Free Bet FAQs

betting > new customer free bet offers


If you already have a bookmaker account, you may still be eligible for existing customer offers. Remember, you can sign up for a betting account with multiple bookmakers, so be sure to check out the latest offers for bookmakers with whom you don’t already have an account. Almost every bookmaker in the UK and Ireland will offer new customers some sort of welcome bonus or free bet offer. These offers act as an incentive to drive new users to their website and begin their betting journey. This gives new customers a great opportunity to get a head start so it’s always worth checking what offers are available for each leading bookmaker. Betting offers may be available for a limited time, with some being exclusive to certain sporting events such as major horse racing festivals or big football matches.

This Week's Best Free Bet Offer - Betfred

Featured on the BBC, Sky Sports and other major UK media Shortlisted for ‘UK & Ireland Affiliate of the Year’ at the EGR Europe Awards 2025 Furthermore, we provide the largest range of free bets offers in the UK, making oddschecker the best source of information when it comes to free bets. We provide honest reviews and outline all the important details to help you make informed decisions about claiming these free bets and signing up to a new bookmaker that is fully licensed and trusted. Written by Jamie from the oddschecker commercial content team Jamie is an affiliate content writer at oddschecker, with 3+ years of experience in the gambling industry reviewing licensed UK bookmakers and sports betting offers. All insights are written based on first-hand testing and in compliance with UKGC guidelines. Our dedicated in-house commercial content team brings years of combined experience across the UK.

Bet £10 Get £60 in Free Bets ***2026 FIFA World Cup Special***

All reviews are written independently, and our goal is to provide you with honest insights that help you make informed decisions. If you’re on the hunt for a sports betting account, look no further. We have compiled the best free bets and betting offers from the biggest bookmakers in the UK and Ireland, so you can take advantage of the best welcome bonuses when you sign up. With our help and expertise, compare multiple offers from trusted operators and select the one that’s right for you. A free bet is a wager of a specified value for which the bookmaker offers to pay the stake. For the full range of bookmaker offers, you can view our individual bookmaker reviews to find the right offers for you.

Types of Free Bets Explained

Bookmakers online promote free bet offers to new customers who choose to sign up with them. It’s mainly seen as a welcome offer that bookmakers provide as an incentive to try betting with them. In the online betting space, there are a variety of different offers and promotions to consider. Most of the best betting offers come in the form of welcome bonuses, which provide free bets to new customers who sign up for an account. However, there bet bonus bets uk are loyalty schemes and other retention offers for existing customers.

Can you cash out a Free Bet?

Betting offers are often advertised in advance of big events in the sporting calendar, especially those that are popular with bettors. You can take advantage of sign-up offers by checking our the latest Cheltenham free bets and Royal Ascot free bets. With a free bet, you are betting without any of your real cash involved. When placing a free bet, the winnings you receive in return will not include the free bet amount. Instead, you’ll only receive the amount of the winnings due from the bet placed. A betting bonus is a fixed amount that is added to your first deposit. Typically, your bookmaker will allow you to stake your first bet without risking all, or any, of your own money.

  • Free bets are a great way to explore a bookmaker's platform without significant risk
  • They allow you to place wagers on outcomes you might not normally consider
  • Successful free bet winnings are typically paid as cash, minus the free bet stake
  • Using free bets effectively requires understanding the associated wagering rules

It is advised that you use the credit balance in accordance with the terms of the bookmaker. You can sign up with multiple bookmakers and place your bets with each of them. Signing up with multiple betting sites means you can get the best odds and you’ll be able to benefit from various existing customer bonuses. Beforehand, you can take advantage of all the new customer offers available. You can also read our bookmaker reviews for more information about each betting site and help you find the one that’s right for you. Follow these simple steps bet free sports bet when you sign up to sign up for a new betting account and claim your free bets: Once you have signed up with a bookmaker, you’ll still be able to benefit from any existing customer offers.

Top 20 UK Betting Sites Trending in June 2026

Always check the terms, as certain free bets may limit you to specific sports, markets, or minimum odds. If your free bet wins, you’ll receive the profit from the bet, but not the free bet stake itself. For example, a £10 free bet at odds of 5/1 would see a return of £50, not £60. Many UK free bet offers are restricted to UK & Ireland residents due to licensing rules. Oddschecker is an independent comparison and affiliate platform.

Bet365 - Best for moneyback as a free bet

We partner with bookmakers to list odds and offers but are not owned by a bookmaker. Yes—if you use licensed and reputable bookmakers. Always make sure the site is regulated by the relevant gambling authority (e.g., UK Gambling Commission). Free bets almost always cannot be cashed out. Cash-out features apply only to bets placed with real money. 💰 Fixed amount is added to your free bet 💰 Fixed amount is added to your first deposit The process of using a free bet may vary depending on the bookmaker that provided the free bet. Here are some general step by step instructions you can follow: If you win the bet, the winnings usually get credited to your account balance.

  • Bet £10 get £30 in free bets credited as 3 x £10 bets
  • £20 refund as cash if your first bet loses
  • Deposit £10 and receive £40 in free bets split across sports and casino
  • Money back up to £20 if your first accumulator bet loses
  • New customers can claim a £5 free bet without needing to deposit

You may need to meet the wagering requirements before you withdraw the winnings. When choosing a free bet, there are a few things to look for to ensure that you get the best betting offer for your preferences: How much do you have to bet?

Hitting the Darts Betting Bullseye – PricedUp

It means your winnings or bonus will be credited as free bet tokens instead of cash. For example, a promotion may say: “Bet £10, get £10 paid in free bets.” A cashback free bet refunds your losing qualifying bet in the form of a free bet token, not cash. At oddschecker, we believe in safe and responsible gambling. Gambling should be a form of entertainment and not a source of stress or financial difficulty. That’s why, under the guidance of the UK Gambling Commission, all licensed operators must provide a range of responsible gambling tools to help you stay in control.

How many free bets can I claim?

If you ever feel that gambling is starting to affect you or someone you care about, free support is available. Charities and organisations like GamCare, BeGambleAware, and the National Gambling Helpline offer free, confidential advice and practical help when you need it. Founded back in 1999, oddschecker has over 25+ years of experience in the online gambling and casino industry. We're a well-established and independent platform, and we know what makes a great casino welcome bonus in the UK. We only recommend fully licensed, UK-regulated casinos and our listings are based on verified info, expert analysis and real feedback from users. Which bet is the offer applied to? Do you have to bet on a specific sport or event? Does the free bet apply to the type of bet you want to place?

How do I use my Free Bets?

Your free bets credit is added either upon your first qualifying deposit, usually £10, but some free bets are awarded as a deposit match and these usually have minimum and maximum qualifying amounts. Sign-up offers, also known as sign-up bonuses and new customer betting offers, are exclusively for users who do not have an existing account with that bookmaker. You can sign up for a new betting account using the links above and claim your welcome bonus in the process. These are a great way to get started with a bookmaker and can give you a helpful head start. To take advantage of a sign-up offer, you will usually have to put down a small deposit (often £10) before you can access the sum of free bets. Are there minimum odds required for the free bet? Is the free bet available in your region? Does there need to be a specific outcome? Does the bookmaker have a positive reputation? Are there any requirements before you can withdraw your bonus? You don’t need to spend a lot of time researching, but by considering these factors, you can choose a free bet that’s right for you. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a novice looking for help on which account to get, choosing the right bookmaker through our bookmaker quiz could help you gain the knowledge to make quick informed decisions. We also have expert recommendations for the best betting sites and best betting apps across a range of sports and categories. Eligibility: free bets may only be available to new customers who have registered for an account with the betting company or to existing customers who have met a certain criteria, such as placing a certain number of bets within a specified period. Time limits: free bets may only be valid for a certain period of time, for example seven days or even 30 days. If you do not use the free bet within this time frame, it may expire and any bonus will be lost. Bet restrictions: free bets may be restricted to certain types of bets, such as single bets or accumulator bets, and may be limited to certain sports or events. Free bet stake: some free bets will not include the stake amount in the winnings. Wagering requirement is a condition attached to many bonuses including free bets that requires the recipient of the bonus to wager a certain amount of money before they can withdraw any winnings earned from the bonus. The wagering requirement is usually expressed as a multiple of the bonus amount.

  • Free bets are often credited after your qualifying bet settles
  • Some offers require using a specific promo code upon registration
  • The free bet value may be awarded as bonus funds or tokens
  • Always check the full terms and conditions before signing up

Some free bets may have wagering requirements attached to them, they’re used by a bookmaker site as a way to protect themselves and help create loyal customers.

Step Action Required Important Notes Time Required
1 Register a new account Use accurate personal details 2-5 minutes
2 Make a qualifying deposit Use accepted payment methods 1-2 minutes
3 Place a qualifying bet Check minimum odds & stake 2-5 minutes
4 Receive the free bet Usually credited within 24h Instant to 24 hours
5 Use the free bet Check expiry date & eligible markets Before expiry

You can usually use free bets and bonuses on any betting market and any bet type. This includes singles, doubles, trebles, accumulators and even Lucky 15s or 31s. You may need to meet specific conditions to use them.

Free Bet Value Example Odds Potential Profit (Winnings) Effective Value (If Cash)
£5 Free Bet 3.00 (2/1) £10 ~£4.00
£10 Free Bet 5.00 (4/1) £40 ~£8.00
£20 Free Bet 2.00 (Evs) £20 ~£10.00
£50 Free Bet 1.50 (1/2) £25 ~£16.67
Bookmaker Credit Method Time to Credit How to Use in Bet Slip Bet365 Automatic after bet settlement Within 12 hours Select from 'Bet Credits' dropdown 888sport Manual claim via 'My Bonuses' Instant after claim Tick 'Use Bonus' box Unibet Automatic upon deposit Instant Automatically applied if stake ≤ bonus Betway Separate token in account Within 24 hours Select 'Free Bet' as stake type

These are often known as wagering requirements. No, when a free bet is settled the stake is not returned with the winnings. The profit from the bet will be added to your account, but the original ‘free bet’ stake will not be returned to you.