Free Bets - May, 2024

Free Bets Explained

Online bookmakers and casinos give you these new customer offers to entice you to sign up, make a deposit, or wager on specific betting markets.

To claim new free bet offers in the UK, you usually need to open a new betting site account and make a minimum deposit or bet. However, many online bookies continue to reward you with these promotions long after you've enjoyed your new customer offer to deter you from placing sports bets with their competitors.

Whether it's a new player promo or loyalty reward, once you've fulfilled the requirements, you can use your free bet. Keep in mind that any winnings won't include the initial stake. For instance, if you wager a £20 free bet with odds of 4/1, instead of the usual £100 winnings, you'll receive £80 (£100 - £20 initial stake = £80).

Still, as these offers give a chance to win cash, they are excellent value.

Also, be aware that new free bet deals have an expiry date, so ensure the terms and conditions of the promotion work for you before claiming. We include this info with each free bet offer to help you quickly decide which sports betting deals are the best for you.

How We Get You the Best New Free Bet Bonuses

Our in-house team contacts bookmakers and online casinos directly to get you exclusive bonuses. We screen each platform to ensure the betting site offers you high-quality service. Therefore, all the platforms featured on this site hold a UK Gambling Commission operator licence and provide you with the following:

• Easy-to-use betting software that’s mobile compatible
• Quick withdrawals
• SSL encryption technology to protect your transactions and payment info
• A simple sign-up process
• Lucrative new customer offers
• Various existing customer deals
• Fair T&Cs with all promotions
• Competitive odds
• Various trusted payment methods
• A range of betting markets

Keep in mind that if an operator can’t give you all of the above, it doesn’t make the cut.

How To Choose the Best New Free Bet Offers

Although it’s tempting to favour new free bets that give you the highest amount of wagers, there are other factors you should consider when comparing the latest sports betting deals. Don’t know what to look out for? Ask yourself the questions outlined below to ensure you claim the best new free bet offers for you.

• How much do I have to deposit to activate the bonus?
• Will the free bets be credited to my account immediately?
• Do the time restrictions suit my betting style?
• If there is a cap on winnings, is it fair?
• Will I have to place any additional bets before I can cash out my free bet winnings?
• Can I use the free bets to place action on events or games that interest me?

Different Types of New Free Bet Offers

Top UK online bookmakers are constantly putting out different types of new free bet promotions. Learn what’s on offer to ensure you claim your perfect deal today.

• Stake not returned (SNR) bets – although you can win real cash using this type of promo, you won’t receive the initial stake if your bet comes off.
• Enhanced odds bonus – you get better odds on your bets if you claim this deal, making potential winning returns much higher.
• No deposit free bets – these offers reward you with a free bet just for signing up. Many consider these the best type of online betting promotion. Unfortunately, they’re pretty rare.
• Free bet match – when claiming these offers, a bookmaker will usually double your initial stake amount when making a wager.
• Deposit match – betting sites can sometimes match the amount you deposit. For instance, if you make a £10 payment when claiming a 100% deposit match, you will get £20 to spend on bets. Keep in mind that although you can claim these as an existing customer, sign-up deals are nearly always more generous.
• Risk-free bets - these promotions return your initial stake if you lose your bet.

How To Get Free Bets if You’re an Existing Customer

Due to fierce competition in the online gambling industry, bookmakers frequently reward existing customers with free bet offers to encourage you to stick with them. Promotional deals come in all shapes and sizes. Common free bet offers include:

• Reload bonuses – many bookies give you betting credits for making a min deposit.
• Free Bet clubs – these are essentially loyalty reward schemes that give you free bets if you place a certain number of bets within a set timeframe.
• Consolation prizes – if you narrowly lose your bet, some bookies will give you free betting credits to soften the blow.
• Justice payments – many free bet offers have a ‘fair play’ clause. For example, if you back a horse who stays in the stalls, you may receive a free bet as compensation.
• Random loyalty bonuses - some bookies gift you with free bet bonuses just for being an existing customer and using their services to place wagers.

Free Bet Terms & Conditions: What You Need to Know

Always read the terms and conditions of free bet promotions to ensure they suit your betting style. When checking the T&Cs, look out for the following:

• Bonus expiry - checking how long the deal is available ensures you don’t miss out on your free bet.
• Winning caps – some free bet offers have a cap on the amount you can win using your free bet credits/tokens.
• Wagering requirements - remember that you may have to wager a multiple of your initial deposit before you can cash out your free bet winnings.
• Minimum odds requirements - keep in mind that you may be unable to place the bet on favourites. Eligibility - make sure where you live, or any other circumstances don’t rule you out of the promotion.
• Minimum deposit amounts - most offers require you to make a minimum payment to activate the deal.
• Accepted deposit methods - some deposit methods, such as pay by phone, may be ineligible for specific deals.
• Bet credits - some offers give you winnings in extra complimentary wagers
• Eligible bet types - sometimes only certain bet types are allowed (singles, multiples, etc.)

Online betting expert tip: if you’re unsure about anything when reading the terms and conditions of a free bet promo, contact one of the site’s customer service agents to get comprehensive explanations. You can also practice your betting skills for free with Tipya.com, a free betting tips site that lets you place virtual bets in a social environment.

New Free Bet Wagering Requirements

Also known as turnover or playthrough, wagering requirements stipulate how many times the deposit and/or bonus funds must be wagered before you can withdraw any cash won from your free bets. For instance, if you claim a £10 free bet bonus with a 2x wagering requirement, you have to bet a total of £20 ( £10 x 2) before you can cash out.

Many free bet bonuses aren’t subject to these turnover clauses. However, if they have wagering requirements, they are low, between 0x and 5x the bonus funds. Yet playthrough requirements of casino bonuses are usually between 30x and 40x the bonus funds.

The Difference Between Free bets and Bonuses

These types of deal overlap: bonuses are any type of promotional offer (including free bets), but free bets are limited to sports betting markets - such as football, horse racing, etc.

Bonuses can “boost” your bets (give you better odds) or reward you with bonus cash to spend in the site’s casino lobby. Be aware that any deals you can use to play online casino games (such as free spins on slots) can have high wagering requirements, so always read the T&Cs before claiming to find out if they suit your betting style.