Free bets are bonuses that allow punters to place a bet without using their real money balance. Of course, you can only use the free bet at the bookmaker that issued the reward.

You can come across various types of free bets, and each one has distinctive rules. There are instances where the free bet is a welcome bonus, but many bookies provide these rewards as offers for registered users. Operators also add those rewards as VIP perks.

How Do Free Bets Work?

The free sports bets have different requirements, but in most cases, they will let the punter wager on something for free. Bettors will know the amount of their bet, and they will have to follow other requirements. For example, free bets often demand people to punt on specific markets and/or odds.

If a bettor predicts the free bet, the latter’s amount will not be added to the overall winnings. In other words, using a $10 free bet on odds of 2.00 will result in winning $10 when you remove the initial wager.

Types of Free Bets

Nowadays, modern bookmakers have an extensive portfolio of free bets. You can often come across the general bonus, as well as specific free bets for some sports. For example, there are free football bets, free bets for eSports, tennis, and all of the other sports.

Aside from the sport you can use them for, free bets have several other types. I have reviewed the most popular ones, so keep reading to learn more. There could be even more options because most bookmakers provide their own variation of this proposal.

Matched Free Bets

Many people believe these are the best free bets because players get a bonus equal to the amount used to wager. For example, bettors who deposit and bet $10 will get $10 in free bets.

Typically, the matched free bets are available for new customers, but there might be exceptions. To claim it, people may have to opt in for the proposal and follow the bookie’s specific rules.

Matched Deposit

The matched deposit offer is very similar to the matched free bets. However, instead of granting users free bets online for the amount they’ve wagered, the operator will reward them with a prize that depends on their deposit.

These rewards have multiple forms, and each one comes with its own bonus percentage. In most cases, new clients can access a 100% match reward, but registered users often have access to lower bonus percentages.

Loyalty Bonus Bets

As mentioned earlier, there are many instances where you may get free bets today just to be loyal to the bookmaker. Brands are often looking to reward those who use their site more than the rest. Consequently, they can come up with many different free bet variations.

Claiming the loyalty bonus bets usually requires you to accept the reward via an in-game message. However, there are instances where bookies will provide this reward via email.

Free Bets No Deposit

The no deposit free bets allow users to obtain the reward without making a deposit or placing a bet. Every bookmaker has different policies regarding them. There are cases where users must verify their accounts, download an app, or do something else.

Another specific element about the free bets no deposit is their amount. Usually, they are around $10 or even less than that. People who want to get them must follow the specific operator’s rules.

Enhanced Odds Bonus

With this type of bonus, bettors can get enhanced odds when betting on a specific selection. Depending on the operator, clients may get it when placing their first bet or as a bonus for existing users.

What’s specific about the enhanced odds promotions is that they have a restricted stake. Also, they often have restricted winnings, meaning players can’t win more than the maximum amount. To get them, bettors may have to opt in and place a qualifying bet.

Reload Bonus Free Bets

The reload bonuses free bets become available after making a transaction. Each bookmaker has specific rules players must follow to obtain his reward. You should pay attention to the timing, the size of your deposit, do you have to use it on a particular day, and so on.

Like most other free bet bonuses, these ones will require you to opt in. However, there might be additional requirements, such as having a verified profile or verified phone number.

Cash Back Free bets

Although the cashback free bets were not that popular before, nowadays, you can find them all the time. This is a promotion that will give people a free bet if they place a bet with their own money and lose. The free bet amount usually depends on the initial wager, and it can be 100%, 50%, 25%, or something else of that amount.

Cash back free bets are often given to new customers, but there are bookies that will also reward existing users. In most cases, people don’t need to do anything special to activate the deal because it will be on.

Compensation Free Bets to Unfair Outcomes

Often called justice payments, these types of free bets are rare. However, some bookmakers want to keep their clients happy, so they give them free bets in specific cases, such as match-fixing.

Considering these proposals’ rarity and the situations when you can get them, you don’t need to do something specific. The bookmaker will let you know when you are eligible.

Fixed Amount Free bets

The fixed amount free bets, as their name implies, will give you a specific amount of money as a free bet when you meet specific requirements. The latter vary and can include a deposit, placing a bet, completing another task, and more.

What’s specific about the fixed amount of free bets is that you may be able to use them across several sports.

Free Bets with Sign Up

These types of free bets become available after creating an account. There are several variations, but the classic one will require you to meet a minimum deposit amount. However, there are instances where the operator may grant a free bet just for registering.

Depending on the situation, players must opt-in to get the reward or contact customer support.

Bet X get X in Free Bets

Speaking of sign-up free bets, you can often find bookmakers who even have a welcome offer of that kind. For example, you can come across bonuses called Bet $10, get $60, or something along those lines. In most cases, these are free football bets you will get once you meet the specific condition, in this case, betting with a minimum amount of money.

Free Bet Clubs

Some bookmakers are trying to be more innovative than others and provide the so-called Free Bet Clubs. These types of propositions are rare, and each one is different.

With that said, I found some similarities because most free bet clubs will reward users who place a certain number of bets during the week. Some brands will require punters to wager every day of the week, whereas others require a minimum bet amount. In other words, most bookies offer this service to their regular and loyal customers.

Free Bet Concessions

The free bet concessions are usually offered to people who place bets on horse racing, but they can be available for other sports. With these concessions, you have an easier time getting a particular reward when something happens. Usually, the free bet concessions will not have any wagering requirements, meaning you can get your reward as soon as you want.

How to Use Free Bets

To use free bets, clients usually have to go through these steps:

Choose a bookie, register, or log in to an existing account.
Opt-in for a promotion (optional).
Make a deposit (if you have not done that already).
Go to the sportsbook and choose something you can use your free bet on.
Select your desired income (remember there might be specific market restrictions).
Check your bet slip to see if your free bet is active. Usually, there will be a box that will indicate it. In situations where it is not applied, enter your stake amount (use the same amount as the free bet).
Confirm the bet.

Of course, this procedure can be very different, depending on the type of free bet. As we have seen, some rewards become available once you make a qualifying deposit, whereas others are only for loyal clients.

Most Common Terms and Conditions

Something key to remember is that every bookmaker and casino has different rules regarding the free bets. Therefore, it is up to you to learn more about them before using the specific propositions.

With that said, there are specific rules that are available to most operators when it comes to free bets. They include:

You must wager on a specific sport and/or market – In most cases, free bets are limited to a specific sport and/or market. You won’t be able to use those rewards on something else.
Wagering requirements – Sometimes, bookmakers may impose wagering requirements if you win something with the free bet. Nevertheless, many operators do not impose such a requirement.
Duration – Most free bets are valid for a couple of days after getting them.
Maximum winnings – All free bets have a maximum winnings limit. This means that users know the maximum amount they can win before using this promotion.
Minimum Odds – The majority of free bets will require people to wager on markets with specific odds. Most bookmakers set the line at 1.50, but there are cases where it can be much higher than that.
Restriction of using specific features – Although bookmakers may offer features, such as Cash Out, you may not be able to use them while having an active selection made with a free bet. People who do not follow the requirements will void their bet.
Bet restrictions – Most free bets bookmakers have in stock will require you to place single bets or Accumulators. Sadly, they often have specific rules against system bets and other options.

How to Choose The Best Free Bets Option For You?

Choosing the best free bet option for you can be daunting, especially when there is more than one alternative. However, there are specific criteria you should pay attention to.

Starting with the minimum deposit amount, you must know (if this rule applies) how much you must deposit to get the free bet. There might be situations where obtaining this perk is not worth it because you must deposit way more than the actual reward.

In situations where the free bet requires you to place a bet, check the amount you must wager. Once again, you may have to bet much more than what you will receive from the free bet.

You also have to check what kind of bet you can place using the reward. Users also have to pay attention to the odds, the number of events they must wager, what kind of sport they have to use it for, and more. It’s also extremely important to know the proposition’s duration.

Alongside everything mentioned so far, bettors have to check if there is any wagering requirement, as well as the bookie’s reputation. Many people underestimate the latter, but there are many brands that are famous for providing their clients with the best free bets.

Finally, when choosing free bets, clients must also consider their local legislation. I have talked to a lot of people who want to use different types of FB offers, but they can’t because they are illegal in their country of residence.

Betting Apps with Free Bets

A lot of people like using mobile devices to bet on sports, so it’s no surprise there are betting apps with free bets. These operators have cross-platform promotions and apps for Android and iOS. As a result, people who start using them can take advantage of the free bets while placing bets on the go.

There are many different operators that have betting apps with free bets, such as:

Free Cheltenham Bets

Bettors can find many different kinds of free bets for various sports, including horse racing. Most bookies will let their clients bet on several big horse racing competitions, such as the Cheltenham Festival. Some of these brands know the importance of this event for horse racing fans, so they often decide to offer unique free bets.

There are loads of examples out there, such as Coral, which has an appealing Cheltenham offer. People who decide to use the bookie can sign up, deposit, and get a free bet.

Other world-class gambling sites, like Bet365, also offer free bets for Cheltenham. The reward changes regularly, so users will find a different prize each time they visit the site.

Since the Cheltenham festival is big in the UK, one of the leading brands there, called Betfred, also has special offers for this horse racing event.

My colleagues and I are huge horse racing fans, so we’ve also prepared a list of the best Cheltenham Festival bookmakers and their pros and cons. This article will help those of you who are not sure which brand to trust.

Free Bets UK

Sports betting is popular in many countries, but everyone knows that the UK is in a league of its own. The country is home to many different sports betting operators, so due to the high competition, a lot of them offer unique free bets. I have analyzed some of the best offers you can find, so here are the companies that are worth checking:

Pros & Cons of Free Bets

Pros
Great for wagering on the sport you like
Easy to use
You can win something without spending money (depending on the free bet itself)
These rewards are usually cross-platform, meaning you can use them on the go
You can use the free bet to test your betting skills

Cons
In some instances, you must wager and/or deposit more money than the reward
Most free bets have different restrictions

Final Verdict

No one can deny the fact that free bets are extremely popular. Almost all big iGaming operators have at least one free bet offer, but I expect their number to rise even more in the future.

Considering there are so many free bet types to choose from, bettors have to be careful which offer they pick. Some look better than others on paper, but the truth is that it all depends on the bookmakers’ rules. So, before choosing any of the propositions, read all the important rules.

FAQ

How to calculate the potential earnings from my free bets?

You can calculate your potential free bet earnings by using a free bet calculator. If that’s not available, you can just do the maths using the specific odds format.

Can I withdraw my free bets?

No, you usually can’t withdraw your free bets. In fact, if you win something while using them, the free bet amount itself will not be included in your winnings.

What’s specific about free casino bets?

The free casino bets are usually associated with other casino bonuses, such as free spins or deposit bonuses. In other words, most casinos that provide this perk also have a sportsbook.

What’s specific about free football bets?

Most free football bets will work only if you punt on a specific league and choose pre-determined markets. There are also instances where you will have to bet on a particular match.

How to get free bets?

You can get free bets by visiting one of the many betting websites that provide these offers. Some free bets are available for new customers, whereas others are only available to registered users.

Article Content