Are Free Bets Really Free?
Well, isn’t that the question of all questions?
From a regular punter’s perspective, there is nothing wrong in seeking ways to get the best out of your betting experience ad with that in mind the Free Bets are supposed to make it happen.
Do they, though?
To make it simple straight from the top – the answer to that burning question is not easy as Yes and No. Betting universe is filled with different types of sportsbooks and betting sites who offer different kinds of Free Bets and, of course, various bonus attractions to draw new customers.
Free Bet are usually promoted as the sing-up incentive and although they look like a great reason to choose a particular betting site, you need to make sure to read the terms and conditions, compare them to other bookies and then – and only then – make your decision, once you have learned if those free bets we are talking about pay in money or not.
Skimming through various betting sites will yield three of the most commonly used phrases that tend to confuse new players: Promo Cash, Free Bet and Risk-Free Bet.
Promotional Cash
Never mind the word cash as you won’t be able to see any of it in this feature. What bookies do with this term is attract new customers with a virtual amount to bet with. It is all great, but you need to have in mind that your stake is not returned in case you win – just the winnings you made.
In short, the promo cash can be used as the initial stake, which then gets deducted from the winnings. Still, not to be too harsh on the bookies, any potential cash you win on top of the Promo Cash can sometimes be a good incentive to get you going, right?
Free Bet
Unlike the promo cash, Free Bet often requires players to make a deposit before a bookmaker goes on to match the invested amount as ‘free bet’ you can then place on a range of selected events.
Note that those events often include games and matches which are less likely to go your way or those which are well over certain odds you find acceptable. Additionally, some markets will not be available for free betting, which can make this option quite limiting.
Ultimately, it needs to be pointed out that Free Bets often require punters to wager an additional sum of money before they can actually make a withdrawal.
Risk Free Bet
The title is well enough to lead you into a conclusion. Risk-Free bets are supposed to include the option to reclaim your investment if your bets don’t go through. Don’t think that you will be able to get the money back in your pockets and wallets however, as these risk-free bets are often returned as free bets.
If you insist on withdrawing it, the bookies will require you to make an additional wager in order to get your money, thus making a new risk of losing the wagered amount. Investing more money on new bets does not seem like a fair way to go about with something that is supposed to be betting without any risks.
Best 10 New Bookmakers
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£30 | SIGN UP HERE |
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18+. New Players Only. Min deposit £20. Offer is a £30 free bet when you bet £10 in one single transaction, on any sports at odds of 2.00 or higher. Free bet credited upon qualifying bet settlement. Free Bet can be redeemed on any sports market and used in one single transaction. Winnings credited as cash and immediately withdrawable. Free bet expires 7 days after being credited. Free Bets non withdrawable. Free Bet stakes not included in returns. Affordability checks apply. Terms apply. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org. |
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£30 | SIGN UP HERE |
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18+ New customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £30 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org |
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£20 | SIGN UP HERE |
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New verified customers only. Opt-in required. Deposit £20 and earn £1 of Free Bet value for every £1 staked on Bet Builders, with each qualifying stake counting towards a free bet builder reward, at combined odds of 2.0 (1/1) or greater. Min Reward: £1 Free Bet / Max Reward: £20 Free Bet. Cash in or claim within 48 hours of promo end. Free Bets expire 7 days after claim. 18+ GambleAware.org |
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£25 | SIGN UP HERE |
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New customers only. Bets placed on sports at odds of 2.50 or more to qualify. Bets must be placed 25 hours within registration. £25 free bets must be wagered on sports. Full terms below. Gambling can be addictive, play responsibly 18+ |
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£10 | SIGN UP HERE |
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18+. New GB customers referred by selected marketing partners only. Activate the sports welcome offer on your first deposit and opt in to sports bonuses and marketing. Deposit £10+ and place a £10+ sports bet at odds of 2.00+. £10 Free Bet credited after the qualifying bet settles. Use within 24 hours at odds of 2.00+. Free bet stake not returned. Voided, cashed-out or partially cashed-out bets do not qualify. Cash funds are used before free bets. Cannot be combined with the casino welcome offer. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. |
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£20 | SIGN UP HERE |
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New online customers only. Register and place a £/€5+ first bet at 1/1 (2.0)+ on sports or racing within 7 days. Get a £/€10 Tote Credit and £/€10 Free Sports Bet within 48 hours of settlement. Voided/non-runner bets don’t qualify. Rewards expire in 7 days. 18+. One per customer. Selected customers only. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org. |
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£30 | SIGN UP HERE |
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*New members only. £10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2x£5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware®. 18+ |
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£30 | SIGN UP HERE |
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New customers place your first bet of £10 at minimum odds of 1/1 on any sports market within 7 days of registering. Get £20 in ACCA Free Bets (2x£10 Acca Free bet (2+ selections, pre-match or in-play/live, min odds per leg 2/5 (1.4), max payout £50) . Full terms apply. 18+ begambleaware. Please gamble responsibly. |
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£30 | SIGN UP HERE |
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18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet up to £40 (min. £20) via mobile or app on any football (odds 1/1+) within 7 days of registration. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets, which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly |
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£100 | SIGN UP HERE |
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*New UK/IE customers . Place your first Football bet as an Accumulator (minimum four selections) and AK Bets will boost the return by 25% in the form of a Free Bet up to a value of £100. 18+ BeGambleAware.org." |
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