Free Bets: Best Betting Sign Up Offers UK December 2024

Find the best free bet offers, reviewed by our in-house sports betting team.

Updated at: October 7th, 2024
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What are the best free bets in the UK?

The best free bet offers can be found at Betfred, Boyle Sports and Betway UK. These bookies offer top sign-up offers, which give customers the chance to make signifficant gains from smaller initial bet totals, making them the best free bets currently in the UK.Claim their great offers below now!

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Betfred9.5Claim Offer
Bet £10 & Get £50 in Free Bets

New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply.

BoyleSports9.0Claim Offer
Bet £10 & Get £20 in Free Bets + Get paid out early if your team goes 1 goal ahead

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply. 18+. Applies to bets placed on 1 Goal Ahead market. Get paid out as a winner if your team takes the lead, even if they draw or lose. 90 mins only. Applies to Singles & Multiples. Account & payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

Betway UK8.3Claim Offerbetway.com
Get £10 in Free Bets

*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+. GambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way. Full Terms apply.

Current betting sign-up offers compared for UK punters 2024

Here we've ranked some of the best betting sign-up offers based on our overall ratings of the betting sites in the UK.

Yes, a free bet is a free bet, but you also want to make sure you are using a solid bookmaker.

We only recommend sites licensed by the UK Gambling Commission too.

You can read about how test and rate bookmakers here.

What is a free bet & how do they work?

A free bet is a promotional offer provided by bookies to attract new customers or reward existing ones. It allows you to place a bet without using your own money.

Instead, the bookmaker covers the free bet stake, giving you a chance to win real money.

Here's how it works: When you receive a free bet, you can use it to place a wager on any market or event offered by the bookmaker. If your bet wins, you usually receive the winnings, minus the stake amount of the free bet. For instance, if you have a £10 free bet and win, you might receive £20 in cash, but not the initial £10 stake.

Free bets come with terms and conditions. These may include minimum odds requirements, bet restrictions, or expiry dates. It’s essential to read these terms to ensure you make the most of your offer.

Types of free bets

Free bets come in various forms, each designed to attract and reward different types of bettors.

Here are the most common types of free bets you might encounter:

No Deposit Free Bets: These are given without requiring any initial deposit. Simply sign up with the bookmaker, and you receive a free bet to use on your first wager. This type is ideal for trying out a new site without risking your own money.

Matched Bets: With matched free bets, the bookmaker offers a free bet that matches the amount of your initial deposit or bet. For example, if you deposit £20, you may receive a £20 free bet. This type often requires you to place a qualifying bet first.

Risk-Free Bets: If your first bet loses, a risk-free bet refunds your stake up to a specified amount. This means you get another chance to bet without losing your initial stake. The refund is often given as a free bet, not cash.

Free Bet Credits: These are credits given as part of a promotional offer. You use these credits to place a bet, and any winnings are paid out minus the stake amount. For instance, a £10 free bet credit will not add £10 to your winnings but will cover your stake.

Enhanced Odds Free Bets: Bookmakers offer these to boost the odds on a particular event or market. By using the free bet on enhanced odds, you can potentially win more than with standard odds.

Loyalty Free Bets: Rewarding regular customers, these free bets are given based on your betting history. They are often part of a loyalty or rewards program and may come with specific conditions.

What should I look for when choosing free bets?

When selecting free bets, it's crucial to consider several factors to ensure you get the best value.

  • Terms and Conditions: Always read the terms attached to a free bet. Look for minimum odds requirements, eligible markets, and any restrictions. This helps you understand how to use the free bet effectively.

  • Wagering requirements: Some free bets come with wagering requirements. This means you need to bet a certain amount before you can withdraw any winnings. Lower requirements are generally better.

  • Expiry dates: Check how long you have to use the free bet. Free bets with shorter expiry dates may not be as useful if you cannot use them in time.

  • Minimum bet limits: Be aware of any minimum bet limits required to use the free bet. Ensure these limits fit within your betting strategy.

  • Betting markets: Verify which sports or events you can bet on with the free bet. Some offers are restricted to specific markets or events.

  • Free bet value: Compare the value of the free bet to the stake or deposit required. A higher value free bet often provides better potential returns.

  • Withdrawal options: Check if winnings from the free bet can be withdrawn as cash or if they come with additional conditions. Flexible withdrawal options are preferable.

Free bets vs betting bonuses

Betting bonuses are promotional offers from bookmakers designed to boost your betting experience.

When you make your first deposit, a bookmaker might add a bonus amount, allowing you to place larger bets without using all of your own money.

For example, if you receive a £50 bonus, you can use it for a single bet or split it into smaller bets, depending on the bookmaker’s rules.

Another common type of bonus is the free bet. This usually involves receiving tokens that represent the bonus amount. These tokens can be used to place bets, but often come with restrictions on the sports or markets where they can be used. Additionally, free bet tokens may not be split into smaller bets or used across multiple markets.

Selecting the best free bet or bonus offer can be tricky, as many bookmakers provide various promotions. Free bets and bonus bets might appear similar but have key differences.

Free bets generally require you to place an initial bet to receive the bonus, while bonus offers often provide more flexibility. For instance, a “Bet £10, Get £30 in free bets” offer lets you place several smaller bets, which can be helpful for new bettors.

Be aware that some bonuses might only be used for specific products like casino games or poker. Always review the terms and conditions of any bonus offer to understand its requirements.

Free bets terms & conditions explained

When exploring free bets, it's essential to grasp the terms and conditions associated with them.

Here’s a guide to help you navigate these conditions:

1. Offer size and restrictions

Larger free bet promotions often come with more stringent conditions. For example, a £40 free bet might have stricter rules compared to a £20 free bet.

Evaluate whether the higher amount justifies the additional conditions or if a smaller, less restrictive free bet might be more suitable for your betting needs.

2. Expiration period

Free bets typically have a set expiration date. It's important to be aware of this timeframe to avoid losing your bonus.

Ensure you use the free bet within the allowed period, or it will become invalid.

3. Winning limits

Some free bets impose a cap on the maximum winnings you can achieve.

This means that even if your bet is successful, there might be a limit to how much you can win.

Checking for any maximum payout limits helps you manage your expectations and plan your bets accordingly.

4. Minimum odds requirements

Free bets often come with minimum odds stipulations.

For instance, you may need to place your bet at odds of 2.00 (Evens) or higher to qualify. Understanding these odds requirements ensures that your free bet is valid and used effectively.

5. Minimum deposit rules

Many free bet offers require a minimum deposit. Even if the free bet amount seems small, you might need to deposit a specific amount to qualify for the offer.

For instance, an enhanced odds offer might necessitate a deposit of £5 or £10, rather than just £1.

6. Payment method eligibility

Different payment methods might be eligible for claiming free bets.

While a bookmaker might accept various payment options, only certain methods may qualify for the free bet promotion.

Check which payment methods are accepted to ensure your bonus is credited without issues.

7. Timing of bonus credit

The timing of when free bets are credited can vary.

Some free bets are added to your account immediately after meeting the initial requirements, while others may be credited only after your qualifying bets are settled.

Understanding this timing helps you plan how to use your free bets effectively.

How to bet responsibly with free bets

Although knowing your sports helps, betting is primarily luck-based, so use these top tips to practice responsible gambling when placing a bet:

  • Limits: The best baseball betting sites allow you to set betting limits, i.e. limit how much you can bet in one session, a week, or a month.

  • Cashouts: You can withdraw your winnings quite easily from any betting site, preventing you from spending all of your winnings.

  • Help & resources: Betting sites provide access to resources for problem gamblers and point them to organizations that can help with gambling addiction.

To help with gambling, we created a 'How To Bet On Sports' guide, that helps new gamblers understand the industry better - playing safer and more securely.

Problem gambling organisations and charities in the UK

Organisation

Contact details

Gamble Aware

24/7 Phone: 0808 8020 133, Live chat available on the home page

PGCS

Phone: 0300 0300 111

The NHS Gambling Addiction page has detailed information on charities, trusts, and centres you can contact for help with gambling addiction. Plus, they have a lot of information on strategies for dealing with and preventing addiction in your day-to-day life. Click the link to access the page.

Frequently asked questions

Are there any free bet offers no deposit?
Can you bet for free?
Do free bets pay real money?
Can I cash out winnings from free bets?
Are free bets risk-free?
What happens if you lose a free bet?
Do I lose money on bonus bets?
What are the best free bets for existing customers?
What are the advantages of free bets?
What are the disadvantages of free bets?
What are the types of free bets for existing customers?
Do free bets expire?
What is a cashback free bet?
How do I claim my free bets?
What are the best betting apps with free bets?
What are the best betting sites with free bets?
How to best use free bets?

Editorial policy

Our editorial policy ensures thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content through strict sourcing standards and diligent review by top betting experts and seasoned editors.

This process maintains the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

References

To test UK free bet offers accurately, we dive into analytical research of the British gambling industry, to understand what features are best for you.

Below are the references we use when making these decisions:

Author

Bradley Gibbs

With over 12 years of experience, Bradley Gibbs is a seasoned sports betting writer and tipster specialising in uncovering value bets across football, horse racing, tennis, and golf. His extensive coverage of these sports has been featured on numerous websites and in The Racing & Football Outlook, a renowned UK betting publication. Bradley's expertise lies in identifying betting edges and delivering insightful, data-driven content for informed wagering.

Josh Miller

Josh Miller, Sporting Post’s Sports & Casino Editor, brings over five years of experience in feature writing, blogging, and SEO. With a strong background in football coverage and sports betting, his work has been featured in VAVEL. Josh also writes extensively about online casinos, providing expert insights into games, bonuses, and gambling trends. His engaging and informative content makes him a reliable resource for Sporting Post readers.