Free bets are a popular promotion offered by online sportsbooks as part of welcome bonuses, ongoing promos, and loyalty programs. They are made available when you deposit and wager a specific amount at a sportsbook.
Many of the world’s leading online bookies promote free bet offers, and they’re understandably popular with sports betting fans. Here, we introduce you to three of the best free bet welcome bonuses currently available and explain how to get started at an online sportsbook with free bets today.
Free bets are one of the best betting bonuses and offers, and lots of online sportsbooks offer free wagers to new and existing customers. That being said, some offers are easier to access than others. Here are three of the best betting sites with free bets that offer great value to all sports bettors:
New customers at bet365 can access one of the best free bets promotions that has been available since March 2023. When you create an account at bet365 and deposit at least £5, you can earn a 300% bonus in free bets. So, if you opt for the minimum deposit of just £5, you will receive £15 in free bets. It’s possible to deposit a maximum of £10 for a maximum of £30 in free bet credits.
After making your deposit at bet365, you need to place a qualifying wager with at least one selection at odds of 1.20 or greater. The bet credits will be made available immediately after your qualifying bet settles, and they will remain in your account for 90 days. This is a relatively long time for bonus bets to be available, as many sportsbook promotions expire in just 7 days.
You can then choose from a huge selection of sporting markets for your free wagers, including mainstream pursuits like football, golf, cricket, and tennis, as well as niche sports like speedway, trotting, and futsal. The welcome bonus at bet365 is one of the best online free bets promotions for those who prefer smaller deposits and is the perfect option if you’re looking to get started at a leading sportsbook with a huge selection of sporting markets.
As a new customer at Betway, you can choose from one of two welcome bonuses that offer you free bets today:
Unibet is one of the best betting sites with free bets because you can choose which promotion to take advantage of. When it comes to welcome bonuses at most betting sites, you get what you get. The acca promotion is a great option if you enjoy placing football and horse racing multiples, as you can receive up to £30 in free bet credits should your initial wager lose.
Betfred is another of the leading betting sites with free bets, offering good value sports betting options to help you get started. As a new customer at Betfred, you can access £30 in free bets when you deposit and then place a £10 wager. The free bets will be added to your account within ten hours of the qualifying bet settlement, but in our experience, this timeframe can vary, and you may need to contact Betfred customer support for an update.
There are several payment restrictions attached to the Betfred free bets, and you won’t qualify if you add funds to your account via an e-wallet or pre-paid card. What’s more, the £30 free bet credits will only be available for seven days, so you need to use them in this timeframe before they expire.
Provided that you adhere to the terms and conditions, the £30 free sports bets promo at Betfred is well worth using. Apart from the prospect of being a bankroll boost, the nice part is that there aren’t many limitations on the sports markets where you may place your first qualifying bet. You just have to make sure that it meets the 2.0 minimum odds.
Now that you’re aware of some of the betting sites with free bets, it’s time to look at how to make the most of these promotions to avoid missing out on the potential value. Here are some tips to help you utilise the best betting sign up bonuses throughout the season:
Some people take an experimental approach to the best free bets online and use them without much thought. But in reality, you should use them strategically and bet on sports that you’re familiar with to try and maximise your potential wins at the sportsbook.
Practically every promotion that offers free sports bets is limited to one per person, particularly those provided as part of a welcome package. Therefore, you should create accounts at multiple betting sites with free bets so you can use the promotion on several sites.
Even if you’re convinced of how a promotion works, you need to read the terms and conditions carefully and in full. Take the Betfred and bet365 offers as an example. They both offer up to £30 in free bets from a £10 wager, but they’re structured differently and come with unique restrictions. If you don’t read the terms and conditions carefully, you risk missing out on the promotion.
To make the most of the best free bets offered by online sportsbooks, you need to familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions of the offer, as touched on above. This is easier than you might think – simply click on the promotion when you visit the sportsbook and navigate to the terms and conditions listed below. Here are some key things to look out for:
| Terms & Conditions | Explained |
|---|---|
| Deposit Restrictions | At many sportsbooks, you need to deposit via a debit card to access the free bet promotion. Always check if any deposit methods are restricted before making a deposit. |
| Minimum Odds | You should make sure that your qualifying bet meets the minimum odds requirement stipulated by the sportsbook, which is usually 1.20 or higher. |
| Wagering Requirements | Though usually attached to casino promotions, wagering requirements are sometimes also attached to sportsbook free bets. This indicates how much of your own money you need to wager before withdrawing winnings from free bets. |
| Time Limits | Even the best free bets offers expire, and they won’t be in your sportsbook account forever. Whether it’s 7, 21, or 30 days, make sure you check how long you have to use the free bets before they disappear from your account. |
| Geo-Restrictions | Betting sites with free bets typically offer different promotions to customers in different regions. You should always check if there are any geo-restrictions attached to the promotion and access the offer that is available in your country. |
| Other Restrictions | You should also check for other restrictions attached to the offer. For instance, you might only be able to use the free bets on selected sports or markets (accumulators, for instance). |
When you have reviewed the terms and conditions attached to the offer, you can then create an account and make a deposit. It’s so important to do this before you make your deposit, as you only get one chance to make a first deposit, and if you misunderstand the terms, you will lose out on the free bets! This is true of any type of promotion, be it the best match deposit betting bonuses or regular ongoing promos offered by a sportsbook.
We love free bet promotions as they offer good value for money as you get started at an online sportsbook. After making an initial deposit and wager, you can use the free bets on a host of mainstream and niche sports.
The likes of Betfred, Betway, and bet365 are among the best betting sites with free bets and are the ideal option if you’re keen to get started today. So, create a free account at one of the top betting sites, make a deposit, and place a qualifying wager to access free bets that you can use on practically any sport, from soccer to softball at a leading online sportsbook.
Online free bets are sometimes offered by sportsbooks to provide value to new customers. When you create an account and make a specific deposit and initial wager, you can access the free bets to use on a host of sports betting markets at the site in question.
You should do research and know the available markets before using free bets – don’t just place random bets for the sake of it, just because they are free. If you research carefully and find good value, you can use free bets to your advantage.
There’s not necessarily a catch at betting sites with free bets, but there are lots of terms and conditions you need to be aware of. For instance, the free bets are issued as credits and not cash, and you need to use the credits within a specific time frame before they expire. Also remember that most free bets are never truly free, with most requiring a real deposit first to unlock them.
If you win a free bet, the sportsbook will pay out the winnings without the initial stake. Note that some free bets come with wagering requirements that must be satisfied before they pay out.
The main reason is to attract new customers and to provide sports bettors with good value. Free sports bets are also a good way for bookies to reward customer loyalty via ongoing promotions.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
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