Free Bets UK

What is a free bet?

If you've ever placed a bet, then you're probably familiar with how free bets work. They are essentially bonus funds that are awarded when you deposit or place a bet for the first time with a bookmaker. They can be used in lieu of your own money when placing a wager on sports or casino games.

Free bets vary from one bookmaker to the next. Some come in the form of no-deposit bonuses, while others require you to deposit a minimum amount before they are awarded to you.

An example of how a free bet works:

Online bookmaker Betway offers a £30 free bet for new customers who sign up for an account and place a qualifying bet. The qualifying bet is the first bet placed on the account after registering. It must be at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater, and if it wins, you don't get the winnings. Just your stake back as a free bet.

How do free bets work?

You can use your free bets anywhere where the bookie accepts regular deposits. In most cases, this will be on sports betting markets, but you may also be able to use them on casino games and table games at certain bookmakers.

Who gives out free bets?

Most online bookmakers give free bets to new customers as an incentive for them to sign up. Every major UK operator offers some welcome bonus, and it can come in many forms.

Are free bets really free?

People are often tempted by the opportunity to win money without risking any of their own. This is the essence of the free bet. It's a type of marketing promotion used by bookmakers to draw in new customers, and it's a very popular part of online sports betting in the UK.

It's important to understand that bookmakers aren't just giving away money for nothing. Free bets are not entirely risk-free, although they're better than placing a normal bet. Other bonuses, such as enhanced odds offers, might be risk-free if you use them correctly. Two main terms should be understood: wagering requirements and qualifying bets.

Pros & Cons of using free bets in the UK

Free bets are a great way to try out a new bookmaker and earn some money without risking any of your own cash. However, there are terms and conditions which can be challenging keeping track of.

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of using free bets in the UK:

Advantages of free bets

The obvious advantage of free bets is that you get to bet for free. With some online sportsbooks, you get to earn money even if your bet does not win.

When you sign up for an online sportsbook account, you will be given a bonus bet equal to the amount of your first deposit. You can use this bonus bet to place a wager on any sport of your choice. If your wager wins, then great! If it loses, then don't worry because you will still earn money in the form of a bonus.

Online sportsbooks also offer bonuses when you refer your friends and family members to them. You will earn a commission whenever they place their first bet using their account.

Disadvantages of free bets

The greatest disadvantage of using an online sportsbook is that they often have a small selection of games to choose from. They typically only cover six or seven major sporting events each month, so there may not be enough games for you to make a profit over the course of the season.

Due to a lack of customers placing bets, the odds offered by online sportsbooks are worse than traditional bookmakers like Ladbrokes and William Hill.

Key terms & conditions

Choosing the right free bet can be tricky. But we're here to help.

We've picked out all the key terms and conditions you need to know about.

·      Wagering requirements: You'll need to place a certain amount of bets before your bonus becomes withdrawable cash (e.g. £20 worth of bets at odds of evens or greater).

·      Minimum odds: The qualifying bet must be placed at certain odds or higher (e.g. 3/1), or sometimes must be placed at odds of evens (2.0) or higher.

·      Minimum market value: A minimum price is set for any selections that you make to qualify (e.g. £10). Sometimes this restriction applies only to each selection, while sometimes it applies only to the total stake.)

·      Free bet expiration period: Your free bet will expire if it's not used within a certain amount of time after being credited (e.g. 30 days). This time limit may also apply to unused bonus funds in your account (e.g. bonus funds have to.

How to claim a free bet

To claim a free bet and make the most of your online betting experience, sign up for an account with your partner brands and follow these simple steps:

·      Deposit money into your account and place a qualifying bet.

·      Once you've placed a qualifying bet, you will be eligible to receive your free bet.

·      Wager or use that free bet to earn more money.

·      Repeat the process at other sites to maximize your earnings!

Types of UK free bets

Let’s look at the kinds of free bets that you may see.

·      No deposit-free bet – as its name suggests, you can get this bet without having to make a deposit. Once you sign up for a new account, you will be sent a code that you need to use to claim your free bet credit.

·      Matched deposit offer – to get this kind of UK free bet, you must make a deposit after signing up for a new account. If you deposit £20, they would give you another £20 or even £40 in free bets depending on the promotion they run at that particular time.

·      New customer welcome offers - These are the most popular types of free bet promotions and are offered by every bookmaker. They're only available to new customers who must sign up for an account, deposit funds, and place a qualifying bet in order to receive their free bet.

·      Reloads are very much like new customer welcome offers, but they're only available to existing customers. The types of reload bonuses usually change from deposit bonuses to risk-free bets, where you'll receive a refund if you lose your first bet.

·      Loyalty / VIP free bets - As part of their VIP schemes, some bookmakers offer loyalty bonuses to reward players for their continued play. These can be given out as part of a loyalty scheme or as part of a special promotion on certain sporting events.

How to withdraw free bet winnings

To withdraw your free bet winnings, you will need to have made a deposit at the bookmaker in question. The reason for this is that the bookmaker needs to know who you are and where you want your money sent before they can send it.

To withdraw your free bet winnings, simply follow these steps:

·      Log in to your betting account.

·      Go to the 'Withdraw' section of the website or app.

·      Select your payment method (bank transfer, debit card, etc.)

·      Enter your details and request a withdrawal.

Some bookmakers will require a minimum amount to be withdrawn at one time and others might have fees associated with certain types of withdrawals. Also, there may be delays in processing times depending on the withdrawal method used.

UK free bets FAQs

Free bets are a great way to sample a new bookmaker, but there are some key terms and conditions you'll need to be aware of:

How do I qualify for a free bet?

To qualify for a free bet, you must meet the terms and conditions set forth by the betting site. For example, you may only qualify if you bet above a certain amount or if you are betting on specific events or games. Some sites even offer loyalty programs where regular bettors can earn points that translate into free bets.

How does a no deposit-free bet work?

No deposit-free bets work by giving you a welcome bonus without the need for you to make a deposit into your account. You will usually have to enter your credit/debit card details when signing up for an account, but there will be no money taken from your account, so it really is 100% risk-free betting!

What can I do if I don't receive my free bet?

If you haven't received the bonus within 24 hours of signing up, it's worth contacting customer services. They may have made an error in your account and be able to rectify it quickly.

What can I use my free bet on?

Free bets are usually only valid for wagering on specified betting markets, such as singles or trebles, and sometimes certain sports or leagues. The terms and conditions should state precisely what your bonus is valid for. If not, then again it's best to contact customer services for clarification.

Can I withdraw my free bet?

Free bets are used for risk-free betting, but the balance is not withdrawable until you've met the wagering requirements. If a bookmaker does offer cashable free bets then they'll shout about it!

What is wagering?

Wagering means that you will need to roll over the amount of money you receive as a bonus before you can withdraw it from your account.

Can I make a profit from free bets?

Yes, you can make a profit from free bets. However, free bets are usually linked to certain conditions and restrictions that you must meet before w