Free Bets & Sign Up Offers

What is a free bet?

We can define a free bet as the welcome offer a bookmaker gives away to attract new potential users and give them the chance to use their betting platform for the first time. It can be redeemed as a percentage of the first amount invested or as a fixed amount that it is added to the first deposit.

In the following paragraphs, we will explain everything you need to know to make the most of the best free bet offers. Read the terms and conditions of each offer and of each UK bookmaker as each of them are very different. For example, some bookmakers might require you to place a minimum deposit once you open an account to claim the free bet or sign up offer. The following page has some live examples of free bet offers with no deposit.

Different types of free bets:

1. Betting amount matched
2. Free betting credits
3. No deposit needed
4. Fixed amount is added to your first deposit
5. Fixed amount is added to your free bet

Some welcome offers might be only available for certain odds or sports, but generally you will be able to use bookie offers on football, golf, horse racing, tennis, and most major sports. Here, you can check out the best bookie special offers organised by sports and type of customer.

How to choose your free bet

All bookmakers have their own terms and conditions that you must read carefully. However, the main rule to be eligible for a free bet sign-up offer is being a new customer of the specific bookmaker. The process is very simple. Check all the deals listed above, what the bookie is offering you and select the best option.

Click via desktop, table or mobile on any of the proposed offers and you will be redirected to the bookmaker’s site to create a new account. You must follow the bookmaker’s sign-up procedure, including providing information to verify your age and identity, to create an account. Usually you do not need to use the whole credit balance in your first bet and you can distribute as you wish. You can check your remaining account balance in your bookmaker’s account dashboard.

How do free bets work?

There are many bookmakers in the sports sector for customers to bet on their favourite teams, players, racehorses, etc. Everyone has heard of William Hill, Betfair and Paddy Power, but there are many other bookies out there with great offers and odds that you might like to check out.

There are some basic conditions you need to know:

1. A free bet might have an expiration date from when it drops into your account.
2. In order to qualify for the promotion, users may need to make a minimum deposit or a minimum stake as their first bet on a single or each-way.
3. A promotion can apply to the first bet or could be applicable to future betting actions.
4. Small stakes might not qualify for free bets, each bookie will have their own requirements.
5. Customers may only claim an offer once.
6. Generally, credits from free bets cannot be withdrawn from a platform in cash or by a bank transfer, unless the offer terms specifically state that the winnings will be paid in cash.
7. All bookmakers have their own terms and conditions that you must read carefully.

What should you look for when choosing free bets?

A Free bet gives customers the chance to try out a new bookie platform. It is very important to read the terms and conditions of the offer before you sign-up and check the following points:

1. Is there any minimum deposit?
2. How much do you need to bet?
3. Which bet is actually benefited from the offer?
4. Do all the odds qualify for the free bet?
5. Is the offer only available sports or events?
6. Does there need to be a specific number of outcomes?
7. Does the free bet have an expiry date?
8. When is the free bet available and how can you check it on your account?
9. Do you need to bet a minimum number of times before withdrawing the bonus credit?

Thousands of people in the UK enjoy gambling every day, taking advantage of the many free bets and no deposit promotions. We need to make sure that all promotions are fair, transparent and always in compliance with consumers’ laws in the United Kingdom.

All the offers are committed to follow the Competition and Markets Authority guidelines. All the bookmakers listed above are UK licensed and follow the standards developed by GamCare, the leading provider of information, advice and support for betting players. You can also check the charity Gamble Aware to get independent gambling information.

List of UK bookies offering free bets

There is a large number of bookmakers that offer a free bet online, for example:

1. William Hill
2. Virgin Bet
3. bet365
4. Betfred
5. Betfair
6. Betvictor
7. Coral
8. Ladbrokes
9. 888sport
10. William Hill
11. Paddy Power
12. Sky Bet

All the bookies listed on Oddschecker are UK licenced and follow security and regulation guidelines from the Gambling Commission, an institution that was set under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain. Oddschecker provides free and independent information for players.

What are betting bonuses?

Betting bonuses are a fixed amount that is added to your first deposit. In other words, the bookmaker allows you to place more money for your first bet without risking all of your own money. It is up to you to use the credit balance in accordance with the terms of the bookmaker in question.

For example, if you receive a £75 bonus, you may be able to use it to bet on one single stake or divide it in smaller wagers. In the case of free bets, the bookies generally credit a free token or number of tokens that are equivalent to the total bonus amount on settlement of your qualifying bet.

There are often limitations on which sports and markets tokens can be redeemed on. For example, tokens often cannot be redeemed in multiple betting markets and may not be permitted to be divided into separate stakes.

This means as a punter, your betting choices may be limited when you are using free bet tokens. Some bookies might also set a rule regarding the minimum number of bets you need to make in order to be able to make withdrawals. Sometimes you need to place bets equal or greater than the welcome bonus.

List of example bookie offers:

In this table, you can see an example of welcome offers you can find across bookmakers in the UK. Each bookmaker has their own terms and conditions that apply to their offers, which you must read carefully. On both desktop and mobile, you can redeem the promotional deal by clicking on the link shown which will take you to the provider’s website.

What are the best free bets for existing customers?

The best free bets are usually reserved for new customers only and are available for people registering with a bookmaker for the first time. However, there are plenty of promotions for existing customers, with bookies looking to increase retention and reward loyalty. Many of the biggest bookmakers in the UK have loyalty programs, betting clubs or promo deals for existing players.

These types off offers are normally available to use during a specific time period or every time you deposit a minimum amount. For example, some bookmakers offer you free bets if you place your bets on the recommended accumulator or if there is a big betting event coming up, like the Champions League final. Interestingly, 40% of UK bets are lower than £2 according to this study from the Gambling Commission.

The best Cheltenham betting offers for 2023

bet365

bet365 is one of the leading UK bookmakers and their new customer offer for Cheltenham certainly reflects that. You can get £30 in free bets to use during Cheltenham with just an initial £10 deposit via bet365.

Bet UK

Bet UK are one of the newest and best bookmakers to the UK market and they have a fantastic offer for new customers during Cheltenham. You can unlock £60 in free bets to use throughout Festival week by initially depositing £20.

Betfred

Betfred are one of the oldest and most established bookmakers in the UK and they have a great offer for new customers during Cheltenham. You can get £40 in free bets from a £10 first bet.

Best Odds Guaranteed

Free bet calculator

You can calculate the potential earnings from any type of bet or check the results of bets that have already been placed with our bet calculator. You just need to fill out the following information:

1. Your stake used on the bet.
2. Bet type (fractional or decimal).
3. Indicate if there is any specific terms, for example, a complex bet like a lucky 15.

What to use your free bets on in March 2023

• 5 Mar: Premier League - Liverpool vs Man United
• 11 Mar: Premier League - Leicester vs Man City
• 12 Mar: Premier League - Fulham vs Arsenal
• 14-17 Mar: Horse Racing - Cheltenham Festival

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