come good.
Payment Method Exclusions
Certain payment methods — usually e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill and Neteller — may be excluded from the best free bet offers.
Before making your qualifying deposit, always check to see if there are any payment method restrictions as you won’t receive your free bet if you use one. Debit cards are generally your best option if you’re in any doubt, as it’s very rare for them to be excluded when claiming a free bet offer.
Betting Site Features
While the provision of free bets and other bonus offers is important to us, we also want to see a variety of betting site features. The more a bookie provides to its punters, the less likely they’ll need to go elsewhere to meet all their sports betting needs. Some of the features we look for include:
Live Streaming
In-Play Betting
Early Cash Out
Bet Builder
Best Odds Guaranteed
Casino Games
Payout Speed
There’s nothing worse than having to wait several days for your money to appear in your account. When reviewing the best free bet offers, we evaluate both the number of available fast payout payment methods — such as PayPal, Skrill and Visa Fast Funds — and the speed with which the betting site processes withdrawal requests. Most bookmakers complete processing within 48 hours, but some are quicker than others.
Personal Experience
Last but not least, multiple members of our team test out the sites so we can provide an honest, well-rounded assessment of the user experience. As bettors ourselves, we know from personal experience what customers are looking for in a new betting site, so rest assured that all aspects of the site we’re reviewing have been thoroughly checked and verified by members of our in-house team, including free bet bonuses.
Best Free Bets
Best Free Bets UK
Sportsbook
Free Bet
Min Stake
Min Odds
Min Deposit
Time Limit
Valid Markets
BetTarget
£10
£15
1/1
£10
14 days
All
Bet Storm
£10
£10
1/2
£10
7 days
All
Luckster Sport
£10
£10
1/1
£10
14 days
All
Mr Play
£10
£10
1/1
£10
14 days
All
Unibet
£40
£10
1/1
£10
7 days
Football
Tebwin
£10
£10
1/2
£10
7 days
All
Parimatch
£20
£10
1/1
£5
7 days
All
Coral
£20
£5
1/2
£5
7 days
All
BritainBet
£10
£10
n/a
£10
7 days
All
Ladbrokes
£20
£5
1/2
£5
7 days
All
BetVictor
£10
£5
1/1
£5
7 days
All
Bet365
£30
£10
1/5
£5
90 days
All
Betfred
£30
£10
1/1
£10
7 days
All
The Basics
Free Bets Explained
It might seem obvious, but a free bet is pretty much just that — a bet you can make without having to put your own money on the line. Typically, it comes in the form of a token which can be activated from your betslip. You might have a £5 free bet, for example. This betting credit can’t be withdrawn, but can be used to place bets in accordance with the promotional T&Cs.
If your bet is lucky enough to win, you’ll usually get to keep any resulting profit. Imagine you use your £5 free bet on a market with odds of 4/1 and the bet comes good. The £20 profit from this winning bet is added to your real money balance, which can be withdrawn or used for future bets.
Unlocking a free bet usually requires something in return — a minimum deposit or qualifying bet, for example. Bet X Get X offers are a common welcome bonus you’ll see, while existing customers can look forward to offers such as free bet clubs. Keep reading to discover more about the types of free bets available at our partner bookies.
Free Bet Welcome 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
Many of the UK’s best betting sites offer free bet welcome bonuses to new punters when they sign up. These promotions are a great way to get settled in at a new bookie and learn the ropes of the site. Free bet welcome bonuses come in different forms so here’s a rundown of the types of deals on offer.
New Customer Offer Bet £20, get £10. £10 minimum deposit and wagering. Void/cancelled or cashed out bets don't count towards wagering to activate the free bet. Must be used within 14 days . Neteller, Paysafe or Skill deposits not eligible. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
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 sees betting sites offer players a free bet if their first bet doesn’t come in. Think of this 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. As such, a money-back free bet bonus would often look like, “free bet up to £40 on your first losing bet”, for example. This is a great way to have a punt on longer odds as you know there will be some insurance should your bet not come it.
Some money back free bet promotions may only return a portion of your stake.
Free Bets with Enhanced Odds
Plenty of betting sites offer free bets, so it’s worth looking out for free bets with enhanced odds. These are usually available in the build-up to a marquee sporting event, like the next round of Champions League fixtures. Enhanced odds free bets are bonuses offered to players that payout higher rewards should your bet win. They are almost always tied to specific events, such as upcoming football matches, and will look something like, ‘Boosted Odds of 10/1 if Harry Kane scores against Arsenal.’ The size of the free bet is usually pretty small, rarely above £10, but with higher odds on offer, there is always a chance that you can take home some sizable winnings.
Bonus Code Free Bets
Some free bets can only be received through the use of a bonus code. Unlike a free bet sign up offer, these can generally be claimed at any time while you’re a customer at the site. Many sportsbooks send out free bet bonus promo codes via email newsletters or social media, so opting into marketing might prove beneficial. Using promo code free bets is simple — just enter the code in your account and you’re good to go. You could then receive a single bet to a specific value, several free bet tokens, or a matched free bet on your next deposit.
As with all other free bet types, you should always check the terms and conditions. There may be a minimum deposit amount to meet in order to be eligible, and there may be restrictions on what you can use your free bet on. For example, it may not be valid for spread bets or accumulators.
Want to understand the value of an each-way horse racing bet? Then check out our each-way betting calculator.
No Deposit Free Bet
A no deposit free bet does what it says on the tin by giving you bonus funds to spend without needing to pay anything. While this is a great opportunity to try out a betting site before investing any money in it, 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 stricter terms and conditions. What’s more, they are quite rare, popping up at online bookies pretty infrequently.
Bet and Get Offers
Most Common ‘Bet and Get’ Offers in the UK
There are plenty of sportsbooks offering free bets in the UK. Below, we’ve compared a few of the most common ‘bet and get’ free bet offers found at some of our favourite sites.
Bet £5 Get £20 Free Bet
Kicking things off on the lower end, we have two offers where you’ll net a £20 free bet when you bet just £5, courtesy of Coral and Ladbrokes.
You’ll get a £20 free bet as soon as you deposit and bet your first £5 with Coral. This free bet balance won’t come with any wagering requirements — so any potential winnings will be yours to keep — but must all be used on one bet, meaning you can’t distribute your £20 free bet balance across multiple bets. Also, bear in mind that deposits made with prepaid cards, Apple Pay, Paypal, Neteller or Skrill won’t be eligible for the bonus, so you must make your first deposit with a debit card. Once you’ve done so, however, you’ll find plenty of different sports and markets to bet on at Coral, but as you only have one shot at this free bet, be sure to choose your selection wisely!
Pros:
Only requires a £5 deposit
No wagering requirements
Can be used on all sports and markets
No minimum stake requirements on the free bet
Cons:
Have to use the entire £20 in one bet
Only have 7 days before the free bet expires
Can only qualify with a debit card deposit
Qualifying bet must satisfy minimum stake requirements of 1/2 or greater.
At Ladbrokes, you’ll be credited with four separate £5 free bets when you deposit and spend your first £5. This will no doubt suit a different type of bettor than Coral’s welcome offer, but we personally think it’s a better way of getting used to a new site, as it allows you to place four comparatively modest bets on a range of different sports and markets before you start to play with your own money. Like Coral’s offering, you’ll have seven days to make these bets, and you’ll also need to make your £5 deposit with your debit card — but there’s less pressure riding on where you place that free bet, and a better chance that at least one of them will come through.
Pros:
£20 spread out over 4 free bets
Big reward for just a £5 bet
Free bets can be used on all sports
No wagering requirements
No minimum stake requirements on free bets
Cons:
Qualifying bet must have odds of 1/2 or greater
Free bets expire after 7 days
Free bets can’t be used on the same markets
Only a debit card deposit will qualify you for this bonus
Bet £5 Get £30 Free Bet
At BetVictor new customers can get £30 in free bets when they bet just £5 on the site.
Despite owning Parimatch, BetVictor’s welcome offer works slightly differently. BetVictor gives new players three separate £10 bets when they deposit and bet £5 at a minimum odds requirement of evens (or 2.00): one £10 pre-event free bet, one £10 in play bet, and one £10 acca. Each of these bets can be used on any sport and market, except virtual sports. These free bets must also be placed within seven days of receiving them, and can’t be used with any Void bets, BetBoosts, Special Markets and Enhanced Accas. Like with the majority of other free bet offers, users must also deposit with a debit card in order to qualify.
Pros:
Only requires a small £5 bet
Three separate £10 bets to be placed on any sport or market
No wagering requirements whatsoever so winnings are yours to keep
Cons:
Minimum qualifying bet has to satisfy minimum odds requirements of evens (2.00)
All free bets expire after seven days
Bet £10 Get £40 Free Bet
BoyleSports is undoubtedly the place to be for online free bets. As a new customer, I was able to claim £40 in free bets with an initial £10 qualifying wager. It’s important to note, however, that this consists of a £10 casino free bet plus £30 in sports free bets. Personally, I enjoy a flutter on the roulette wheel when it’s free, so this offer suits me. BoyleSports is an excellent destination for horse racing and greyhound fans, with plenty of recurring promotions such as best odds guaranteed, money back if second to SP favourite, and extra place races.
Pros:
Large free bet welcome offer
No wagering on the free bet once qualified
Wide range of horse racing promos
Excellent acca rewards
Cons:
Horse racing promos won’t suit everyone
Bet £10 Get £20 Free Bet
Parimatch offers some of the best free bets on the market. After signing up, I had the choice of several different welcome offers, each offering a free bet tailored to different sports. I went for the general Sports Welcome Offer, where I was able to claim four £5 free bets after betting £10 of my own cash. The 2.00 (1/1) minimum odds are on the high side, but there are no wagering requirements to contend with and the free bets can be split into smaller bets if you prefer. Elsewhere, there’s a great range of sports markets available to bet on, featuring everything from darts to table-tennis.
Pros:
Choice of free bet welcome offers
No wagering requirements
Cons:
Few promotions for existing customers
Minimum odds at evens for welcome bonus
Bet £10 Get £10 Free Bet
Luckster is a top location to claim a £10 free bet token. To qualify, I had to place a £10 bet of my own at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Although this is a higher odds requirement than what you’ll find at the likes of Bet Storm and Tebwin, Luckster’s offer comes with no wagering requirements, so any winnings can be cashed out straight away. I found Luckster’s sportsbook incredibly easy to use thanks to the event time slider and other filters such as top offers and my favourites. The green and white design is also very easy on the eye.
Pros:
No wagering on the £10 free bet
Tidy site design
Helpful filtering options
Cons:
No e-wallets accepted for welcome bonus
Bet £40 Get £5 Free Bet
Bet £40 to get £5 might not seem like the best free bet offer in the world, but if you’re a cricket fan you’ll want to check out this promotion at 10bet. If you bet a total of £40+ on cricket before 30 June, you’ll receive a £5 free live cricket bet. This offer comes with favourable minimum odds of 4/5 (1.8) and there’s no additional wagering to worry about. There’s no better place to have some free cash to spend either — 10bet is one of my favourite sites in terms of its design and aesthetics. The sportsbook is easy to navigate and smartly executed.
Pros:
Free bet for live cricket
Smart site design
No wagering requirements on free bet winnings
Cons:
Small free bet bonus
Existing Customer Offers
Best Free Bets and Promotions for Existing Customers
Of course, once you’ve been with a site long enough to get through any sign-up offers, you might be wondering what’s next. Fortunately, many of our top sportsbooks offer ongoing free bets and other promotions for existing customers. These can take several forms — let’s look at a few of the different types below.
Free Bet Club
If you’re a regular sports bettor, it’s worth getting involved at a site with a free bet club — that’s where you’ll get regular access to free bets when you opt in and meet any requirements. Many free bet clubs reward members with a weekly free bet, typically £5–£10 in size. In order to qualify, you’ll usually need to have bet a certain amount at the site that week.
Reload Bonus
A reload bonus is a term that can apply to any offer designed to ‘reload’ a player’s balance at a site — so you could probably consider most offers to existing customers as reload bonuses. Sportsbooks often hand them out to players when there’s a big event coming up, sometimes requiring qualifying bets or free bets to be placed on said event.
Reload bonuses come in many different shapes and sizes, with examples including:
100% deposit match up to £50 when you deposit at least £20.
£30 free bet when you deposit £30.
Two £10 free bets when you bet at least £5 on the Premier League.
Loyalty Bonus
Just like reload bonuses, loyalty bonuses cover a wide spectrum of offers. They’re given to punters who regularly bet or deposit at a site in recognition of their patronage, sometimes requiring you to opt in or meet staking minimums in order to trigger the bonus. While free bet clubs themselves are a type of loyalty bonus, there are plenty of other offer types too, including:
Deposit matches
VIP points which can be exchanged for free bets and other perks
Cashback
Odds boosts
Additional casino bonuses and free spins
Insurance Free Bets
We’ve all been there — just as your acca is about to come good, the final leg lets you down and you walk away with nothing. One way to avoid this disappointment is with acca insurance. While you won’t take home any profit, you’ll get your stake refunded with a free bet credit instead, should just one leg of your accumulator fail.
Make sure you know the maximum insurance free bet offered by the sportsbook — the limit is usually set somewhere between £10 and £25.
Price Boosts
Also known as odds boosts or enhanced odds, price boosts increase the potential payout on a bet by lengthening the odds.
Let’s say you’re betting on a horse race, and Horse A is the favourite to win at odds of 2/1. In this instance, a £10 stake will net you £20 profit if the bet comes good. While that’s by no means bad, applying a price boost will let you take the bet at longer odds — say 4/1.
Best Odds Guaranteed
Best odds guaranteed is a popular promotion aimed at horse racing punters, but you’ll see it offered for other sports markets too. It addresses the fact that odds often fluctuate in the run up to an event, leading bettors to analyse when the best time is to place the bet.
With this promotion, if you place your bet ahead of time and the race’s starting odds offer a higher payout, you’ll be given the new and improved odds. If the potential payout doesn’t increase from when you placed your bet, you’ll stick with the original odds. Either way, you won’t miss out.
Free Bet Promotions
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.
Free Bet Clubs
Weekly Free Bet Clubs
Several of our recommended online bookmakers run a weekly free bet club, where you’ll be able to snag a free bet every seven days if you meet the requirements. Here’s how you can get involved:
If in-play betting is your thing, you’ll be right at home with Unibet, who offers a free £10 in-play bet every week. To qualify, you’ll need to:
Make at least five in-play bets of £10 or more on football, darts, cricket, basketball or tennis.
Each bet must be at minimum odds of evens (1/1).
Multiples count too but each leg must also be a minimum of evens.
Bets must be placed between Monday and Sunday.
If you qualify, you’ll get your free bet every Monday at 4pm and it can be used on any in-play event with the exception of horse racing, greyhounds, and trotting.
Paddy’s Rewards Club gives punters up to £10 in free bets every week plus one Power Up which can be used to boost your odds. There are three tiers of weekly reward:
Place one bet of £5 or more to get a Power Up
Place five bets of £5 or more to get a £5 free bet plus a Power Up
Place five bets of £10 or more to get a £10 free bet plus a Power Up
Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 1/2 or more to count, and you’ll get a full seven days to use your free bet.
Grosvenor Sport Club gives punters the opportunity to claim online free bets every week. Here’s how to qualify:
Head to the promotions page and click the link to opt into the Grosvenor Sport Club
Stake £25 a week from Monday 00:00 – Sunday 23:59 to receive a free bet
Qualifying bets must have cumulative odds of 1/2 (1.5) and need to have settled to be included
£5 free bet tokens are then credited before 23:59 on Tuesday each week. The highlight for me is that the free bet can be used on any sports market, although bear in mind you’ll only have seven days to use it.
Most of the top betting sites have a steady stream of regular free bets promos for existing customers. Deals range from simple matched bets to money back bets where your stake is returned in certain situations. For example, you might receive your first goalscorer stake as a free bet if a football match ends scoreless or if a horse fails to finish a race. Of course, there will always be limits to how much you are eligible to receive, but this will be clearly stated beforehand.
The biggest sporting events present a huge number of betting opportunities and of course, the top online betting sites want to prevent their existing customers from heading elsewhere. To keep punters coming back, top online bookies often offer event-based free bets promotions for big occasions like the Champions League final, major boxing matches and the Grand National. Let’s say the Rugby World Cup Final is coming up, “Bet £20 and get a £5 free bet” is an example of such an offer.
Many of the best online betting 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.
Pros and Cons
The Pros and Cons of Free Bet Bonuses
Pros
You can get familiar with a new site without spending your own cash – While free bets are usually quite low in value, they can give you a great opportunity to get a feel for a new site before wagering your own money.
They allow you to try out a different betting market or sport – It’s a free bet, so why not try something a little different?
You can make wagers on longer odds without fear of losing your own money – When you aren’t betting with your own money, you can enjoy trying out wagers on odds you might not usually go for.
The majority of free bet bonuses are free from wagering requirements – You will find that the majority of free bets are not restricted by wagering requirements, but be sure to read through the terms and conditions for the site you are using.
Cons
Certain free bets may be restricted to certain markets – From first glance it may not be immediately apparent, but many free bets are restricted to certain betting markets. Always read the T&Cs.
Wagering requirements may apply – Free bets can be restricted by terms and conditions such as wagering requirements, so be sure to read through the details before you start.
Some payment methods may be excluded from free bet bonuses – Always check the terms and conditions, as you may find that certain payment options, such as e-wallets like Neteller, are ineligible for use with free bet bonuses.
Use Your Free Bet
How to Use Your Free Bet
Once you’ve picked up a free bet as part of a sign up bonus or existing customer promotion, putting it into action is usually a quick and easy process. There’ll be differences between free bets sites on the exact steps of how to use them, but generally it’ll play out as follows:
Check out the T&Cs – a good place to start is a quick check of the main terms and conditions. These will be listed as part of the info for the sign up bonus, or if you’re an existing customer, any maximum win caps or market restrictions should be listed in your messages where you first received the free bet.
Browse and choose a market – now you’re aware of any restrictions, you’ll need to go ahead and choose where to place your free bet. Some free bets are targeted at specific markets, such as the weekend’s upcoming Premier League games, so you can head straight there to get started. Other free bets are more flexible — if you’re not aware of any market restrictions, have a browse and pick out something that takes your fancy.
Set up your bet – next, choose a selection and add it to the betslip. It’s here you can select your stake and check out the potential returns. However, if your selection is eligible, you’ll instead be able to select the option to use your free bet instead of a real money stake. Free bets act like a token and are fixed to a particular value, so all you’ll need to do is click the button to activate it. The potential payout will also update — remember that you won’t receive any stake back with a free bet.
Confirm your free bet – now, there’s nothing left to do other than click confirm and wait for the result of your bet — good luck!
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 a couple of crucial differences. Let’s take a look at them:
How you claim them — While free bets offers require you to make a qualifying bet, 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.
How they’re used — 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 makes it harder to turn your bonus into withdrawable winnings.
We’ve lined up the best bookies offering matched deposit bonuses if you want to check out this deal.
Free Bet Sports
Top Sports for Free Bets
Free bets are available for use on a range of different sports. As such, a broad selection of sports fans can make use of them to wager on their favourite events. Let’s have a look at some of the key sports punters can use their free bets on.
Football
Free football bets are a common promotion available at online bookies. With so many football matches played around the world, there are plenty of betting opportunities. Some free bet offers will be tied to high-profile sporting events, such as the Manchester derby or the World Cup final. Others, however, can be used on a far greater range of games.
Horse Racing
Horse racing fans are another group who can make the most of the best free bet offers available at online bookies. There is a myriad of horse racing events held each year, with some of the most high-profile held in the UK. From the Grand National, to Cheltenham, to Epsom, there are sure to be a range of free bet offers available to players. What’s more, there are also plenty of races from across the world to bet on, including the Kentucky Derby, the Melbourne Cup and the Dubai World Cup. Just as with football, free bets can be used on a range of different events, or they may be tied to specific events.
Boxing
Big boxing clashes are often the highlight of the sporting calendar, so it’s no surprise that bookies will often offer free bets for these big fight nights. Some betting sites may even offer free bets on specific methods of victory, such as ‘£5 Free Bet on Anthony Joshua to Win by Knockout before the 6th Round,’ for example.
Tennis
There are numerous big tennis tournaments that take place throughout the year, namely the Grand Slams — the Australian Open, French Open, US Open, and Wimbledon. Thanks to the relatively short games that make up each set and match, tennis is a fast-paced sport that’s ideal for an in-play free bet. Nonetheless, if you’d prefer to stick on your free tennis bet ahead of time, you can choose from a range of markets like who’ll win the tournament, who’ll win a particular game, and what the score will be.
Golf
Golf is another great choice for when you’ve got a free bet in the bag. You can take your pick on who’ll win the top competitions, like the 2023 US Masters. At most betting sites with free bets you can also opt for an each way selection, where you’ll be putting a bet on the golfer to win the tournament, and another bet for them to place. Which positions constitute ‘placing’ depends on the size of the tournament, but for the 2023 US Masters, Paddy Power have this down as the top six.
Basketball
The NBA springs to mind for most people when they think of basketball — North America’s elite league features famous teams like the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. You can place straight up bets on which team will win a particular match, or make your predictions on the performances of particular players, such as how many rebounds LeBron James will get in one game. If you’re less familiar with basketball but are interested in watching more of it and potentially having a punt, a free bet is a great place to start rather than risking any of your own cash.
American Football
American football is another popular sport that you’ll regularly find is eligible for using your free bets – with the main focus being on the NFL and the NCAA college football league. The NFL season runs from September to January and consists of over 270 games, so there’s plenty of opportunity to place a bet within this timeframe. And, thanks to the wide range of prestigious matches and tournaments throughout the season including the NFL playoffs, there’s a great deal of options for American football betting fans. At present, BetStorm offers a £10 free bet when you deposit £10, for which American football is one of the eligible sports markets. If you haven’t bet on American football before then using one of these free bets can be a great way of testing the water before wagering your own money.
Mobile
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!
New Customer Offer New Players Only. Min £10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet - one-time stake of £10, 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 receipt. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
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:
You claim a £5 no deposit free bet with a 3x wagering requirement
You'll have to wager £15 in total to complete the requirement
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 time frame.
Excluded Payment Methods
To bag yourself a free bet, you’ll often need to place a qualifying bet with your own cash first. UK customers have access to a whole host of payment methods when depositing at free bets sites, but some of them may be excluded when claiming a sign up bonus. e-Wallets, such as PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill are often excluded, but you’ll always be able to use a debit card, such as Visa or Mastercard. Check the T&Cs for the free bet offer before you get started to avoid any hassle.
Market Restrictions
Some free bets can be used on any sports markets across a site — in this case, you can simply browse what’s on offer and take your pick. In other cases, the free bet may only be available for a particular sport, or one specific match. If you’re having to place a qualifying bet in order to claim the free bets, ensure you check the market restrictions beforehand to avoid any disappointment further down the line.
Payment Options
Free Bet Payment Options
Debit Cards
Debit cards are one of the most popular payment options used by online sportsbook members. Deposits from Visa or Mastercard cards are almost always instant and it is very rare to come across any restrictions when claiming a free bet. Withdrawal times can be quite long, however, typically taking between one to five working days.
E-wallets
If you’re looking for consistently quick withdrawal times, then an e-wallet may be the payment method for you. E-wallet options such as PayPal, Skrill and Neteller offer players withdrawals in as little as 24 hours in some cases, alongside instant withdrawals. You may find, however, that some restrictions apply when it comes to claiming a free bet at particular sites. This means you will have to use a different method to claim the promotion. We recommend reading the terms and conditions before signing up to make sure you’re eligible for a free bet if you use an e-wallet.
Prepaid Cards
Prepaid card options, such as Paysafecard, are fast becoming one of the more popular deposit methods used by online players. These options provide players with a lot of security as none of your bank details need to be shared with the betting site when you make a deposit. You won’t be able to make withdrawals using Paysafecard, so you will have to use a different method in order to claim your cash.
Trustly
Trustly is a payments intermediary that runs on Open Banking. There’s no need to sign up for an additional account with Trustly —instead, all you need to do is log into the secure payment portal with your usual online banking credentials. Once you’re connected, you can make extremely fast payments directly to and from the betting site, because the betting site’s usual checks can be bypassed due to rich KYC data provided by Trustly. Another benefit of Trustly is it’s usually valid for claiming the best free bets.
AstroPay
One of the newer payment methods on the UK scene, AstroPay started life as a digital prepaid voucher solution but now offers a digital e-wallet and debit card too. Reasons to bank with AstroPay include the security it provides, and how easy it is to manage your finances through your online account or via the app. Being a relatively new payment method, AstroPay isn’t available at all online casinos, so be sure to check before registering if you think this will be your favoured payment solution.
Payment Restrictions
The UK’s top betting sites offer a range of secure payment methods, but not all deposits are eligible for free bets bonus deals. It’s common for some of the best 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 sites that accept PayPal deposits, keep in mind that some bookies state that you need to use a different banking method to PayPal to claim free bet promotions.
Debit cards are your best bet when it comes to claiming sportsbook bonuses – these deposit options are universally accepted for free bet offers.
How To Choose the Best Free Bet Offer
Looking for the best free bets around? We’ve looked far and wide for top deals — follow the steps below and find your next match.
STEP 1
Compare UKGC Licensed Sites
All our recommended sports betting sites with free bets are fully licensed by the UKGC.
STEP 2
Sign Up & Opt In
Complete the sign-up process by entering your details, and don’t forget to opt into the bonus — sometimes you’ll need to enter a promo code.
STEP 3
Deposit
Check the bonus T&Cs for the minimum deposit and any excluded payment methods, and add funds to your sportsbook wallet in line with these requirements.
STEP 4
Claim Free Bet
The free bet will be added to your account — you should now be able to select it on your bet slip when placing a wager.
Responsible Gambling Tips
Responsible Gambling Tips
Although free bets are often regarded as a low-risk form of sports betting, it’s easy to let bad habits develop. Gambling can quickly become addictive, whether you’re using a free bet or your own money. Before you place a wager, be sure you’ve set a realistic and honest budget. Once you hit this limit, it’s time to take a break.
Need some more advice? Head over to our responsible gambling guide, where you’ll find plenty of expert tips to help you gamble responsibly. Or, if you feel like gambling is having a negative impact on your life or someone you know, be sure to seek support from an organisation such as GamCare or BeGambleAware.org.
Ready to Play
Claim your Free Bet!
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!
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.
A free bet is a type of bonus where you can place a wager without using your own money. Instead, you use the free bet stake — but you still have a chance to win real cash. If your free bet wins, you usually keep the profit only and the stake isn’t returned.
Free bets are given out for a variety of reasons. They’re often part of a welcome bonus, but may be offered to existing customers by way of a free bet club or reload promotion. Risk-free bets or bet refunds are commonly given as free bet tokens as well, as opposed to as withdrawable cash.
As long as a site offering free bets holds an up-to-date licence from the UK Gambling Commission, it’s safe and trustworthy. Gambling licences are a legal requirement for all sportsbook operators in the UK. The conditions of the licence involve stipulations around fair play, data protection, and player safety.
Non-compliant operators risk large fines or could even lose their licences altogether. As such, bettors get a degree of protection when they play at licensed betting sites. All our recommendations at Compare.bet are fully licensed, and we blacklist any names that aren’t. Furthermore, we strongly advise all our readers to avoid all unlicensed betting sites and casinos.
It depends on the terms and conditions of the free bet. Some offers are geared towards specific sports, such as Unibet’s football free bet offer where it can only be used on eligible football matches. However, many free bets can be used on a wide range of sports — you can compare the best free bet deals right here to find one that meets your needs. Don’t forget there may be a minimum odds requirement for any free bets you claim.
A free bet isn’t real money and can’t be withdrawn as cash. The good news is that most free bets offers in the UK come without wagering requirement, so anything you win with a free bet can usually be withdrawn immediately. Always check the terms and conditions.
Free bets are offered at UK betting sites as part of a welcome bonus or existing player promotion. You may also receive free bets as compensation through acca insurance. Free bets are usually claimed by making a qualifying deposit or minimum bet.
Yes, you can win real money with free bets. Generally speaking, anything you win with a free bet can be withdrawn as cash, although this does vary from site to site. Always read the terms and conditions before claiming an offer so you understand the ins and outs of the promotion.
It is extremely rare for a betting site to offer a no deposit free bet, although many sites offer no deposit free spins to new users. These free spins can only be used on slot games, with PaddyPower Sport offering such bonuses at the time of writing.
It depends. First off, there’s no guarantee you’ll make anything on a free bet. As with all gambling, there’s always the chance you’ll lose. Aside from that fact, the amount you can make depends on the size of the free bet stake and the odds of your bet. Most offers do have a win limit, which could be around £100. Check the terms and conditions beforehand, as you won’t be able to withdraw anything beyond this amount if your bet does succeed.
References
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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.
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.
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.
The following external expert(s) contributed to ensure this page provides maximum value, accuracy and insight:
Adam has almost a decade of experience working in the gambling industry, including various content and marketing roles at the likes of PlayOJO, Betway and Entain He is currently the Head of Marketing at Arena Entertainment. Adam puts his vast experience to use as a fact checker for Compare.bet.
James is a betting and casino expert at Compare.bet who specialises in writing and editing in-depth guides and reviews. As well as producing copy for the site, James is instrumental in making tweaks that keep our pages at the cutting edge of gambling comparison.
Eddie is a contributor at Compare.bet who focuses on writing and editing gambling guides, reviews, and more. Outside work he's a musician, distance runner, and Chelsea fan, but we don't hold it against him.
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