Free Bets

The Different Types of Free Bet

Every top bookmaker has a different free bet available for new customers, while some will also give existing customers the opportunity to land bonuses and we have the full list of operators and corresponding free bets so that you can make informed decisions about the offers that work for you.

Please note that the bookies regularly change their welcome bonuses. Therefore, if you find a particular free bet attractive, we would recommend taking it as quickly as possible because there is often a time limit before the promotions are changed, especially if something is proving popular and the bookies are taking a hit.

Each bookmaker has a different free bet promotion and it’s important to read the key terms and conditions before qualifying for each offer. We aim to provide as much information about each operator and its bonus so that you’re fully equipped to land the free bet, although you can contact their customer service department should you require further information.

• Matched free bets: These are probably the most common type, with new customers needing to make a first deposit after opening an account with a bookmaker. They then need to place a qualifying bet and, when this wager is settled, the bookie will credit your account with a free bet to the same stake. There is usually an odds requirement for your qualifying bet such as 1/5 (1.20) or 1/2 (1.50).
• No deposit free bets: You can occasionally land yourself a free bet without having to make a deposit. It might still be the case that you need to register your payment details although a bookie might then credit your account with a bonus without having to risk any of your own money. Naturally, it’s great to bet with risk-free money although there are likely to be turnover requirements before any withdrawal can be made, and no deposit bonuses would be more common with casinos.
• Reload bonuses: After you’ve claimed a welcome bonus, the bookies will want you to keep returning to their site and reload bonuses often attract repeat business. You might get an email from a bookmaker offering you the chance to enjoy a reload bonus when you log in and make another deposit and this could even be another 100% match if you’re lucky.
• Risk-free bets: Online sports betting generally carries some level of risk to your funds, although that’s not always the case. There are first-class bookmakers who will give new customers a risk-free bet offer and this generally involves getting money back if your opening wager is a loser. So you either get to keep the profit if you win and get money back if it loses.
• Qualifying free bets: So you might open a bookmaker account and follow the terms and conditions to generate a free bet. However, there might then be qualifying conditions before a withdrawal can be made. Sometimes you need to bet through this free bet amount a certain number of times before a withdrawal can be made and there might also be a minimum odds requirement.
• In-Play bonuses: In-Play betting has become increasingly popular over the past few years and there are bookmakers who run free bet promotions where customers can enjoy In-Play bonuses. These offers generally centre around big football matches and it might require you to bet a certain amount on a pre-match betting market before the bookie then allow you to enjoy an In-Play bonus when the match in question has kicked off.
• Moneyback specials: You’re not always going to back a winner when you place a bet, although you can sometimes get losing stakes refunded thanks to the moneyback specials that are available with certain bookmakers. These are often called MBS and a bookie might specify that if a team wins a particular match or a player scores in the game, you can enjoy money back on losing bets as a free bet.

Find the Best Free Bet Offer for you

Quite simply, there has never been so much choice and that’s great news if you haven’t opened up an online betting account with any bookmaker so far. However, the wide range of available free bets can often be confusing and it’s important to take your time and pick out the promotions which work best for you.

We recommend that you’re always comfortable with the amount you need to deposit and bet in order to qualify for a free bet, while it also makes sense to focus on bookie at a time rather than trying to generate bonuses with several operators simultaneously as this could prove overwhelming.

There is no limit as to how many different online betting accounts you can have. Indeed, we recommend that it’s worth signing up with a number of new betting sites. Firstly, that means you can land yourself multiple free bets and hopefully enjoy a winning start. Secondly, you can then benefit from existing customer offers and for example, more competitive horse racing odds in the long run.

Free Bet Offers vs. Bonus Offers

When you sign up with a top betting site, there is often a free bet offer or a bonus offer available. These are broadly similar promotions, although it’s good to have a sense of what you can earn from registering a new betting account each time so you can get the bets free bets possible.

As far as free bet offers are concerned, this is generally a case of opening a bookie account and making a first deposit before placing a qualifying bet. Once this bet has been settled by the bookmaker, you will be awarded a maximum free bet, which is usually the same stake as your original wager.

It might be the case that you need to place a first bet at specific minimum odds before claiming a free bet, although this doesn’t tend to be too prohibitive. When you get a free bet, there might be a wagering requirement such as playing through a free bet once, twice or three times, with the free bet winnings calculated on bonus bets.

When it comes to bookmaker bonus offers, these can often be awarded on a first deposit, and it might be that you also get a bonus on top of a second or third deposit. The amount of bonus is often a percentage of your deposit, and some bookies will instantly credit you with a bonus balance.

As a rule, bonus offers tend to be bigger than a free bet offer, but there are often tougher wagering requirements before you can withdraw any winnings. Some betting sites might require you to turn over your original deposit and bonus a number of times before a withdrawal can be processed.

We always recommend you take only one or two free bet bonuses at a time so that you understand what is required. Bear in mind the minimum and maximum amount that can be claimed with betting offers and how easy or difficult it is to get your hands on the free bet winnings.

Understanding the Terms and Conditions of Free Bet Offers

Every free bet offer will have terms and conditions attached. They might look boring, but it’s important to get the key points in order to understand how to get your hands on the free bet. Some betting sites’ best free bets are more generous than others, and you don’t want to jump through too many hoops to qualify.

The first key piece of information is understanding the minimum and maximum amounts you can deposit to generate these betting offers. You should also bear in mind that the majority of betting sites will require you to place a first wager at minimum odds. This might be 1/5 (1.20), 1/2 (1.50) or evens (2.00).

Furthermore, it’s generally the case that your original bet needs to be settled before your free bet bonuses are credited to your account. This might not happen straight away, with the bookies usually having 24-48 hours to credit the account, and it might be that you need to use a promo code when registering to qualify for the maximum free bet offer.

Once you have received your free bet, it’s also important to decipher from the terms and conditions whether there are any turnover or wagering requirements such as placing bet builder bets, or having to wager a number of times before you can make a withdrawal. Naturally, you will need to place a bet with this free bet and it’s almost certain that the free bet stake won’t be included in any winnings.

The other term and condition to notice is that some bookmakers might not allow you to claim free bet offers with specific payment methods. Debit cards are generally the safest option here, and it can be e-wallet methods such as PayPal, Neteller and Skrill that are prohibited when it comes to generating a free bet.

Although it might initially seem boring to read the terms and conditions, it is generally just the above that you can scan through and get a firm understanding of what’s required to benefit from a bookmaker free bet.

Free Bets for New Customers

The vast majority of free bet promotions are designed for new customers considering that the bookmakers are always trying to bolster the number of registered players who are visiting their website on a daily basis. They are often generous and could see a bookie offer you a matched free bet which should be used wisely.

Many new customers use free bets recklessly and go for a big-priced selection in the hope of landing a big return, although it pays to be more calculated and look for a betting option that you consider to be a value proposition. It’s always good to make a winning start and get ahead of the curve when your bookie offers you free money.

You might also be interested in:

• New Betting Sites
• Best Betting Apps
• Acca Insurance
• Cash Out Betting Sites
• Best Odds Guaranteed

Free Bets for Existing Customers

You might have to work harder to land a free bet when you’re an existing customer although there are promotions out there, especially when there are big sporting events like Champions League football, the Cheltenham Festival and the US Masters. It’s always worth visiting the bookmaker websites during busy weeks to see what offers are available and you can hopefully secure some bonuses.

Alternatively, punters can often receive an email thanking us for being a loyal customer and getting the chance to use a free bet. The same applies to many other customers and the size of the free bet tends to differ according to your average stake and whether you’re regarded as a “winning” or a “losing” customer.

While new customer free bet offers are generally the best free bets of all, there is still the chance to secure free bets when you are an existing customer. Heading to the promotions or offers section of the website might reveal that there are different ways of generating free bet bonuses that can be credited to your account.

For example, many top betting sites have something called an Acca Club or a Loyalty Club, and this means that you can land betting offers on a regular basis if you place a certain number of bets within a specific time period. It might be that placing four bet builder bets in the space of a week means you’re credited with a free acca bet.

There are some bookies that will reward regular customers with free bet offers, and there could be a Rewards Club where you are able to chart your progress in order to understand how to land free bets along the way. There are also bookmakers that might give customers an in-play free bet if they place a pre-match bet on certain games.

Football Betting Offers

Many of us love betting on football and there are regularly offers regularly available when it comes to key competitions such as the Premier League, Champions League and World Cup. We’re talking about In-Play free bets, Acca Insurance, Money Back Specials and Price Boosts, while many new customers will also qualify for their welcome bonus by betting on football and then using their free bet on a different match.

Bookmakers vary on whether they will offer cash out on bets placed with free bets. It's worth checking out each betting sites T's & C's before joining.

Brand	In-Play Football	Live Streaming - Football	Bet Builder Football	Claim Bonus
				Claim Bonus	18+. Min deposit £/€/$10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £/€/$10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.50) • Free Bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days • Free Bet stakes not included in returns • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager the bonus amount 40 times within 14 days • Casino Bonus expires after 60 days • https://www.begambleaware.org • Withdrawal restrictions, payment methods, country & T&C's Apply
				Claim Bonus	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.
				Claim Bonus	New Customers only; Min. deposit £15; Bonus amount 50% of deposit up to £50; Wager deposit and bonus 8x within 60 days; 4/5 Min. single odds or 2/5 min. acca selection odds; Max. stake contribution equal to the initial bonus; Certain bet types and payment methods excluded; See full terms; Terms apply; 18+

Horse Racing Free Bets

For most UK bookmakers, horse racing is one of the leading sports when it comes to turnover and it therefore means that they will have free bets available for the big meetings. Whether it’s the Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot or Glorious Goodwood, it’s likely that an operator might boost their its standard free bet and offer a new customer something special.

You might even find that a particular horse is the subject of a Price Boost so that you’re able to bet small stakes on a runner at 30/1 when the actual price should be evens. The winnings are sometimes paid in free bets and this is an excellent way of getting started, although you’ll often find a matched free bet as an alternative here.

Cheltenham Free Bets

We would say the Cheltenham Festival is the best time to either open a new bookmaker account or alternatively have an active existing bookie account. If you’re a new player, Cheltenham is the time to land the biggest bonuses with some firms, with this four-day meeting being a huge opportunity for bookmakers to land new players.

There are Money Back Specials, free bets if you back a winner at a certain price and the chance to enjoy a free bet if you bet on the opening race of each day of the meeting. A shrewd customer will end up generating a large number of bonuses throughout Cheltenham week.

Grand National Free Bets

The bookmakers tend to be split over the Grand National so you might not always find a free bet available for the Aintree extravaganza. Some firms will pull up the drawbridge and try to avoid once-a-year punters with their welcome bonus, although others are more generous and there’s the chance to have a free shot at backing the winner of the world’s most famous steeplechase.

Royal Ascot Free Bets

When it comes to flat horse race meetings in the UK, none are bigger than Royal Ascot, with five days of high-quality action taking place in front of huge crowds. This popular event leads the bookies to regularly pull out the stops with their free bets and you can often enjoy a more generous welcome bonus during Royal Ascot than you would find in a typical week.

Politics and TV Specials Free Bets

Betting on the next General Election or the US Presidential race can be interesting ways to spend your time and made even more interesting if you can find a Free Bet that lets you get into the action. TV series betting like Britain's Got Talent, Love Island Betting and I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here are hugely popular and leading bookmakers in the UK are usually willing to let all free bets they give new and existing customers be used on these Politics betting markets, or TV Special betting odds.

 

Brand	Daily Racing Specials	Live Streaming Racing	Ante Post Betting	Tote/Other Markets	Claim Bonus
					Claim Bonus	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.
					Claim Bonus	New customers. Max £10. 200% Odds Boost Token. Keep it fun - set your deposit limit. T&Cs apply. 18+. BeGambleAware.org
					Claim Bonus	18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit: £10, max £15 bonus, valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at a min. odds of 1/1 (2.00) or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible. Click to see full T&Cs

References

1. What is Matched Betting?
2. UK Gambling Commission

Free Bets FAQs

Can I use my free bet on mobile devices? + −

Yes, most bookmakers will allow you to claim the same free bet offer whether you’re betting on desktop or mobile. Almost all betting sites have at the very least mobile optimised sites for you to place your free bet wager on.

Are free bets available to new customers only? + −

The most generous free bets generally apply to new customers, although existing customers can regularly land free bets when it comes to big sporting events. Existing customers can also earn them if the betting site has a loyalty scheme in place, which can be found in the app’s terms and conditions.

What is a wagering requirement? + −

A wagering requirement is the number of times you have to play through a certain amount of money before you can qualify for a free bet or a bonus. Most free bet offers will have wagering requirements in the terms and conditions so it’s best to read these before signing up with a bookie.

Can I cash out with a free bet? + −

There is sometimes the chance to cash out your free bet. If this option is available, you should be able to see the cash out value after you have placed the bet. However, there will be times when free bet offers can’t be cashed out.

What are VIP and loyalty schemes? + −

These schemes are aimed at customers who bet with the same bookmaker on a regular basis. You can earn loyalty points, and VIP customers will get several perks including more free bet bonuses. These loyalty free bet offers will typically come around when you wager a certain number of times or amount in a given week.

Which betting sites give free bets to new players? + −

The vast majority of bookmakers will offer you a free bet when you get started. Take a look through our list and work out which free bet offer is the most appealing to you. Some will offer a no deposit free bet, whiles will require money deposited or a promo code to get your welcome bonus.

Can I use multiple free bets? + −

You can't open multiple accounts with the same bookmaker although there is no limit as to how many different free bets you can claim. Some customers take the welcome bonus from every bookie that is listed at on our website.

How do free bets work? + −

The vast majority of free bets are provided by a bookmaker when a customer registers a betting account, makes a first deposit and then places a first bet. The free bet is then credited and you can bet on a selection with the bonus cash.

I haven’t received my free bet stake return, what’s wrong? + −

Free bet stakes are generally not included in any returns. This is because you have staked bonus money as opposed to real money on the wager. You should bear this in mind when it comes to wagering with a free bet and find odds that will secure you a desirable return.

Are all payment methods eligible for free bets? + −

Not always. Read the terms and conditions carefully as new customers signing up with a new bookmaker may find that some prohibit e-wallet payment solutions such as Skrill, Neteller and PayPal from being eligible for a free bet offer or welcome bonus.

What does free bet returned mean? + −

Sometimes a bookmaker will include the free bet stake as part of your overall returns. So they will credit you with a bonus and you can bet in the knowledge that you will get the stake and the profit from that bet.

What is the best betting app? + −

The best betting app generally comes down to the eye of the beholder. Some will want the best free bets on offer, others will seek a quick withdrawal time and there will be punters who want a great betting app. At transparentbets.com we have reviewed all the top betting sites so you can find the right one for you.

What betting apps give free bets? + −

Any betting app worth your time will at least provide betting offers when signing up. Most will also have some form of loyalty scheme where you can earn regular free bet offers when wagering a certain number of times or amount of money in a given week. transparentbets.com has information on all the best apps offering free bets.