If you are looking to turn a profit on your betting activity, then using free bets is an essential betting tool at your disposal. Below, you can find the BettingTools team’s pick of the best free bet offers and sign up promotions from our recommended UK bookmakers.
The Best Free Bets Offers in the UK
After a close review of dozens of free bet bonuses in the UK, we decided on the following as the best deals in terms of value and terms of use.
#1. Betfred – £50 in Free Bets if You Bet £10
UK bettors aged 18 or older are eligible for £50 worth of bonus bets when they sign up and bet at least £10. The bet must be on any sports event with odds of 1/1 or longer. If you meet these and other cited betting criteria, Betfred will give you free bet credit, after settling your qualifying bet, three £10 free sports bets, and two £10 free Acca bets. Getting started at Betfred is easy as they are one of our recommended £5 deposit betting sites, meaning you can open an account from just £5.
#2. Midnite – Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets + 50 Free Spins
If you register at Midnite and deposit and wager at least £10, you become eligible for the welcome free bet bonus. You need to create a pre-match accumulator (acca) ticket comprising at least 4 legs with 3/1 (4.0) odds per leg. The bonus is valid for 14 days after you open your Midnite betting account. Players are then credited with £20 in free bets, plus 50 free spins to use on selected casino games.
#3. 10bet – 100% Matched Deposit Up To £50
With over one million players in the UK alone, 10bet continues to offer both a fantastic welcome bonus and continuous free bets for existing players. Newbies with 10bet can get up to £50 matched at a 100% rate, meaning a deposit and placed bet of £50 will return £50 in free bets, regardless of the outcome. The minimum bet for the 10bet welcome offer is £10, and anything above £50 will count, but be capped at £50 in terms of the matched deposit.
New players have 60 days to activate this offer, but please be aware of the 8x wagering requirements in order to be able to withdraw your bonus.
#4. BetVictor – Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
BetVictor awards £30 free bets, with £20 covering sports. After signup, you can claim a £10 free bet on any sport as long as the odds are 1/1 or greater. You can also claim a £10 free bet for any sports acca with a minimum of five selections. These two £20 bets can be used on any sports markets unless stated in the restrictions. This offer will expire seven days after accreditation if not used.
#5. BoyleSports – Up to £20 Money Back as Free Bet on Horse Racing
BoyleSports awards up to £20 in free bets for horse racing punters. If your selection finishes second to the starting price (SP) favourite (not second overall), you get refunded up to £20 as a free bet. Only outright bets (singles, not combined) apply. Free bets must be used within 7 days of receiving them. Other terms apply.
#6. bet365 – Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
A frequent promoter of free bet bonuses, bet365 currently offers up to £30 in free bets. The offer is available only to new bet365 customers. bet365 requires you to deposit and bet at least £10, meaning you must also deposit £10 or more to become eligible. bet365 will grant a free bet bonus once you settle the qualifying bet. You can claim the offer online, or on the mobile app, which is widely regarded a the number one betting app for UK punters.
#7. betway – £30 Matched Acca Free Bet
If you’re eyeing Betway as your next betting platform, you are in for a £30 free bet bonus on your first acca bet if it loses. To claim the bonus, you must sign up and stake at least £5 on an acca ticket with 3 or more horse racing or football selections. Each selection has to have odds of 2/1 or longer. Among other requirements, your qualifying deposit must be via a debit card.
Bonus bets, double-chance bets, risk-free bets, bet credits, matched free bets… These are similar bonuses that can be classified as free bets. We believe it’s good to highlight the different varieties of ‘free bets’ from the get-go. The market is plentiful with sports bonus deals designated ‘free,’ and it’s smart to know what you’re getting into. On top of this, there is also the excellent betway Free Bet Club where you can get £10 in free bets every week when you wager £25 or more on trebbles.
Unlike in some regions, no-deposit free bets are of minor interest to the UK audience. Our guide focuses on popular free bet deals marketed by licenced UK online bookmakers. We’ll offer our personal recommendations for free bets among top betting sites.
Our Methodology
Our criteria for finding and rating free bet sports bonuses relate to the bonus itself and the bookmaker providing it. You can apply these ranking criteria yourself to evaluate free bet bonuses. You can find a list of the best such bonuses below, ranked and rated based on the following factors:
- Operator legitimacy and reputation – Recommending any type of bonus from a shady or unlicensed bookmaker is poor judgment. We are extra cautious when assessing a bookmaker’s legitimacy and reputation. My fellow testers and I go to great lengths to look beyond just the negative reactions from users. And there are plenty of those about every bookie. We evaluate a bookmaker’s legitimacy and reliability based on our personal experience and benchmarks like UKGC approval.
- Bonus expiration – Bonuses don’t last forever, especially free bet promotions or risk free bets. Welcome free bets tend to have longer expiration dates. We prefer bookies that afford players ample time to think things through, make a decision, and claim and use the bonus without feeling like they are in a rush.
- Eligible sports – It’s not always your decision where you spend your bonus bet credits. Every free bet offer’s terms underline the select sport(s) in which the bets can be invested. Alongside the sport, the bookie will also determine the minimum odds for the free bets.
- Wagering requirements – Unlike casino bonuses, sports offers tend to have considerably lower play-through conditions. They usually range from 1x to 10x, but could be higher. However, the higher the play-through requirements, the harder it is to clear the bonus. For that reason, we look for offers with convenient wagering requirements that even low-stakes bettors can agree with.
- General promo terms – The wagering requirement, sports eligibility, and minimum odds are three of many specified free bet bonus terms. Some general terms are also likely to apply to each bonus.
What are Betting Bonuses?
Betting bonuses are a fixed amount of money that is given to you as an add on to your deposit. This means the bookmaker is giving you more cash that you can place on your first bet without risking your own money. It is up to you how you use your free bet stake or free bet stakes if you have more than one bonus to use, as long as it falls in line with the terms set out by the bookmaker you are using.
For example, if you receiver an £80 bonus, you could have the option to use it on a single stake or divide it up and use it on smaller bets. Regarding free bets, operators usually issue a free token credit or numerous tokens that are equivalent to the overall bonus amount on settlement of your qualifying wager.
There will be limitations on the amount of markets you can use these tokens on. So, bear in mind that your options may be limited when using your free bet tokens. Do some shopping around to see who has the best terms relating to their free bet bonuses. We have listed some of the best options currently available above with the latest free bets.
What is a Free Bet?
A free bet is a type of bonus of a specified value that bookmakers will give to customers to encourage them to come back and show loyalty. Free bets can only be used to place a bet with the bookmaker that has given you the offer, so bet credits or free bets are not eligible to be withdrawn as a cash amount.
To qualify for a free bet offer, you must meet the bonus requirements. These could include creating an account as a new player with the bookie, placing a qualifying bet on a specific sports event or depositing some funds into your account.
Always read the terms and conditions carefully before you place your first bet so you know exactly what you are in for.
Activating and Using Free Bets
As you see, many of the available FB bonuses in the UK are welcome offers. As such, they require you to meet specific eligibility criteria and complete the bonus activation steps. Here’s our short guide about how to activate the average free bet bonus.
- Read the promo’s terms carefully.
- Open the bookmaker’s website/app and sign-up.
- Enter a promo code (if necessary).
- Place a qualifying deposit.
- Place a qualifying bet.
- Settle your bet (if necessary).
- Claim your free bets.
How They Work: Types of Free Bets at UK Bookmakers
The list of sports bonuses that can be classified as ‘free bets’ is extensive. After consulting with my colleagues, I selected the following as the main representatives of the ‘free bets’ class of bonuses advertised by online UK bookmakers. You should remember that using a free bet is just one of the betting tools you have at your disposal. As a bettor, you want to give yourself the best possible chance to get a good return and make a profit on your betting. Check out our range of free bet calculators too that can also lend a helping hand.
Bet X get Y in Free Bets
This is the most common type of free bet deal you will see. Nearly every licenced bookmaker in the UK offers a free bet bonus for placing a qualifying bet. The bonus is straightforward. You simply place a qualifying bet, and once the bet settles, win or lose, the betting operator will award the bonus.
For instance, bet £10, get £50 in free bets. This means you have to bet at least £10 on select sports with specified minimum odds, and the bookie will award £50 to use for betting. The bonus bets are often tied to specified terms of use.
New Player Free Bets
Welcome, new player, sign-up free bets. The name can differ, but the offer is the same. It is an exclusive free bet deal for new members. The ‘new-player’ designation is the main distinguishing point of this bonus.
There can be multiple sub-types of welcome free bet offers, such as no deposit free bets, second-chance free bets, match deposit bets, etc. To become eligible, you must create and verify a new account and activate the bonus with a qualifying deposit, promo code, eligible bet, or something else.
Money Back as Free Bet Bonus
The ‘Money Back’ label designates a special type of bonus bet deal. It is a form of a refund bonus where if you stake a qualifying amount, and it loses, the bookie will refund that amount in the form of betting credits. Note that the refunded amount is deemed as ‘bonus funds,’ meaning you cannot cash it in.
The terms for this offer can differ. For instance, the bookie may offer money back for any specified result apart from a losing bet, such as if your horse fails to start or if you lose your acca bet as a result of a single selection.
Stake Not Returned
The main difference between Stake Not Returned (SNR) and other free bet deals is the amount of bonus bets you receive. Bet X Get Y deals can also be classified as Stake Not Returned. With regular bets, the bookie pays out both the winnings and the stake in the total payout. On the other hand, an SNR deal deducts the wagered amount from the payout, paying out only the winnings.
No Deposit Bet Credits
While not popular with the UK’s wider betting audience, some bookmakers, on occasion, still advertise no deposit bets. This occasion can be a much-anticipated tennis match, or an FA Cup final, to name a few examples. No deposit deals usually, but not necessarily, require a code or another form of activation, such as placing a qualifying bet, or verifying your phone number. The eligibility criteria and method of activation depend entirely on the operator.
Second-Chance Free Bets
Second-chance sports betting bonuses are awarded when a qualifying bet loses. If your bet wins, you won’t receive a bonus. So, you’ve just signed up and want to place a bet without a bonus. That is entirely your decision. But if your bet loses, you are left empty-handed. Enter second-chance bets. If your bet loses, the bookie will award a certain amount of money as free bets to allow you another shot at winning.
It’s worth noting that the bookie may attach specific terms about how you should stake your initial bet (qualifying sports, min. odds, min. bet amount, etc.).
Sport-specific free bets
The name is self-explanatory. Sport-specific free bet deals are awarded on specific sports only. In the UK, for example, bookies often offer them for football, but you can also find them for basketball, cricket, horse racing, and other mainstream sports. Money Back as Free Bet bonuses, SNR deals, or any other type of FB deal can be limited to a single sport.
Matched Free Bets
Similar to Bet X get Y deals, matched bonus bets differ only in that they offer the same amount you stake as a free bet. Where some bookies can award, for instance, £25 if you stake £10, with matched bonus bets you get the exact amount as you staked. For instance, if you stake £30, you get £30 in free bets.
This sub-category of FB bonuses can also be deposit-based. For instance, you will receive £20 in free betting credits if you deposit £10, £20, or another amount.
Free Bet Promo Codes
Bonus codes for free bets are combinations of numbers and letters, such as GET20, that activate specific deals. The betting site usually stamps the code on the bonus card so it can be clearly visible. Or, the code can be provided during sign- up and if you pass it over you won’t get another chance to claim the bonus. The terms of using and activating promotional codes are at the sole discretion of the betting site.
Complimentary Bonus Bets
Unlike welcome offers, complimentary free bets are typically awarded to regular players. UK betting sites use advanced technology to track your activity in order to provide more personalised services, including complimentary free bets. These usually don’t require a qualifying deposit but have highly specified terms.
Acca Free Bets
Some bookies award free bet bonuses for qualifying accumulator bets. For instance, you can create an acca ticket with 3 or more legs with specified minimum odds and minimum bet requirements. When you meet the bookie’s qualifying acca terms, it will award a free bet bonus if your first acca bet loses.
Combined Free Bet Deals
Many bookies offer a combined package comprising free sports bets and a casino bonus, usually in the form of free spins. The problem with these offers is you have to comply with the specific terms for both the sports bonus and the casino bonus. On the other hand, you can claim two bonuses with a minimum investment.
Are Free Bets really Free?
When you hear anything with the word ‘free’ in it in betting naturally you are drawn towards it. The name free bet comes from you not putting down any of your own money when using one of these offers. Instead of using up the funds in your account, the stakes are covered by the free bet credits you are given.
Though, there is a catch. Even though it is called a free bet, there is typically always an expense required before you receive a free bet, and most of the time, free bets cannot be cashed out.
This expense could take different forms, such as a qualifying bet or a first deposit, so you must understand what is required beforehand so you are not surprised at what you must do before getting your free bet token.
Best Football Betting Offers For Existing Users
Football is the biggest sport in the country. If, like us, you love to have a bet on the Premier League, EFL, Champions League, or any of the other competitions out there, here is a selection of some of the best free bets on the market for football.
Betfred Double Delight/Hat Trick Heaven
This is ideal for punters who like to bet on scorers, if that applies to you then look out for the matches that are eligible for this offer. Back a player to be first goalscorer, if it comes in, you are paid out as normal. However, if he scores a brace, Betfred will pay you at double the odds, if he makes it a hat trick you will get treble the odds. This is one of our favourite offers and we have made some considerable money on it over the last few years, thanks to the likes of Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
Ladbrokes Acca Bonus & Insure Offer
If you like an acca bonus and acca insurance, then you are in luck. Ladbrokes gives you both all in the same bet. All you need to do is place a qualifying bet and if it wins you get a bonus, and if it loses you will receive your stake back as a free bet. The phrase, ‘you can’t have the best of both worlds’ doesn’t apply to this offer!
Wagering Requirements: Free Bet T&Cs
Some of the free sports bets you see above seem identical. Bet £10 and get £40 is quite a common deal. Yet, bonus bets are like the proverbial iceberg: the face value is just a small percentage of what it actually comprises. Each betting site assigns specific terms of use, which you must read closely as they can differ from one bookie to another. There are, however, a few rules and requirements common among all free sports bet deals, such as:
- Wagering requirements: For sports bonuses, WR range between 1x and 10x.
- Minimum bet: Usually ranges between £5 and £10.
- Type of bet: Bookmakers tend to specify the type of bet you must place to qualify, such as an acca bet, single bet, football bet, horse racing bet, etc.
- Minimum odds: You must stake the min. bet on an event or events with specified min. odds (1/1, 2/1, etc.).
- Free bet expiration: Bonus bets expire within days of being credited. Read the terms to see exactly when the bonus bet expires.
- Free bet usage: Bookies usually set specific terms for using the free bonus bets. For instance, a £30 free bet bonus can be split into three £10 bets where each £10 free bet must be wagered according to the stated instructions (acca, bet builder, horse racing, football, etc.).
- Maximum winnings – Although not very common, sometimes you may find there is a cap on the winnings you achieve from free bets. This is important to know, especially if you are looking for the big payouts from accas free bets because you might get no gain if the payout exceeds the cap.
Can you Withdraw your Free Bets
As well as getting hold of your free bet winnings, some people may be wondering if they can also simply withdraw their free bets. Well the short answer to that is no, you can’t. Once you have met all of the criteria to to qualify for your free bets, you will not be able to withdraw them as cash directly, you must bet them on a sporting event of your choice. If that bet wins, you can then withdraw the winnings as usual, but always check the terms and conditions of your bookmaker.
Our Tips for New Players Claiming Free Bets?
The concept of claiming and using free bets seems simple at first. But my colleagues and I have been using free bets for years and trust me, it’s easier to make a mistake or misunderstand a rule than you think. With that in mind, we suggest you follow the bonus’s terms to the letter, paying special attention to the minimum deposit, minimum bet, type of bet you need to place, and so on.
Match betting is a popular strategy among casual bettors looking to squeeze maximum value. Here’s how it works.
Match Betting with Free Bets
Matched betting is a form of hedging whereby you bet on opposing outcomes at separate bookmakers. You don’t bet entirely with your own money; rather you look for bookies offering free bet deals, then use that deal to place an eligible bet. If hedging sounds like an interesting idea, have a look at our free hedging calculator to see how it can benefit your betting.
Once you place one bet at a given sportsbook using a free sports bet, you register/log in with another sportsbook and use its free bet (or your own money, it depends) to bet on the opposing outcome of the same event. This way, you are guaranteed a profit as you cover the two possible outcomes.
Note: If you use a free bet bonus on one site, you will likely have to use your own money to place a matched bet at another bookmaker. This is due to the highly specific terms of free bets on the second bookie, which may not allow you to cover the opposite outcome of your initial bet.
Gamble Responsibly
If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a hundred times: it’s mandatory you take a cautious approach to betting. Each of the aforementioned bookies is governed by an in-house policy on responsible gaming. It means you can use special tools and support features to get a handle on your activity.
Deposit limits, loss limits, and reminders (if available) are among the most effective and common features for managing your activity. Please read our responsible gambling page for more information and help if you need it.
