If you are new to online betting, free bets might sound like a foreign concept or even puzzling. Why in the world would an online betting platform give its customers free money? What’s the catch? And how will they make money in the long run?
Well, first off, free bets are not exactly free money. But if you are a smart punter, it can be. You can think of free bets like a golden opportunity to place bets without the normal risk. You will get your winnings if the bet you place wins.
The only difference between free bets and normal bets is that the betting platform gives you the money to bet, and the wins are not available immediately until you fulfil some preset requirements. Also, since you don’t place the stake when you win, the stake is not included in your winnings.
Interesting right? So, where can you get these free bets? Surprisingly, they are common. Most betting platforms offer thousands of money in free bets. Many of these free bets are given to newcomers as a reward for creating an account.
Before we list the top online betting platforms offering free bets, here is some information you should have on free bets.
Contents
Why do online betting companies give free bets?
The point of giving free bets is to entice potential players to sign up onto the account and make deposits. In return for their upfront generosity, betting platforms have their fingers crossed that you will love them enough to make them your preferred betting platform.
What is the catch?
Like with most promises that sound too good to be true, there is a catch with free bets. It’s nothing complicated or implicating. And if you play your cards right, you can still use the free bets to your benefit.
Some betting platforms make the process of claiming their free bets a breeze. With some, you don’t even have to make an initial deposit. However, many insist that you use some of your money before you withdraw any bet wins.
To qualify for free bets, you need to:
- Create an account with a betting site of your choice, preferably one that is reputable and in the list below). When creating an account, you should take some time to verify it.
- Register valid payment methods and make an initial deposit
- Use the money you have put in your account to place a bet. The value of the bet will determine how much money the betting site gives you in the form of free bets.
Playthrough requirements
If you come across a generous bet, you should look at the playthrough requirements before you accept the offer. Why are the playthrough requirements important? Well, because they represent the number of times you have to place a bet (or the value of extra bets you should place) before you get access to the wins from free bets.
Playthrough requirements are usually described in multiples, i.e., 30x, 40x, or 25x. To determine the value of bets you should place, multiply the multiple with the value of the free bets. If you receive £100 in free bets and the betting site has a 30x playthrough requirement, you will have to bet £3000 before you can withdraw your wins from the free bet.
[infobox color=”#aacbff” textcolor=”#000000″ icon=”info-circle”] Note: playthrough requirements differ from one betting site to the next. [/infobox]Geographical Restrictions
A betting site can apply a geographic restriction to the free bets. In such instances, the site will provide a list of countries where the free bet is available or those that don’t qualify (whichever is shorter).
[infobox color=”#aacbff” textcolor=”#000000″ icon=”info-circle”] Note: If the site doesn’t mention geographical restrictions, assume there are none and proceed to claim the free bets. [/infobox]How Should You Use Free Bets?
There are lots of ways to leverage free bets. Below are some ideas on how you can make a fortune from free bets.
- Doubling your bankroll – this is by far the easiest way to use free bets. If you have a bet in mind, you can place it with a betting site that will offer free bets. Doing so will double the money in your account.
- Hedge your bet – if you have a bet you are not confident with, you can use the free bets to wager on one outcome and your deposit money to bet on a different outcome. In this case, the free bet becomes a hedge. It protects your bet so that whichever way the bet goes, it’s a win or you. This simple tactic almost assures you of a win without you spending extra money.
- Convert the free bet into free money – alternatively, you can employ a strategy known as matched betting. Here you will place a bet with the betting site and then use a betting exchange platform to bet against the outcome of your initial bet. And since you didn’t spend hard cash placing the initial bet, you are guaranteed of profits regardless of the outcome.
Top betting sites offering free bets in the UK
Before we get into the top free bet sites in the UK, here is a quick overview of how we arrived at this list. Our criteria involved considering the below factors:
- Trustworthiness and security – this is most essential. To ascertain this quality, we reviewed the site’s reputation, associated licensing, customer reviews, and age.
- Payments – here, we considered the different deposit and withdrawal options and the speed of the various options. We also look at the associated fees, limitations, and reliability of the payment methods.
- User interface – the graphics and the experience should be top-notch for a smooth and memorable experience on the platform. It should also not be difficult to navigate through the platform.
- Betting options – the betting site should have different sports, markets, and events.
- Promotions and bonuses – in addition to free bets, the site should give more incentives to keep punters intrigued.
Betway has been making ripples, no, waves in the UK betting industry for quite some time. Aside from offering a great platform for punters to place their bets, Betway has weaved its way into sport and sport event sponsorships. This is their way of helping different sports offer even better quality and improve the overall experience for punters around the world. It is involved in snooker and the Premier League outfits, including West Ham United FC. If it maintains this trajectory, Betway will be a household name and be unstoppable.
If you are into football, you will love the simple yet extensive and competitive football markets offered on Betway. It has in-play, Acca Insurance special, and cash out along with all football markets you could think of.
Moreover, through Betway Enhanced Odds, the platform offers some enhanced sports odds from UFC to football to combat sports, snooker, and American football. All this ensures that you have access to impeccable value.
As for payments, there is a range of payment options to explore. These include:
- ClickandBuy
- All major debit and credit cards
- Citadel Direct
- Direct Bank Transfer
- ecoPayz
- Paypal
- Neteller
- Skrill
- Paysafe Card
And for those who are always on the move, you will appreciate the Betway App. The App allows you to place bets from any location provided you have an internet connection.
If you ever need help, you can reach their friendly customer support team any day of the week through a toll-free number – 0808 238 9841. Alternatively, you can use their live chat or shoot them an email through [email protected].
Pros:
- It has live streaming
- It is a reputable betting platform
- It has a cash-out option
Cons:
- The desktop site is cluttered
- The mobile application misses some features available on the desktop site
- It doesn’t accept players living in the US
Although it was only set up in 2001, it has shaken things up in the UK betting industry. They are among the most visited betting site in the UK. Its big break came in 2006 when they got a license from Malta. As a regulated betting site, NetBet was awarded the Best Overall Sports Betting Site in 2016.
What sets them apart from the rest is their heavy use of tech to provide great betting experience. SBtech provides NetBet with the technology they need and helps them in their promotions. On NetBet, you can place a bet on a myriad of events, including the NBA, MLB, and the UEFA. Some of these games have the best odds in the industry.
Moreover, NetBet has a high payout of 95.8%. They revise this percentage yearly for fair gaming and transparency. NetBet also has live betting. Thousands of live events go up every month. You can place a bet on the pre-match or the live event through your desktop or your mobile device.
As for deposits, you can use different options, including Trustly, Skrill, PayPal, Paysafe, GiroPay, ecoPayz, and popular credit and debit cards. The minimum deposit and withdrawal for these methods is £10.
And in addition to free bets, you get a 50% deposit bonus. Regular customers get promotions to keep the experience interesting. Last but not least, aside from sports betting, NetBet also offers casino gaming, including roulette, slots, poker, and live casino.
Pros:
- Variety of betting options and sports
- Detailed website
- Offers casino gaming
Cons:
- It is not available in the USA
- It doesn’t have live streaming
- Some of their playthrough requirements are high
If you are into horse racing, you should consider joining MansionBet. This bookmaker is a brainchild of the renowned MansionBet family, and it is exceptional. It has a firm grasp of the market, and as such, it’s safe to assume it doesn’t disappoint.
MansionBet follows in the footsteps of its creator and has a concise and clear website from which punters place their bets. The design is minimalist, and it loads fast. On the homepage, you will come across live events displayed in a table so that you don’t need to scroll through a long list of information. To sweeten the experience, the live events come with great markets, including those that aren’t as popular. You should expect no less than 50 betting options.
Aside from the site, MansionBet has other features, including in-play. When you sign up for the platform, you will get £50 to get you started. But to get this bonus, you will have to use the MB50 bonus code. And unlike other bookmakers, the wagering requirements aren’t steep. Provided you deposit £10 and place a bet of 4/5 or higher, you are good to go.
MansionBet comes with a betting app that allows you to place bets even when you are away from home. The functions and features of the App mimic those of the desktop site. The App is available on Android and iOS. It is light and will not have you sacrificing speed for convenience.
Everything is straight forward on the platform. But if you ever run into problems, you can contact customer support between 9 am, and 1 am GMT through email or the phone numbers available on the website.
Pros:
- It has many markets
- The odds are competitive
- It has in-play technology
Cons:
- It doesn’t have live streaming
- Limited deposit options
- Customer support isn’t available 24/7
Coral is the child company of Gala, a reputable online bookmaker. The two are known for their excellence in their gambling and betting industry. They are an online platform but also has numerous shops in high-streets in the UK. Continuous upgrades and overhauls of the site and the system ensures that you always get the best from the platform.
The football betting on the platform is an exhilarating experience. The odds are perfect, as are those on tennis and American football. These odds provide you with the best value in any sporting event. You can browse through the platform on the desktop site or on your mobile through the Coral app.
As for payment, you can use Coral Connect. This is a service that brings all the coral betting platforms under one roof. If you prefer betting online, or at the betting shops or on your mobile (or a combination of the three), the Coral Connect Card will make life easier for you.
The customer support team is available seven days a week between 7 am and midnight. You can reach the team through Internal messaging from your account through live chat, telephone, or your shoot them and email. The telephone number 0800 44 00 11 is toll-free if you live in the UK.
Pros:
- It has live streaming
- Has great odds on horse races
- It has a cash-out feature
Cons:
- Limited live streaming
- The mobile app is a little clumsy
- The welcome bonus is not as high
Given the size of its empire, the managing company has over 60,000 persons worldwide working in its casinos and resorts in Hong Kong, Korea, China, Malaysia, Singapore, the Caribbean, and the USA.
The Genting platform in the UK also includes Genting Casino with over 50 properties. Four of these are in London. With all the money it is swimming in, it can afford to give £25 in free bets to new customers. But this is not the only thing it has to offer. Gentingbet also has numerous football markets. And though it doesn’t support many sports like other platforms on the list, it does a good job of offering a wide array of markets. But if you are a horse racing enthusiast, you’ll not be disappointed.
In regards to payments, Gentingbet accepts all major credit and debit cards in the UK. They also accept Skrill. However, they have a minimum deposit limit of £50. This is higher than what most online bookmakers but them more than makeup for it with their welcome bonus.
For a company with a rich history like Gentingbet, you expect a lot. And boy, do they deliver. Part of the services you expect from the bookmaker include:
- Live betting
- High odds
- Casino
- 24/7 support
- Cash-out
Pros:
- The Genting empire started in 1965
- It has a great user interface
- Mobile App for iOS and Android platforms
Cons:
- Only available in the UK
- Limited deposit and withdrawal methods
- In-play betting is a work in progress
Verdict
Even if you can afford to place high bets, you still appreciate free bets. These offers will help you save some cash and cushion your losses if you are a beginner and are still learning the ropes. But before you accept any free bets, read through the T&Cs. Remember, the devil is always in the details.
FAQs
How can I use my free bets?
Free bets are just like real money only that you did not deposit it. As such, you can use it just like you would real money to place bets on any sport and market. The restrictions come in with the playthrough requirements when you want to make a withdrawal.
Do free bets expire?
Yes, they do. Betting sites place ‘expiry dates’ on these bonuses to create a sense of urgency and help cause action while the idea of betting is still fresh in your mind.
How can I get the free bets?
For some bookmakers, you get free bets when you use a code they provide, and for others, you access the free bets after losing your first bet. The process of claiming free bets is different for bookmakers.