Nearly all bookies offer a betting bonus to entice new customers through the door. In this expert guide, we’ll be walking you through the ins and outs of these deals, including choosing, claiming, and using a betting bonus of your own — along with any pitfalls to watch out for. Let’s jump in!
New Customer Offer Bet £10, get £15. £10 minimum deposit. Max £10 free bet is only valid for 14 days. Bet must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible 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 New cust only. Opt in & place a qualifying bet within 7 days to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca, 1 x £10 Football. 7 day expiry. T&Cs & exclusions apply. Stake not returned. T&Cs Apply. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
New Customer Offer 18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £5 on sports (odds 2.00+) within 7 days. No cash-out. Get 4x£5 Free Bets for set markets, which expire in 7 days. Selected payment methods 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 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 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
New Customer Offer 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £5 at odds 1/1+ within 7 days of registering, no cashout. Get 2x £10 Free Bets, set events at odds 1/1+. Plus a £10 Slot Bonus, selected games, wager 20x to withdraw max £250. 7 day bonus expiry. Debit Card/Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
New Customer Offer 18+. New Customers Only. Max one £10 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
🏆 Best Overall Score:
92%
🎁 Largest Free Bet:
£40
💷 Minimum Deposit:
£5
Betting Bonuses Explained
How Betting Bonuses Work
If you’ve ever spent any time at an online bookmaker, you’ll have likely seen the large banners advertising various promotions on offer. While bookies use these to encourage bettors to sign up and spend money at their sites, they can also present an opportunity for you to get a bit of extra value from your bankroll.
A betting bonus can come in all shapes and sizes, from free bet stakes to use in place of your own cash, to odds boosts that maximise your winnings, or even a casino bonus to use on the slots.
To unlock your bonus, you’ll need to fulfil the qualifying requirements. This could be a minimum deposit, a qualifying bet, entering a promo code, or simply just signing up for an account. Once this is done, you’ll receive your bonus which can then be used in line with the terms and conditions.
Ultimately, every bonus is different, and can deliver more or less value depending on the bonus terms and your preferences as a bettor. Keep reading and we’ll dive in deeper.
Pros and Cons
Pros and Cons of Claiming a Betting Bonus
Pros
Get extra value from your betting budget;
Place bets without staking your own money;
Increase payouts on winning bets with odds boosts;
Enjoy loyalty rewards if you’re a regular bettor;
Sports betting bonuses usually don’t have high wagering requirements;
Nearly all sites offer a welcome bonus package;
Use a bonus to familiarise yourself with a sportsbook platform.
Cons
Terms and conditions can restrict how you use your bonus;
Most bonuses require a minimum deposit or bet to qualify;
There’s a vast range of betting bonuses up for grabs at our recommended sites. When you’re picking which to go with, there are several factors to think about:
Size – How big is the bonus? This is often the first consideration when comparing offers. Of course, bigger doesn’t always equal better. But if you’re simply looking for a free bet, you’ll likely prefer a £30 bonus over a £20 bonus, all else being equal.
Qualifying requirements – What do you have to do to claim the bonus? Most will require a bet of at least £10 to be made at minimum odds, but some offers can be claimed with just a deposit.
Eligible markets – Think about what you’d like to use your bet for. Markets like in-play bets and accas aren’t always included, so be sure to check if this is a priority for you. Likewise, some free bets are for use only on specific sports such as football or horse racing.
Want more detail on the different types of betting bonuses you might find? We’ve broken them down below.
Welcome Offers
Most bookies bestow new bettors with some kind of welcome offer, which will likely take one of the following shapes:
Free bets – These bet credits can be used in place of a real money stake, and if your bet wins, you’ll keep the profit. Most bettors prefer this type of welcome bonus as it’s a fixed value that doesn’t depend on whether your qualifying bet wins or not.
Money back bets – With these offers, your first bet at the site will be refunded as a free bet credit if it loses, up to a certain value.
Matched deposits – Here, you’ll get bonus bet credit proportionate to your first deposit, say a 100% match up to £20.
Profit boosts – If your first bet at the site wins, the profit will be increased by a certain percentage, such as a 100% boost up to a maximum of £100.
Ongoing Promotions
Once you’ve exhausted your welcome offer, you’ll want to check out what else the betting site has to offer. This will likely include:
Reload bonuses – Bag some extra betting bonus credit when you make your next qualifying deposit.
Event-specific offers – In the lead-up to popular events like the World Cup or Grand National, bookies may dish out extra betting bonuses.
Free bet clubs – If you’re a regular bettor, taking advantage of this offer can mean bagging extra free bet tokens. To qualify, you’ll need to stake a certain minimum within a given period, say £25 in a week.
Acca insurance – If accumulators are your wager of choice, you can safeguard a total loss with acca insurance. Here, your stake is refunded as a free bet if you lose by just one leg.
How to Claim
Claiming Your Betting Bonus
Taking advantage of a betting bonus is a simple process. Follow these easy steps:
STEP 1
Compare Bookmakers
First things first is identifying a betting site with the features that align with your needs. Each site we recommend has been reviewed against a range of criteria so you can make an informed choice. Looking for fast withdrawals? Specific niche markets to bet on? A site focused on live streaming and in-play bets? Just check out our comparison lists and click through for a detailed review.
STEP 2
Review Welcome Bonus
Before claiming any offer, you should have a thorough look through the terms and conditions so you know what you’re getting, and what’s required to make the most of your offer. You should also check if any payment methods are excluded from claiming.
STEP 3
Sign Up and Deposit
Click through to the bookmaker homepage via our link and create your new account by entering the required information. You might need to provide ID as part of the Know Your Customer requirements. Then, make your qualifying deposit — don’t forget to enter a promo code or opt in if required.
STEP 4
Enjoy Your Bonus
If the offer requires a qualifying bet, this needs to settle before you receive your betting bonus. It will then appear in your account. Once you’re ready, simply head to the markets to use your bonus.
Using Your Bonus
Making the Most of Your Betting Bonus
When it comes to actually using your bonus, there are a few tips and tricks when it comes to getting maximum value from the offer. Here are some of our suggestions.
Betting Strategy
When using a betting bonus, you might consider a betting strategy a little different to what you’d normally do. For example, taking a punt on longer odds could seem more attractive, seeing as you’re not wagering your own money. The same is true if you’re using a money back bet.
For things like profit boosts, you might want to choose a wager that has a decent probability of coming good to make the most of the offer. Enhanced odds tokens are similar — you’ll need the bet to win to see the benefit, so it may be more worthwhile to go for shorter odds. In any case, be sure to stick within your means when you return to betting with real cash.
Wagering Requirements
If your offer comes with wagering requirements, these need to be completed before you can withdraw any bonus-related winnings. These are usually pretty low when it comes to sports betting bonuses, and often much more impactful against casino offers. Say the wagering requirements on a £10 bonus are 4x — you’ll have to bet £40 of your own cash before winnings resulting from the bonus can be withdrawn. Never let this sway you into spending more than you otherwise would.
Time Limits
Make sure you’re aware of any time limits attached to your offer — once you claim the bonus, the clock will be ticking. While sites like bet365 won’t remove your bonus credit as long as your account remains active, some bookies will give you just 24 hours to use your free bet. Always check before you claim so you’re not caught unawares!
Eligible Markets
It’s important to choose a bonus that aligns with your betting preferences. Take a look through the smallprint so you know what’s available when betting with bonus credit. Some free bets are for specific sports or events, while others might be designed to give you a taste of live betting or accumulators.
Other T&Cs
We know they’re boring, but terms and conditions set out the limitations of your betting bonus so they’re a must-read. Some main things to consider include winnings limits (the maximum you can win from a betting bonus) and payment exclusions (using a disqualified deposit method will render you ineligible for the bonus).
Staying Safe
Responsible Gambling
While a betting bonus can add to the enjoyment of your gambling experience, it’s important to stay in control — even when you’re betting with bonus credit and not real cash. Furthermore, you shouldn’t bet more than you ordinarily would for the sake of claiming a bonus or clearing wagering requirements.
Before you start betting, make sure you understand how to gamble responsibly. We’ve got you covered here at Compare.bet with our responsible gambling guide. This guide provides plenty of advice to help keep things enjoyable, such as setting a budget, using on-site limiters, and taking time-outs. If you feel like you need further help with your betting, or gambling is affecting you negatively, visit GamCare or BeGambleAware.org for more support and advice.
Sigh Up & Play!
Compare Betting Bonuses and Sign Up
Now you’re an expert on all aspects of betting bonuses, all that’s left to do is try one for yourself. Here at Compare.bet, our job is to make it easy for you to find the best gambling deals. With that in mind, we’ve collated top betting bonuses and reviewed each site to help you find the perfect bookmaker. Simply check out our betting bonus page to get started.
Nearly every bookmaker gives out free bets in some capacity. Here at Compare.bet, we’ve selected the best offers to make it easy for you to find one that suits your needs. Check out our betting bonus page to compare promotions and sign up. Need some quick inspiration? A few of our favourites include Bzeebet, HeySpin, 32Red, and Grosvenor.
No, but profit from a winning free bet can usually be withdrawn. Check the T&Cs for any wagering requirements, as these must be completed before you can cash out any free bet winnings.
Unibet has one of the largest free bet bonuses — when you sign up and bet £10 at the site, you’ll get £40 in free bets plus a £10 casino bonus. Parimatch and BetStorm both offer Bet £10 Get £30 deals, but you can find a full list on our betting bonus page.
Yes, as long as they’re licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. As part of such a licence, the bookmaker must meet requirements around fairness, security, and responsible gambling. Those who don’t comply risk large fines or even loss of licence. You should never play at an unlicensed site but thankfully all the betting sites we recommend at Compare.bet are fully licensed.
Any bonus offered by a licensed bookmaker will be legitimate, but it’s essential to check the terms and conditions so you fully understand what you’re getting. Betting bonuses often come with certain restrictions around minimum odds, winnings caps, and occasionally wagering requirements.
The people behind this page
Compare.bet's online gambling content experts helped write, edit and check this page:
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:
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.
Privacy & cookie notice
Just so you know, this site uses cookies to give you the best possible experience. Close
