Free Bets & Welcome Offers

What are Free Bets?

Free bets are usually bonuses for new customers when they join a bookmaker, but they can be available for existing customers too. Free bets generally come in the form of a fixed amount of money or credits that are added to your account or can form a percentage of your stake.

The bonuses vary depending on which bookmaker you choose and could require a minimum deposit to active the account.

Always check the T&Cs before you sign up to a free bets offer, yes the small print at the bottom of an offer. Don’t ignore it.

How do I get free bets?

It’s nice and easy. Look at the free bet offers on this page, pick the one you fancy and click the link. You’ll arrive at the bookmakers’ site and all you need to do is follow their instructions to claim your offer.

Our Free Bets Experts

The Planet Sport team specialise in clear, informative, data-driven tips, predictions, guides, offers and promotions that will steer you in the right direction.

We also scour the best tipping services and social media accounts to curate the best tips every day, making it easier for you to make informed decisions when placing your bets.

What to look for when choosing free bets

Picking the right free bet can look a bit daunting as there can be a lot on offer.

Bookmakers are keen for you to explore their offers, open an account and place bets with them. But it’s essential that you carefully review their terms and conditions before you take the plunge.

The best free bets will have no restrictions placed upon them, but lots do so be aware.

Here’s a quick guide on the kind of thing you should be looking out for:

Minimum deposit

Make sure you are aware of the minimum amount you have to deposit to activate the free bet. £5 to £10 is usually the standard amount, though the higher the bonus the higher the deposit.

Wager requirements

What you have to complete before you can make a cash withdrawal. For example a 10x wager conditions on a £10 bonus credit, would mean you’d have to bet your bonus amount ten more times before you could withdraw any cash.

Qualifying bets

Check on whether the bet is for a specific sport, event or market. It may have a time restriction and/or be only available at certain odds.

Expiry date

The majority of free bets have an expiry date so make sure you check it as the time window could be closing sooner than you think.

Spending restrictions

Limits can be placed on the amount staked, the markets the bet can be placed or even on the specific sport.

Gamble Responsibly

Planet Sport is committed to endorsing responsible gaming. We aim to ensure that you enjoy your gambling experience and are fully aware of the social and financial harms associated with problem gambling. For more information on this subject please visit GambleAware or GamCare.

What type of free bets and welcome offers are available?

Bookmakers dream up new free bets and welcome offers all the time and it’s wise to regularly check out what’s new. Here we go through the most common offers that you will find.

Matched Free Bets

Usually requires you to deposit an amount and place a bet before you can unlock the offer.

The bet could have requirements before it can be activated such as selecting a certain range of odds or a minimum number of legs.

Examples include bet £10 and get a £20 free bet, or matched stakes such as bet £50 get a £50 free bet.

These free bets can sometimes be handed out in the form of credits rather than cash you can withdraw, so your £20 deposit could bring you £50 in betting credits instead. Always check the small print.

Matched deposit bonus

This is where the bookmaker matches the initial deposit that you’ve placed in your account.

For example, you place £10 in your account and the bookmaker adds another £10, which doubles your initial balance before you’ve even started. Typically these offers are 50% or 100% of your first deposit.

No deposit free bets

Moving into slightly rarer territory here, so well done if you find them. The bookmaker is essentially giving you a free swing at a potential winning bet, without you having to risk any of your cash.

You’ll still have to open an account with them and pass on all your details, but it’s a bit of free money to get you going.

Enhanced odds

To entice you onto their platform, bookies will offer a simple bet at vastly inflated odds. For example Harry Kane to score 25/1, when it’s usually 2/1.

There’s usually a couple of catches in the T&Cs, so make sure you read them correctly. They could include a restriction on the amount of money you place on the bet or whether you are paid back in free bets credits or withdrawable cash.

What are the best free bets offers for existing customers?

As well as trying to entice new customers, the best bookies offer plenty of incentives to keep their existing customers happy and coming back for more.

They are always on the look for new creative ideas, but here’s a handful of some of the more common offers that you might come across.

Money-back specials

These can soften the blow of losing money with the bookie as some, or all, of your stake might be rewarded if you meet a certain criteria.

For example, money back of the favourite wins or money back if you are beaten by a certain distance are common in horse racing markets. You might be offered money back if Kane scores or Man City win.

Check the T&Cs as most of the time you’ll get your money back in the form of free bets rather than cash.

Acca or bet builder insurance

A popular one for those who like to stack up a number of selections in their bet. The most common of these is being rewarded with a free bet if one leg in your acca or bet builder fails. To qualify for the insurance punters will have to select a minimum number of legs to their bet, most of the time this is set at five and above.

Price boosts

These can usually be found in big ticket events and offer inflated odds on popular bets. Harry Kane to score was 3/1 now 4/1 would be an example of this. Winning stakes can be paid in free bets or with cash.

Loyalty free bets

These can take many forms and they encourage repeat visits to the bookies’ sites. It can be something as simple as a daily free spin in the casino, a free weekend bet builder or a free £2 bet on the 3.30 at Cheltenham.

It’s the bookies choice, and they pop up at regular intervals so it’s worth keeping an eye out for them.

FAQs

Can you cash in a free bet?

The short answer is no. Read the terms and conditions, but it’s unlikely you can withdraw the funds until you have placed a bet with the bookies first.

Do free bets have an expiration date?

This very much depends on the bookmaker. There are some free bets without an expiry date, but the majority do have an expiry which could be seven days, a month or more.

What does ”paid in free bets” mean?

When a bookmaker returns your free bet, winnings or money back offer in free bets rather than with cash. It will likely appear as tokens in your online account rather than money in your wallet.

Is it possible to profit from free bets?

Free bets are not free money, but yes you can make money from free bets if your wager won. However, when you collect your winnings the value of the free bet won’t be included in that amount.

How do you use a free bet?

A free bet is essentially a credit from bookmakers to use their sportsbook. Select the free bet that appeals to you the most, then follow the instructions from the bookmaker when signing up to the offer. Always read the terms and conditions before using the free bet and be gamble aware.

Can you withdraw winnings from a free bet?

Depending on the bookmakers’ terms and conditions, you can collect your winnings from a free bet, but the value of the free bet won’t be included in that amount.

What are betting bonuses?

Betting bonuses can take many forms such as a welcome bonus or loyalty bonus. Essentially they are rewards for new and existing customers for placing a bet with the bookmaker.

What is a cashback free bet?

Cashback or money back free bets are when the bookmaker returns the full or part amount of your stake if your wager loses. Cashback can be in the form of real money or betting tokens depending on the bookmakers’ T&Cs.

How do I redeem my free bets?

Once you have read the terms and conditions, click on the link for the free bet offer.

This will take you to the bookmaker’s site. From there follow the instructions from the bookmaker, once you have fulfilled their criteria your free bet should be activated.