Free Bets Explained – Are They Really Free?


Betting operators cohabitate in a competitive arena which often requires bookies to go to great lengths in order to attract new customers.

As they fight for your attention, betting sites come up with new ways to separate themselves from the crowd and offer great incentives and perks for new or existing customers in order to expand and keep their customer base.

One of the most common methods used by all major sportsbooks out there are Sing-Up bonuses, enhanced offers and New Customer offers most of which usually come in for of free bets.

So, what actually are those free bets and are they really free?

Before we answer this obvious question, let’s all take a moment to understand that bookies are lucrative businesses which cater to millions of users globally. With their eyes firmly set on making profit – like any other business for that matter – giving anything for FREE in the core sense of this word is highly unlikely.

As appealing as they sound, promotional incentives which include free bets often hold more than what’s revealed through a glance on the bet itself, so it is highly recommended to have a read through bookie’s terms and conditions to get a proper look on all pros and cons of a free bet.

Even though free bets come in various shapes and sizes – going from 100% matched bets to offers which reward you with many times the value of your first bet – all of them will require you bettors to make a deposit first and spend money before you are granted to have anything for free.

The three main categories of Free Bets exist, coming in forms of:

  • Free Bet
  • Promotional Cash
  • Risk Free Bet

Bookies promote free bets as perfect way to place a bet without actually having to spend any of your money. That actually is what word free means in the first place, but in terms of betting it usually means that you are required to make a deposit which will then be matched with an amount that can go up to 100% to maximum $200 with Bet365.

The free bet cannot be withdrawn as it is a virtual amount of money you will be steered to use at some of the less profitable markets, since many of the bookies will make a provision that free bets can be made on at least one selection with odds equal to or higher than 1/1.

Ultimately, any possible withdrawal will require more money of your own and the same thing goes for the Promotional Cash as well which is a convenient term coined by the bookies themselves to get you drawn in.

Promotional cash is not meant to be kept or withdrawn and it can only be spent on selected and restricted markets.

Risk Free Bets are used to help you feel better once your selection fails. Bookies will give you your money back if your team loses, but that doesn’t mean that you can pick that money up and go home. You will be able to spend it through more wagering and basically the only thing that is free here is another chance to spend – or some would say – lose your money all over again.

A bettor should be well-informed prior to going over to claim any of those free bets, as they most often entail more than what initially meets the eye.

Best 10 New Bookmakers

£20 SIGN UP HERE

Place a qualifying £10 fixed odds bet at odds of 1/2 or greater. No in-play or cashed out early. A first free £10 fixed odds bet will be credited upon settlement of the qualifying bet. Second free £10 fixed odds bets will be added on the following day. Free bets must be claimed within 28 days of opening. Free bet stake not included in any winnings. Ts&Cs Apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

£40 SIGN UP HERE

New customers only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet to receive 6 x Free Bets: 4 x £10 Horse racing, 2 x £10 Acca Free Bets. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

£25 SIGN UP HERE

T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. You must place 3 x £10 sportsbook bets to qualify. Money back as free bets up to £25. Must use code welcome25afs when creating an account.

0 SIGN UP HERE
£30 SIGN UP HERE

T&Cs apply. New cust only. Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 Horse Racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.

£40 SIGN UP HERE

18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet via mobile up to £40 (min. £20) on any football market at odds of 2.00+, in 7 days. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly.

£50 SIGN UP HERE

Full T&Cs apply. New UK and ROI customers only. The qualifying bet should be a single bet, start at £/€10, and have 1.9 or greater odds. 5 Free bets include: 1 x £10 Free bet on horse racing, 1 x £10 Free bet on football, 2 x 10 Free bet in-play, 1 x £10 Free bet Acca. 7 day expiry.

£25 SIGN UP HERE

18+ New Accounts Only. Min stake £10. Max Refund £100. refunds as Free bets. Win or or win part of E/W single bets only. Exclude multiple & ante post bets. Excludes multiple bets such as lucky 15s etc. Applies to cash stakes only. Free bets must be used in their entirety and to be credited within 24 hours. Full T&C's apply.

£60 SIGN UP HERE

*18+. For NEW UK customers only. Requires account opening. Deposit using UK debit card and certain qualifying bets of Evens or greater.

£5 SIGN UP HERE

18+ and begambleaware.org, If your first bet doesn’t win, you’ll get your stake back (up to £5) as a Free Bet within 72 hours!