This type of promotion simply gives you some form of compensation in case of near misses.

What is the “Stake not returned” rule?

Essentially, it allows punters to place a bet without using their own money. Free bets are usually awarded as part of sign-up offers, betting promotions or as loyalty rewards and they are great for allowing players to explore new markets, try out strategies or different sports without having to use their own money. They can come in several shapes and sizes - ‘Bet and Get’ offers, matched deposit offers, reload rewards and more - which we will look at later. Free bets are typically straightforward to claim. To use a free bet, follow these general steps: Qualify: Free bets will normally be awarded after you have met certain criteria - such as making an initial deposit or placing a qualifying bet.

Get £30 in Free Bets, when you Bet £10

Qualify: Free bets will normally be awarded after you have met certain criteria - such as making an initial deposit or placing a qualifying bet. Receive: Once you have qualified, the bookmaker will credit your account with the free bet, usually as soon as your qualifying bet has been settled. Bet: Choose an eligible market or event and add your selection to the betting slip. Select the option to use your free bet instead of real money. Wait and See: When using the free bet, you won't be using your own money.

Double Down on Your Fancied Selections

If your bet wins, usually you will receive the winnings of the bet, minus the stake amount of the free bet. Knowing the latest offers, what they are and how they work is essential before parting with any money. We make sure that we regularly update all the offers on our page, so you always have the latest information at your fingertips. Make sure you check back regularly to see what the newest free bet offers are. Once you know what’s on offer, you’ll need to know how to claim these bets. Bookmakers simply use free bet promotions to attract and keep customers.

  • Some offers require a minimum odds threshold, such as 1.80 or greater, for the qualifying bet.
  • Free bets are often non-withdrawable and only the profit from the wager is returned as cash.
  • The value of a free bet is usually not included in any returns calculated from a winning bet.
  • Most free bet tokens have an expiration date, commonly 7 days from being credited.
  • Geographic restrictions often apply; check if the offer is valid in your country of residence.
  • Free bets may be restricted to specific football competitions like the Champions League or FA Cup.

However, it's important to note that only winnings from these promotions can be withdrawn into a user's bank account - and not the actual free bet itself. That doesn’t make them any less valuable though.

Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets

No deposit free bets are rare - and are usually popular with punters. They are essentially betting offers where you can receive free bets without having to deposit your own money. Another hugely popular free bet offer is enhanced or boosted odds for specific one-off games or events. Some of the biggest and best bookmakers like Paddy Power frequently provide substantial odds boosts for specific games and matches - to attract new customers. For this type of free bet offer, the maximum stake is usually quite small (normally between £1 and £5).

100% up to £50 Welcome Bonus

However - as the name suggests, the odds are massively increased, sometimes reaching as high as 50/1. This type of offer is particularly common when major events are coming up - like the Champions League final - or maybe a clash between Man City and Liverpool. Although the new players' free bets bonuses are generally bigger than existing player free bet rewards, that’s not to say you won’t find plenty of great options out there. Here are some of the best types of free bets offers aimed at existing customers: This type of free bet offer can be used for both new players and existing customers. Essentially, the site will give you your stake back if your bet doesn’t win. Indeed, players have the potential to win real money from their free bets - as long as they meet specified criteria such as minimum stake and odds.

Bookmaker App Exclusive Offer How to Claim App Store Rating
Sky Bet Bet £5 Get £20 Free (App Only) Download app & place first bet. 4.7
bet365 £50 in Free Bets for Mobile New Customers Open account via mobile & deposit. 4.6
Unibet Money Back up to £40 if First Acca Loses Place first acca via the app. 4.4
Virgin Bet Bet £10, Get £20 Free Bet + 20 Free Spins Opt-in and bet via iOS/Android. 4.5

If they win their free bet - and all of the terms are met, players can then claim their winnings, just minus the free bet stake.

  • Bet365's "Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets" is a long-standing popular offer for new customers.
  • William Hill frequently provides "Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets" for new sign-ups.
  • Paddy Power often runs "Risk-Free Bet" offers where stakes are returned as a free bet if the bet loses.
  • Sky Bet's "Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets" is a lower-entry option for newcomers.

Eligibility: These specify who can claim the offer - often tied to new customers or existing users.

Best of Free Bets Offers By Sport

You will be able to claim the 3 x £5 free Total Goals football spread bets, 3 x free £5 racing Winning Favourites spread bets and free £1 racing Race Index spread bet if you hold a full spread betting account. Whilst these are free bets, please remember that when Spread betting it is possible to incur losses that exceed your initial stake. Free bets expire 28 days after being awarded, if unused. Promotions available to 18+ aged individuals who are registered customers of Spreadex. Another popular sportsbook is Spreadex, which currently offers £60 in free bets when you sign up for a new sports betting account and make a qualifying £10 bet.

Bet £10 and get £50 in Free Bets

These free bets will be spread out over the next couple of days: You’ll receive a £10 free fixed odds bet plus a £5 free Total Goals football spread bet and a £5 racing Winning Favourites spread bet when your qualifying bet is settled. Then, over the next 24 hours, you’ll receive even more free bets! This is a site that specialises in spread betting, and you get to try it out first-hand with its unique spread betting free bets welcome bonus! £/€10 min stake on racing pools only (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place). Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 Free Bet and 20 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement.

Netbet — Bet £10 get £20

Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet slip 7-day expiry. Last, but certainly not least, we have Tote, which is a site dedicated to horse racing and football betting. Rather than try its hand at everything, it does just two things… but does them well! However, in order to claim the £30 free bet bonus, you will need to make your qualifying £10 bet on horse racing. A Free Bet, often referred to as a bonus bet, is a popular promotion that is offered by bookmakers to attract new players and to retain its existing customer base. They might also only be available to players in certain regions etc.

What can I use my Free Bets on?

In most instances, you will receive your stake back (normally up to a set limit such as £20) in the form of a free bet. You can then use this free bet to have another go. Usually, to qualify for this offer, you'll need to place a bet with a specific stake amount and odds. This type of free bet offer is also sometimes referred to as a refund bonus. Bookmakers offer various promotions for existing customers, and many of the best - including Sky Bet and Paddy Power will even have loyalty reward clubs. Qualifying Bet: Most free bets will require a qualifying bet to be placed, which could involve a minimum stake, odds or specific bet types.

Our Favourite Free Bets Offer in UK

Then we also have Betfair, which also rewards loyal players with a plethora of free bet offers. However, remember to check the expiry dates for these free bets - and make sure you use them before you lose them. Insurance free bets are a popular promotion in sports betting - particularly in the world of accumulator bets. They basically offer a safety net for bettors placing accumulator (acca) bets - which combine a number of different selections into one bet. If one selection in the accumulator bet loses, the bookmaker will either refund your stake or provide you with a free bet of equal value. Expiry Dates: Free bets usually come with an expiry date. If they are not used within the specified time, they will become invalid.

Get the Latest Free Bets

Well, the qualifying criteria generally will vary depending on which bookmaker you use and what type of offer it is. So, with that being said, let’s take a look at some of the different types of free bets out there. Understanding the different types of free bets is important. You need to make sure you are picking the right free bet offer for you - to maximise your stake and get the best value. Rather than simply picking the one with the highest value, you need to make sure that you compare the offers carefully, read the small print and choose the free bet that best aligns with the type of bet you want to make, your budget and your risk tolerance.

How can I earn/claim them?

With that being said, here are some of the main types of free bets you will come across at the top betting sites The biggest and best free bet offers are usually reserved for new players. So, here are some of the most common different new player free bets bonuses to look out for: Once you've met all the requirements, you'll get the free bets credited into your account. You can then use your free bets to potentially generate real winnings. While such offers are pretty much available year-round, you’ll often find that the best horse racing betting sites will have particularly generous offers during major betting events like the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot etc, giving you the perfect opportunity to get in on the action. Matched deposit betting offers are less common than standard free bet offers at betting sites - as these are usually the domain of online casinos.

List of example bookie offers:

However, these deals generally involve rewarding you with bonus funds that you can spend on bets - and are usually quite a substantial amount (normally over £100). However, these offers usually come with wagering requirements which can be quite large. As such, fulfilling these requirements can be tricky, especially if you have claimed the full amount: So, for example, if you claim a £100 match deposit bonus with 35x wagering requirements, you will need to place bets amounting to 35 x £100 = £3,500 before you can withdraw the bonus and any winnings you get from the bonus. Moreover, there will also be a timeframe in which you need to fulfil those requirements. So, for example, if you claim a £100 match deposit bonus bet early cash out betting apps with 35x wagering requirements, you will need to place bets amounting to 35 x £100 = £3,500 before you can withdraw the bonus and any winnings you get from the bonus. Bet Type: Some bookies may limit the type of bets that can be placed using free bets - such as singles or accumulators for example.

  • Free bet offers are highly competitive, with bookmakers using them to attract new customer sign-ups.
  • The value of free bet offers tends to increase during major football transfer windows.
  • Regional bookmakers may provide more lucrative free bets in local leagues to gain market share.
  • The regulatory environment can impact the generosity and frequency of free bet promotions.
  • Responsible gambling tools allow you to set limits, which may restrict access to some promotions.
  • Always ensure you are claiming offers from licensed and regulated gambling operators.

Market Restrictions: Free bets are also often restricted to specific sports, events or markets.

Tournament Common Promo Type Typical Max Free Bet
FIFA World Cup Enhanced Sign-Up Offers, Money-Back Specials £50
UEFA Champions League Accumulator Boosts, Early Payout Offers £20
English Premier League Weekly Free Bets, 2 Goals Up Early Payout £10-£20
FA Cup Money Back if Draw, Extra Place Specials £10

Cashout Restrictions: Often, free bets are not eligible for cashing out.

Restriction Type Details Commonly Excluded Countries Impact
Geographic Restrictions Offers only valid for residents of specific countries. USA, France, Italy, Turkey VPN use can lead to account closure.
One Offer per Household Linked by IP address, payment method, or address. Applies to all major UK bookmakers Prevents creating multiple accounts for bonuses.
Minimum Deposit Must deposit a minimum amount to unlock free bet. Typically £5, £10, or £20 Ensures customer commitment.
Verification Required Must verify identity before free bet is withdrawable. Standard KYC checks (ID, address) Mandatory for licensed UK operators.
Using Free Bets on Different Football Market Types
Market Suitability for Free Bets Reasoning Example Bet
Match Result (1X2) High Simple, wide range of odds available. Free bet £10 on Liverpool to win at 2.0
Both Teams to Score Medium Often close to evens odds, good for maximizing value. Yes at 1.90
Correct Score Low Very high odds but very low probability. 2-1 at 8.5
Over/Under Goals High Clear parameters, odds often suitable for requirements. Over 2.5 goals at 1.80
Accumulator Check T&Cs Often not allowed, or only partial stake covered. 4-fold acca

Stake Not Returned: In most cases, the free bet stake won’t be included in any returns, only the profits from the bets. So, whereas in a standard 2/1 bet, if you placed a bet of £10, you would win £20 plus get your £10 stake returned. However, when using a free bet, you would only receive the £20 winnings.