Free Bets

Free bets are a popular incentive offered by bookmakers, giving punters the chance to bet without using their own money. Get Your Tips Out looks at what they are, how to use them and the bookmakers offering them.

Whether you’re new to betting or an experienced punter, understanding how free bets work can significantly improve your betting results.

Here’s everything you need to know about free bets and how to make the most of them.

What are Free Bets?

A free bet is a bookmaker’s promotional tool designed to give you a chance to place a wager without risking your own money. Typically, if you win with a free bet, you’ll only receive the winnings and not the initial stake.

For example, if you bet £10 of free money on a horse at 5/1 and it wins, you’d receive £50 in profit, but the £10 free bet amount wouldn’t be returned.

Types of Free Sports Bets

Depending on which sport you prefer to wager bets on, we have listed the best betting offers broken down by sport:

What Bookmakers Offer Free Bets?

Here are the biggest bookmakers offering free bets on sports betting online:

Bet365: Bet365 offers free bets for both football and horse racing through promotions, including Bet Credits for new customers and Best Odds Guaranteed across various sports markets.
Sky Bet: Sky Bet provides free bets across football and horse racing with regular promotions like the Sky Bet Club and enhanced odds offers.
BetVictor: BetVictor offers free bets for sports betting with promotions like Bet Boosts, a welcome bonus for new customers, and ongoing offers for football and racing markets.
Spreadex: Spreadex offers free bets through spread betting bonuses and special markets, catering to both football and horse racing bettors.
Betfred: Betfred provides free bets, including offers like Double Delight, Hat-Trick Heaven, and Best Odds Guaranteed on both football and horse racing.
Paddy Power: Paddy Power offers free bets across football and horse racing with promotions like Power Prices and free bet refunds on losing bets.
Betfair: Betfair provides free bets via their sportsbook and Exchange, with Best Odds Guaranteed and special offers on football and horse racing.
Coral: Coral offers free bets with regular promotions like the Coral Bet & Get Club and enhanced prices, appealing to football and horse racing punters.
Tote: Tote offers free bets through pool betting promotions and unique offers like Tote+ price enhancements for both football and horse racing.
William Hill: William Hill provides free bets with Bet Boosts and money-back specials for football, horse racing, and other sports markets.
Unibet: Unibet offers free bets with sports betting promotions, including racing refunds, football odds boosts, and frequent offers across various sports.
BoyleSports: BoyleSports provides free bets for football and horse racing with promotions like Extra Places, Best Odds Guaranteed, and Acca insurance offers.

This guide explores how free bets work, the different types available, and how to make the most of these offers.

Types of Free Bets

Here are all the types of free bets:

No Deposit Free Bets

No deposit free bets are a risk-free option where the bookmaker grants you a free bet without requiring an initial deposit. These are ideal for new bettors who want to test the platform before committing.

Matched Free Bets

Matched free bets are commonly offered when you place a qualifying bet. The bookmaker matches your stake with a free bet of the same value, effectively doubling your betting power.

Risk-Free Bets

With risk-free bets, if your initial bet loses, the bookmaker refunds your stake, usually in the form of free bets. This allows punters to bet with reduced risk, knowing they’ll get a second chance if the bet fails.

Bet Credits

Bet Credits are another form of free bets where the bookmaker grants you a specific amount to use in place of cash. These are often part of welcome offers or ongoing promotions for existing customers.

How Do You Claim Free Bets?

Sign-up Bonuses: Most bookmakers provide free bets as part of their welcome offers. These promotions are often linked to your first deposit or bet.
Deposit Match Offers: Some betting sites match your initial deposit with a free bet, effectively doubling your betting balance.
No Deposit Free Bets: Occasionally, bookmakers offer free bets that require no deposit, allowing you to start betting without funding your account.
Promo Codes: Sometimes, you’ll need to enter specific promotional codes to unlock free bet offers. These are often tied to exclusive promotions or partnerships.
Ongoing Promotions: Existing customers can also benefit from free bet offers tied to major events, accumulator boosts, or specific sports.

How to Use Free Bets Effectively

Understand the Terms: Each free bet comes with specific terms and conditions. Always check the minimum odds, wager requirements, and eligible markets.
Betting on High-Value Odds: Use your free bets on higher odds to maximise potential profits.
Hedging Bets: By placing multiple bets on different outcomes, you can minimise risk. For instance, you can use your free bet to hedge against your original bet, ensuring some level of return.
Focus on Events with Promotions: Major sporting events often come with enhanced free bet promotions. For example, horse racing, football, and the Cheltenham Festival often have exclusive offers.
Build Accumulators: Free bets work particularly well in Accas, where you can combine multiple bets across events for bigger returns.

Benefits of Using Free Bets

Free bets offer several advantages:

Risk Reduction: You can place bets without risking your own funds, making it easier to try new markets or strategies.
Boosted Winnings: Free bets can lead to real cash payouts, providing an opportunity to maximise your returns without additional investment.
Trial for New Platforms: No deposit free bets allow you to test a bookmaker’s features before committing any money.

Free Bet Terms and Conditions

Minimum Odds: Many free bet offers require you to place bets on events with odds above a certain threshold (e.g., 1/2 or 2.00).
Wagering Requirements: Some bookmakers require you to wager the winnings from free bets several times before you can withdraw the money.
Time Limits: Free bets often come with an expiration period, ranging from 7 to 30 days. If you don’t use them in time, you’ll lose the free bet.
Eligible Markets: Some free bet offers are limited to specific sports or betting markets, such as football, horse racing, or tennis.
Non-withdrawable Stake: Most of the time, free bet stakes are non-withdrawable. This means you’ll only receive the winnings from your bet, not the initial stake.

Why Do Bookmakers Offer Free Bets?

Free bets are a marketing tool used by bookmakers to attract new customers and retain existing ones. By offering free bets, bookmakers give you the opportunity to explore their platform without immediate financial risk, hoping that you will enjoy the experience and continue betting with them.

For punters, this is an excellent way to experiment with new sports, markets, or betting strategies, without risking your bankroll.

Maximising Free Bet Offers for Horse Racing

Horse racing is one of the most popular sports for free bet offers. With high odds and a wide range of events, it’s an ideal market for maximising free bet promotions.

Cheltenham Festival: This premier horse racing event often comes with enhanced free bet offers, such as Bet £10, Get £30 promotions.
Accumulator Racing Bets: Use free bets to build accumulators across multiple races, increasing the potential payout.

Tips for Maximising Free Bets

To get the most out of your free bets:

Read the terms carefully: Ensure you understand the restrictions, such as minimum odds or expiration dates.
Choose low-risk bets: For risk-free bets, opt for markets with higher probabilities to increase your chances of a win or refund.
Use strategically: Target high-value odds or accumulator bets to maximise potential returns without additional risk.

Top Bookmakers Offering Free Bets

Here’s a list of top bookmakers that offer free bets for horse racing and other sports:

Bet365: Offers Bet Credits and Best Odds Guaranteed.
Sky Bet: Provides free bets through the Sky Bet Club and enhanced odds.
BetVictor: Delivers free bet offers with their welcome bonuses and regular promotions.
Paddy Power: Known for their Power Prices and risk-free bet promotions.
Betfred: Offers promotions like Double Delight and Hat-Trick Heaven.
William Hill: Provides Bet Boosts and free bet refunds on select races.

These bookmakers have various promotions and free bet offers to boost your betting potential, especially on horse racing markets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do free bets expire?
Yes, most free bets come with an expiration date, usually ranging from 7 to 30 days after being issued.

Can I withdraw winnings from free bets?
Yes, but typically, only the winnings (excluding the stake) from the free bet are withdrawable, and wagering requirements may apply.

Can free bets be used on any sport?
In most cases, yes, but some free bets are restricted to specific markets like horse racing or football. Always check the offer details.

Do I get the stake back with a free bet? No, you typically only receive the winnings from a free bet, not the original stake.

What are the wagering requirements for free bets? Wagering requirements refer to the number of times you need to bet your free bet winnings before you can withdraw them. This varies from bookmaker to bookmaker.

Can I withdraw free bet winnings immediately? Depending on the bookmaker’s terms, you may need to meet wagering requirements before withdrawing winnings.

What happens if my free bet loses? If you lose a free bet, you simply lose the opportunity to win; no money is deducted from your account.

Are there free bets for existing customers? Yes, many bookmakers offer ongoing promotions and loyalty rewards to existing customers, including free bets tied to specific events or accumulators.

Conclusion

Free bets are a fantastic way to kickstart your betting experience or to experiment with new strategies without risking your own money. At Get Your Tips Out, we recommend using these promotions wisely to make the most of your betting opportunities, especially when betting on horse racing.

Make sure to read the terms and conditions, understand wagering requirements, and use strategic bets such as accumulators to maximise your chances of profit.

For the latest and best free bet offers, stay tuned to our site or check out trusted partners for up-to-date promotions.