When signing up for a new sportsbook, the thing on everyone’s mind is, ‘What are the free bets like?’
Thankfully, the experts at Wisegambler.com have tried and tested their commercial partners’ available offers and concluded that William Hill’s free bet offer is their favourite. If you’re already a William Hill user and want to try something different, you’re in luck, you’ll find 9 alternative free bet options that are of the same high standard right here!
Let’s take a look at these picks, as well as the various qualities and benefits you can expect from the best free bets.
- William Hill – Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
- Betfred – Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses
- BetVictor – Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets
- Copybet – Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets
- BetMGM – Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets
- Sky Bet – Get £30 in Free Bets
- Betway – Get £10 in Free Bets
- Fitzdares – Bet £50 Get £25 in Free Bets
- 10bet – 50% up to £50 Welcome Bonus
- bet365 – Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
T&Cs: Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
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DISCLAIMER: This article is provided by wisegambler.com, part of the Acroud group and all opinions are their own. All offers are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change without notice.
The Best Free Bets in the UK Reviewed
The experts at Wisegambler have picked out their top picks for the best free bets UK. Here’s a rundown of what makes them all the best:
1. William Hill – Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
William Hill has been in the betting business for almost a century now, first launching all the way back in 1939! Its betting service has stayed consistent, and we’re happy to recommend it today. It boasts many sports betting markets, a mobile-friendly interface with apps, and some free bets offers that you can’t afford to miss. Unfortunately, we considered the website to be a bit bland, with a lot of white space and dense, poorly spaced information.
T&Cs: 18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #ad
2. Betfred – Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses
Betfred is famous for its fabulous lineup of betting offers, and we were just as impressed by it as the general public. There are more deals up for grabs at Betfred than almost any other bookie, covering any sport you could think of, although football and horse racing benefit in particular. Betfred also has a wide range of betting markets and a reliable customer service team at the ready. Our only real sticking point is mobile adaptability, as the mobile website is poorly adapted to the smaller screen.
T&Cs: New customers only. Register (excl. 13/04/24) with WELCOME50. First bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get Free Bets: £20 In-Play, £20 Acca & 50 x £0.20 (£10) Free Spins on Fishin’ Frenzy within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
3. BetVictor – Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets
BetVictor is easily one of our favourite sportsbooks for football betting. Its odds are notoriously competitive, and you’re unlikely to find better elsewhere. But that doesn’t mean its coverage of other sports is anything to sniff at. We’re especially fond of the dedicated mobile apps, renowned among punters for being some of the best. However, we do wish that the live streaming service extended beyond horse and greyhound racing.
T&Cs:18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds. No cash out. Get £40 in Free Bets on selected events. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Debit card / Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly.
4. CopyBet – Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets
CopyBet is one of the younger sportsbooks in the UK, but it’s been performing admirably since launch, and we believe it hosts some of the best free bets deals around. Beyond the competitive odds and reach of the betting markets, we love that it offers fantastic deals like no-deposit free bets and accumulator boosts. However, we did see reports of slow withdrawals, which could be a turn-off for some punters.
T&Cs: BET 10 GET 50 offer is available only for the customers who signed up on 01.02.2024 or later. The qualifying bet should be a single bet, start at £10, and have 1.9 or greater odds. Each free bet lasts for 7 days. Offer stands for verified UK clients. No cash-out. Max payout – £500. See full terms and conditions.
5. BetMGM – Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets
BetMGM hasn’t been in the UK for long, but the years of experience it built up in the US really shine through and helped it to stand out from the competition immediately. The betting markets are deep, the promotions are plentiful, and the site is a dream to use, with mobile options available for those who prefer it. The site is still struggling with growing pains, such as a lack of payment options, but we’re confident these will be smoothed out in the future.
T&Cs: New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.
6. Sky Bet – Get £30 in Free Bets
Sky Bet should be a brand familiar to most UK punters. It offers a good-looking betting platform with competitive odds and a massive library of promotions to prop it up. Using the site feels great, from the low deposit minimum that accommodates low-budget players to a responsive customer service team and a fully mobile-compatible site. We do wish there were a few more payment options, opening the doors to even more potential customers, but we were pleased with what was on offer.
T&Cs: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only. 5p minimum stake. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply. 18+. Begambleaware.Org
7. Betway – Get £10 in Free Bets
Betway is a name synonymous with UK sports nowadays, and it offers a service that people up and down the country know they can trust. Its interface is barebones but has a fantastic range of betting options. We also felt well cared for at Betway, with a reliable customer support system on hand and payment options to cater to any punter. You also can’t forget the Betway Free Bets club, rewarding loyal customers for returning week over week.
T&Cs: *New customers only. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. Min Deposit: £10. Free Bet awarded: £10. 1 x £10 must be wagered at odds of 1.75+ to unlock Free Bet. Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply). Free bet will expire 7 days after the 1st deposit. 18+. BeGambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way. Full Terms apply
8. Fitzdares – Bet £50 Get £25 in Free Bets
Fitzdares’s claim to fame is its innovative text betting feature, which allows you to place wagers by texting in with your phone — it’s a feature that works well, giving responsive answers and is even compatible with slang. Fitzdares also offers mobile apps, delightfully niche betting options and a simple but highly effective sportsbook interface. We noticed a lack of payment options, which could lock out some potential customers.
T&Cs: New customers only, aged 18+. Min deposit £10. Place a £50 bet on any sport at at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater to qualify for three free bets on settlement: £10 on Football, £10 on Greyhounds and £5 on Virtual Sports, plus 10 Free Spins on Reel King. Free Bet & Spins expire in 7 days. Additional T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly.
9. 10bet – 50% up to £50 Welcome Bonus
10bet has been going strong for over two decades now, and its experience and quality shine through just by looking at it. 10bet has an attractive website that presents all the information you need where you want it while being easy on the eyes. Alongside that is a fantastic selection of promotions catering to all sorts of sports markets, and it’s mobile-friendly to boot. Our biggest grievance with 10bet is that its free bets come with wagering requirements attached, which we know could be a deal breaker for some punters.
T&Cs: New bettors; Code PLAY10; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+.
10. bet365 – Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
Rounding off our list is bet365, and it shouldn’t be a surprise to find this sportsbook on our list. You’ll find not only an easy-to-use sportsbook layout but also plenty of different sports to bet on and some fantastic promotional offers to complement them. bet365 is also mobile friendly and supports 24/7 customer service, so users are well taken care of no matter how they choose to bet. The only thing we feel holds it back is the lack of any kind of loyalty system.
T&Cs: Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
What is a Free Bet?
Free bets are a type of betting token you can use to make a wager without spending real money. Bets made with free bets can still win real money! Usually, free bets payout all winnings after subtracting the stake, so you receive all the profit!
Sportsbooks give out free bets through various promotions. Examples include welcome bonuses, refer-a-friend rewards, money-back insurance, or social media giveaways. These free bets are often tailored to the promotion in question and might be specifically for use on seasonal events such as the World Cup or the Cheltenham Festival.
How do Free Bets Work?
Free bets are almost identical to regular betting funds. You pick which bet you want to place and simply elect to use a free bet instead of your regular funds when confirming the wager in your slip. You might be restricted in some ways, though: most free bets are awarded as fixed-value betting tokens that can’t be split into smaller denominations and sometimes have to be used for betting on specific sports, bet types or events.
Most free bets will be claimed through the promotions tab on a sportsbook or by using promo codes when signing up or depositing money. Not all free bets are made equally, though. For example, some free bets will have wagering requirements, even though this isn’t the norm. Those free bets must have their value used a number of times (usually around 8x) before any winnings can be withdrawn. So check out your sportsbook’s general promotion T&Cs to learn how their free bets work.
Types of Free Bets Bonuses
You can claim many types of free bet deals at online sportsbooks. Here’s a look at the most common types:
Free Bets
The primary way to obtain free bets is via standard free bets offers where you’re rewarded them for doing a specific task. This could be signing up for a new site, spending a certain amount on your account, having a friend sign up with a referral code or simply as a loyalty log-in reward. However you obtain them, be sure to check the limitations of your free bets, as free bets received in these ways are often limited to specific sports or bet types.
Matched Deposits
This type of deal is much more common at online casinos than sportsbooks, but you still find them occasionally. A deposit match bonus will match the value of a deposit in free bets up to a maximum. Most of these bonuses will either have strict limits on the value of free bets you can obtain or will impose wagering requirements on them due to how high the value of these deals can climb.
Money-Back Bonuses
A money-back bonus is exactly what the name implies — place a bet under this deal, and you’ll receive your stake back if the bet doesn’t win. Most commonly, your stake will be returned as a free bet, and the bet itself will be accepted at long odds to mitigate the shift in risk-to-payout. However, money-back bonuses sometimes award your stake back in cash instead, although those deals are often more restricted in what kinds of bets they’re applied to.
Enhanced Odds/Boosts
Enhanced odds aren’t free bets in the traditional sense, but they can earn you additional profit in the way free bets do. These deals ‘enhance’ or ‘boost’ your odds to artificially increase your potential profit. It doesn’t change the actual chances of a bet winning, just the winnings if it does.
Loyalty Promotions
Free bets are a favourite reward of loyalty promotions — they’re an easy and low-risk way for sportsbooks to reward loyal customers. Loyalty programmes might reward free bets as part of a log-in campaign to encourage customers to log in frequently, or they might be rewarded on a monthly or weekly basis. Other loyalty programmes let you accumulate loyalty points, which can then be exchanged for free bets.
Free Bet Clubs
Instead of a standard loyalty scheme, some sportsbooks use ‘free bet clubs.’ You can opt-in for these programmes once and continue to benefit from them passively as you use the sportsbook. As you make bets and use the site, you’ll contribute to a meter. Once the meter is full, you can redeem free bets. This deal then refreshes after a specific time frame, usually a week. For example, you might receive £10 in free bets every week that you wager £20 or more.
Betting Insurances
Betting insurances come in many different forms, like ‘2nd to a Rag,’ ‘Non-runner no bet,’ ‘Acca insurance,’ and many, many more. A betting insurance deal will return your stake on a bet if certain ‘conditions’ are met — i.e. if something goes wrong, like a horse not running or a single selection in an acca losing.
Free Bet Terms and Conditions: What to Watch Out For
Like any other betting offer, free bets come with their own terms and conditions that can limit their use or entirely blindside potential claimers if you aren’t careful! Here’s a quick rundown of the most important T&Cs you should look out for when claiming free bets deals:
Terms of use
Free bets are often limited in how they can be used. Most free bets are awarded as betting tokens at a fixed amount and must be used at full value. Others can only be used to make a specific type of bet, or they may only let you bet on a single sport. For example, you might be awarded a horse racing acca bet, which cannot be used outside those parameters.
Valid payment options
Most bonus offers (new customer-free bets in particular) can only be redeemed on funds deposited through debit cards and occasionally Apple Pay. If you try to use other methods like e-wallets or pre-paid cards, not only will your qualifying bet not count, but you could be locked out of the bonus altogether!
Wagering requirements
While wagering requirements are a staple of online casino bonuses, they’re less common on sportsbook deals. Most free bets only need to be used once before you can withdraw them. However, this doesn’t mean free bets with wagering requirements don’t exist. This means you need to bet the value of your free bet (and maybe also your deposit) a set number of times before you’re allowed to withdraw any winnings.
Time limits
This isn’t just a matter of when your free bets expire; time limits apply to all parts of a free bets bonus. This includes how long you have to claim your bonus after registering, how soon your wager needs to settle after placing, how long you have to accept your bets, how long you have to use those bets and even how long the promotion is running for. If you don’t keep track of all this, you could end up forfeiting your bets.
Free Bets UK: Pros and Cons
Step by Step: How to Claim Free Bets Offers
Have any of the free bets offers we’ve recommended caught your eye? Lucky for you, redeeming these free bets is easier than ever! We’ll take you through the general step-by-step process of signing up for a new sportsbook and claiming its new customer-free bets offer.
- Choose the free bets offer that most appeals to you and use our link to reach the sign-up page for that sportsbook.
- Follow the instructions to create a new account — this requires personal information like your name, date of birth and email.
- If you need to use a promo code to claim your deal, input it during the account creation process.
- Make your first deposit to your new account — ensure that you deposit enough for the qualifying bet (usually around £10) through a valid payment method.
- Place your qualifying bet of the correct value and at the right odds — do this as one bet, as most deals will cancel you out of the deal if you don’t meet the specified value on your first bet.
- Wait for the bet to settle, and you’ll receive your free bets! This might be automatic, or you may have to claim your free bets from the promo page in your account.
If you’re interested in finding more in-depth information about each of our recommended sportsbooks, head over to our page on the best betting sites in the UK here.
Best Free Bets on Football
1. BetVictor
BetVictor is well known for its focus on football betting, especially the highly competitive odds it offers. The welcome bonus is also perfectly tailored for punters looking to bet on football.
2. Sky Bet
You can’t talk about football betting without looking at Sky Bet! It boasts some of the best odds around for football, and the slew of targeted promotions to boost the football betting experience can’t be ignored.
3. 10bet
10bet is a site that stands out in particular for how much it loves football. Most of its betting offers are football-centric, such as acca boosts and free bets awarded depending on goal margins.
4. Betway
Betway is an old staple of online betting, and its name is synonymous with football betting for a reason. In particular, you can take advantage of the Betway free bets club, which awards free bets each week to loyal punters.
5. Copybet
Copybet is renowned as one of the best sportsbooks for football in general, with hundreds of football bets to make on international games each day and at competitive odds. It also features many bonuses offering free bets that are perfectly tailored to football betting.
Best Free Bets on Horse Racing
1. bet365
bet365 is a fantastic platform for all sorts of sports betting, but it stands out in particular when it comes to horse racing. It provides a slew of fantastic horse racing bonuses, chief among them is the price promise, making horse racing betting a dream.
2. BetMGM
This one’s new to the market but already establishing itself as a top racing bookie. The welcome bonus encourages you to explore the whole site before betting, and BetMGM offers top racing promos like extra places and odds boosts to enhance the experience.
3. William Hill
William Hill has been in the business of horse racing betting since it launched almost a hundred years ago, and it’s still going strong as one of the best bookies around. You can sweep up its generous free bets deals and even use its custom odds feature to propose your own wagers!
4. Betfred
Betfred is renowned for its plentiful bonuses and it shines in particular when it comes to horse racing betting. The benefits don’t stop at free bets, with BOG, extra places, insurance bets and more available to eager bettors.
5. BetVictor
While not as great as its football betting offers, BetVictor also offers a unique deal for horse racing betting fans. This deal caters specifically to bets on horse racing, so you can cut past the other parts of the site and get right to the good stuff.
For more on the UK’s most popular betting sites for horse racing enthusiasts, click here.
How does Wisegambler Choose Free Bets?
Interested in looking for your own free bets deals? Here are the tips from our experts at Wisegambler on finding a good one:
Step 1: Search for Free Bet Offers
The very first thing you need to do is get out there and find some free betting offers. You can go directly to the bookies in question or read lists on through articles like this one.
This is also where we assess the surface value of a free bets offer. How much is the bonus offering? How much do you need to stake to claim it? And so on. It’s usually pretty self-evident which deals are and aren’t worth your time at this stage.
Step 2: Read the Small Print
Next, look through the deal and determine what accepting it actually consists of. This means reading through the terms and conditions — yes, this is boring, but it’s also important. See our above section to learn which parts of the terms and conditions are the most pressing.
Step 3: Talk to Real Players
We like to look through player reviews of sites to learn more about the overall quality and what we can expect from a sportsbook. Reviews are often particularly concerned with win rates, withdrawal speeds and the quality of the welcome bonus, which can be valuable. But remember that you should take most betting site reviews with a grain of salt, as emotions tend to run high.
Step 4: Regularly Check for Updates
Even after we’ve examined and reviewed a free bets deal, we like to come back and check on it occasionally. Most deals are consistent when they aren’t seasonal, but they can change every year or so, and it’s worth keeping up to date with those changes. Also, if you’re on the fence about signing up for a bookie, you might receive a better offer during seasonal periods like national holidays or major sporting events.
What to do if you have a gambling problem
We understand that gambling can be fun, but it’s important to gamble responsibly. If you are struggling with a gambling problem, please don’t hesitate to ask for help. There are people who can help you get on the road to recovery.
Here are some resources that can help you:
- National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
- GamCare: https://www.gamcare.org.uk
- GambleAware: https://www.begambleaware.org/
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to claim free bets?
As long as the site offering the free bets is a fully licenced and legal organisation, you can be confident its free bets offer is safe to claim. We have recommended some trustworthy betting sites for UK players here.
Are free bets actually free?
No-deposit free bets do not require you to spend any money to claim them and are 100% free. However, most free bet offers require an upfront deposit to claim.
What is the difference between a free bet and a bonus offer?
A bonus offer is an umbrella term for all the types of promotions you claim at sportsbooks. Free bets are a type of bonus offer and are included in multiple types of bonuses.
Do I need a promo code to claim free bets?
Some free bets offers require a promo code to claim them, which you input during sign-up or deposit processes. Other free bets can be claimed by opting into deals via links or social media.
Can I claim multiple free bets?
A single free bets offer can usually only be claimed once, either per account or within a specific time frame (in the case of loyalty or login rewards). However, you can also claim multiple free bets deals across different sportsbooks.
Can I win real money from free bets?
Yes, if you win a wager made with free bets, you can win real money profits with the stake deducted.
Do free bets expire?
All free bets will eventually expire after a specific period of time, which changes between sportsbooks. The average lifespan of a free bet is 7 days but could be 28 or more, depending on the sportsbook.
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