Current Free Bets and Betting Offers for New and Existing Customers
Discover our top recommendations for the best free bets in the UK here. Based on the evaluations from our team of expert reviewers, these are the leading options for free bets overall. Click on the betting site name to head to the complete offer guide and how to qualify.
# | Free Bets Offer | Bookmaker |
---|---|---|
1 | £30 matched free bet if Your 1st Acca Loses +100 Free Spins on More Unusual Suspects | Betway Sign Up Offer |
2 | Bet £10 get £40 in Bonuses | Unibet Welcome Offer |
3 | bet £10 get £50 in Free Bets | Betfred Promo Code Guide |
4 | Bet £10 get £50 | PariMatch Welcome Offer |
5 | Bet £10 get £20 in Free Bets + 50 Free Spins | Midnite Welcome Offer |
6 | Bet £10, get £40 in Free Bets | SBK Sign Up Offer |
7 | Get £30 in Free Bets when you bet £10 | Betano Promo Code |
8 | Bet a Tenner, Get £20 on Any Sports | talkSPORTBET Sign Up Offer |
9 | Bet £10 on Football, Get £40 in free bets | BetVictor Bonus Code |
10 | Bet £10 get £40 in Bonuses | Tote Welcome Offer |
The current Top 10 Free bets in the UK, chosen by our experts, have a combined £460 in Free bets available, mainly for a £10 initial deposit and bet. That's as high as we have seen that figure from the top ten for several months.
Let's examine those in more detail. We have pulled some of our users' comments from the full review pages.
1. betway
Founded in 2006, Betway stands out as a top betting site, renowned for its sportsbook, Price Boosts, and Free Bet Club. Enjoy superb eSports betting, free jackpot predictor games, and a maximum bonus of £30 for new accounts. Join the best FREE BET CLUB today!
My experience with betway is excellent. Easy deposit and withdrawal.
OLBG Member - faizi789
Pros
Best bookmaker for cricket
Ranks in OLBG’s Top 10s for eight different categories
Impressive esports coverage
Cons
Mainly automated customer service
2. Unibet
Unibet lead the pack with one of the better bet and get offers, with a £10 bet being rewarded with £40 in bonuses, as one of the biggest brands this really is the all round package.
Layout is simple and easy to work with
OLBG User Fjezze
Pros
One of the best bet builder products
Good best odds guaranteed offering for horse racing.
Great free bets club
Cons
It wasn't rated in our top six for in-play bookmakers
Wasn't rated highly as a cash-out bookmaker
The mobile experience could be better.
3. Betfred
Established in 1967, Betfred is a leading online bookmaker famed for its rich bonuses on multi-bets like Goals Galore and Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven. With diverse football betting markets and standout sponsorships, Betfred truly reigns as the Bonus King!
Perfect online bookies and very easy to use, lots to bet on, easy to place a bet, good gaming selection and easy to make withdrawals
OLBG Member - rawchris
Pros
No.1 bookmaker for Acca Insurance
Ranks in OLBG’s Top 10s for nine different categories
Best place for bonuses
Cons
No esports betting
4. PariMatch
Parimatch offers a Bet £10, Get 4 x £10 free bets plus a £10 slot bonus for Big Bass Splash with 30x wagering. Specializing in in-play betting, it features extensive coverage of over 20 sports and 600+ daily events.
Perfect online bookies and very easy to use, lots to bet on, easy to place a bet, good gaming selection and easy to make withdrawals, good live chat options. Overall great
OLBG Member - rawchris
Pros
Excellent esports coverage
Great boxing offering
Good in play offering
Cons
Withdrawal process could be faster
Not one of the best racing products
Could be better for bet builders
5. Midnite
Midnite are fairly new on OLBG but are proving very popular both on the sports and casino side thanks to a great product. A Bet £10 Get £20 in Free bets welcome offer, chucking in a further 50 free spins
Friendly website easy to use and helpful service.
OLBG Member - crossfire1
Pros
No wager free spins with no win cap
iOS and Android casino apps
Free, 24 hour withdrawals including PayPal
Superb range of casino and slot games
Ability to create 'Favourites' lobby
Cons
Could do with more payment methods
No progressive jackpot slot games
6. SBK
SBK, a leading UK betting site from Smarkets, offers unmatched odds and expert advice through its award-winning app. Featuring live odds comparison and a simple welcome offer of Bet £10, Get £40, it ranks high in OLBG’s top categories.
Lots of new and intriguing offers to get new customers on board. Decent layout and decent withdrawl times as well.
OLBG Member - PhilDray
Pros
Attractive Welcome Bonus
User-Friendly Mobile App
Extensive Betting Markets
Cons
Limited Cash-Out Options
Website Limitations
7. Betano
Betano offers a Bet £10 get £30 welcome promotion. Competing strongly in the market, Betano excels with comprehensive event coverage, exceptional in-play betting, and numerous price boosts. It's a multi-award-winning, UKGC-regulated operator, newly available to the UK.
Great bookie, lot of sports and lines to bet.
OLBG Member - vhtiips
Pros
Extensive Bonus Options
Rich Selection of Betting Markets
Mobile App Availability
Cons
Limited Payment Processing Times
Navigation Learning Curve
8. talkSPORTBET
TalkSPORT BET offers up to £30 in free bets for new mobile sign-ups with opt-in. No promo code is needed. Bet £10, and receive free bets for selected markets across various sports, including notable football and Best Odds Guaranteed offers.
Always like trying out new bookmakers and these guys offer some nice bonuses here and there, I’d recommend trying them out
OLBG Member - Headers10
Pros
One of the newer betting brands
Football focussed and as such a good option
Good promotions
Cons
Not as established as bigger brands
Differing views regarding branding the radio station with a bookmaker
The only difference to BV is the promotions
9. BetVictor
BetVictor offers a compelling welcome deal: Bet £10, Get £40 in free football bets. The site is renowned for excellent football and horse racing odds and boasts a highly-rated app and low minimum deposits. No bonus code is needed for OLBG users.
Great website, plenty of offers. But go careful, if you only take the offers, you'll be quickly gubbed.
OLBG Member - scrasey
Pros
Top rated site for Tennis betting
Consistently offers good horse racing odds
Rated best mobile experience in our deep analysis
Cons
Not one of the top bet builder products, according to our research
Not one of the best cash-out offerings
No weekly free bet club
10. Tote
Tote offers an enticing welcome bonus of Bet £10; get £40 in free bets and spins using promo code B10G40. As the UK's leading pool betting site since 1928, it features innovative options like Tote Ten to Follow and the Placepot app.
So easy to sign up and create an account and that helps and they allow for easy deposit and withdrawal without much hassle along with good cusotmer care
OLBG Member - SharpShooter
Pros
Seamless Website and App
Unique Betting Options
Extensive Live Streaming
Cons
Limited Promotions
Withdrawal Processing Time
The best bookie offer for you is subjective depending on the type of offer which you are looking for. We rate the bookmaker sign up offers on this page out of five ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - You can see the star ratings below each logo in the free bets list.
The offer rating is not the overall rating for the bookmaker, if you want to see bookie ratings by user reviews then head to our betting sites page. On this page the ratings are given by our in house editorial team.
🆕 New Free Bets Weekly Update - Monday 2nd December
By Steve Madgwick - Editor-In-Chief
Each week, I will update you with fresh information from the OLBG team on new free bet offers and the main sporting events of the coming week. Combining a free bet welcome offer with a sporting event you've been looking forward to can be a great way to try out a new betting site.
New Free Bets & Betting Offers this Week.
Our commercial manager Sam Darkens, speaks daily with our partners to find the best free bets and event-specific offers to bring to this section to set you up for the week with deals and events that might interest you.
Hot Betting Offers and Free Bets This Week!
Check the table for the best bookmakers for each sport and tips in the final column links - Have a great week, everyone
Day | Sport & Best Betting Site | Event & Tips |
---|---|---|
Monday 01:20 | 🏈 NFL | Bills v 49ers |
Monday 20:00 | ⚽ La Liga | Sevilla v Osasuna |
Tuesday 01:00 | 🏀 Basketball | Timberwolves v Lakers |
Tuesday 01:15 | 🏈 NFL | Broncos v Browns |
Tuesday 19:30 | ⚽ Premier League | Ipswich v Crystal Palace |
Wednesday till Sunday | 🎱 Snooker | Shoot-Out |
Thursday | 🏌️ Golf | Hero World Challenge |
Friday 01:15 | 🏈 NFL | Lions v Packers |
Friday 20:00 | ⚽ EFL Championship | Burnley v Middlesbrough |
Saturday 12:30 | ⚽ Premier League | Everton v Liverpool |
Saturday 13:00 | 🏇 Horse Racing | Sandown and Aintree |
Saturday 17:30 | ⚽ Premier League | Man Utd v Nottingham Forest |
Sunday 13:30 | 🏇 Horse Racing | Huntingdon and Kelso |
Sunday 14:00 | ⚽ Premier League | Fulham v Arsenal |
Where Can I Get Casino Free Bets
Casino free bets, more commonly referred to as casino offers or free spins, work similarly to bookmaker free bets.
The critical difference is that you will see very different restrictions and terms. So rather than placing a bet at specific odds to qualify for a free bet with a bookmaker, with a casino offer, you may have to turn over a certain amount with your bonus before withdrawing any winnings.
For your convenience, we have listed the top 5 here.
100% Welcome Bonus Up To £200 + 25 Wager-Free Spins
- Wagering req. 40x
- Value/free spin £0.10
- Offer amount £200
#ad. 18+, gambleaware.org, T&Cs Apply
Win up to 500 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash
- Wagering req. 65x
- Value/free spin £0.10
- Offer amount 500
#ad. 18+, gambleaware.org, T&Cs Apply
Exclusive Code Offer OLBG50 and get 50+ Free Spins on Fluffy Favourite
- Wagering req. 65x
- Value/free spin £0.10
- Offer amount 50
#ad. 18+, gambleaware.org, T&Cs Apply
100% Up to £100
- Wagering req. 40x
- Value/free spin £0.10
- Offer amount £100
#ad. 18+, gambleaware.org, T&Cs Apply
Deposit £10 and Get 100 Free Spins on Scudamore
- Wagering req. -
- Value/free spin -
- Offer amount 100
#ad. 18+, gambleaware.org, T&Cs Apply
Best Free Bets by Type of Offer
Let's take a closer look at the types of bookmaker offers and free bets you can expect to find when looking to open a new account online
- Free Bets Matched Deposit
- Cashback Welcome Offers
- First Bet Matched Offers
- Risk-Free Welcome Offers
- Free Betting Credits
- Enhanced Odds Sign-Up Offers & Price Boosts
- Profit Boosts
- Money Back Special Free Bets
With many different terms being used, understanding bookmaker sign-up offers can be difficult. Here is a guide to some of those terms and what they mean.
🎁 Matched Deposit Bonus
These are typically where your first deposit amount is used as the qualifying amount of the deposit bonus. Many people call these free bets matched deposits, but really, they are deposit bonuses, so you receive more funds in your account, which you can then use for betting, as opposed to receiving a free bet token.
For a 100% deposit bonus, for example, if you deposit £50, you may receive £50 in bonus funds. The percentage can vary, but it will typically be 50% or 100% of your first deposit.
Deposit Bonuses💰🎁
They're often based on your first deposit amount, not just free bets. Deposit £50, get £50 more!✨ Percentages can vary, typically 50% or 100%. But remember, turnover requirements can be high, so bet wisely!🎲🔍
Normally, turnover requirements are added to the terms of these offers, and these can be quite onerous. We have seen as high as 15x turnover requirements on deposit amounts and bonus amounts. So, on a £50 deposit, that could mean £1500 would have to be wagered before any funds can be withdrawn.
So read the terms and conditions of these bookmakers' offers thoroughly. You shouldn't change your betting patterns to obtain specific offers, so it may be that you do not want to claim the full maximum deposit bonus; to withdraw, it may mean you need to be more than you normally would want to.
That is not sensible or responsible gambling. For those who typically bet larger amounts, though, deposit matches can be a good way to gain extra funds for your betting bank. Examples of free bets matched deposits include
- 100% Deposit Match Up to £100
- Deposit £20 Get £20
- 100% Deposit Match up to £50
- 50% Deposit Match up to £50
- 25% Deposit Match up to £100
🎁 Cashback Welcome Offers
Cash Back Offers in Betting 💸🔄
Cash Back offers, another name for deposit bonuses, can seem enticing but be sure to read the fine print! While they may not provide immediate cash withdrawals, they can be advantageous when offered by betting exchanges or spread betting companies. Always know your T&Cs!🔍💡
Another name for deposit bonus offers is cash back, but the term may be misleading as it is unlikely you will receive any cash that can be immediately withdrawn with this form of offer.
However, sometimes, these can be excellent offers, for example, when a betting exchange or spread betting company offers such an incentive. With these offers, as ever, it is vital to understand the full terms and conditions. Examples of cash-back welcome offers are
- 10% Cashback on net losses for four weeks
- £300 Cashback on your first 28 days
- 50% Cashback on your first day
- 25% Cashback on your first week
- 10% Cashback on losses forever
🎁 First Bet Matched Offers
Matched Free Bets🎁🎯
Make the most of Matched Free Bets! Often the first bet placed, ensure you're up to speed with the welcome offer T&Cs.🔍 If the offer is bet £25 get £25, a £5 won't cut it! But an 'up to £25' deal could match your £5 bet with a £5 free bet. Keep an eye on the odds & sports prerequisites. 🎲💡
Matched free bets are typically on the first bet placed and are sometimes referred to as free bet matched stake offers. So, when you open a new betting account, know the terms and conditions of the welcome offer.
Your first bet is often the qualifying bet for the offer, so if for example the welcome offer is bet £25 get £25 free bet and you make your first bet £5, you would not qualify. Sometimes, though, the headline amount is the maximum, so the offer may be bet up to £25 and get your first bet matched up to £25.
In that example, a £5 bet may get a £5 free bet. However, you also need to look out for other qualifying terms. Your first bet must be at specific odds (say over 2/1) and/or on specific sports.
Matched free bets also explain multiples of free bets higher than the initial stake. Examples of matched free bets include
- Bet £10 get £10 Free Bets
- Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets
- Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets
- Bet £20 Get £10 in Free Bets
- Bet £25 Get £25 in Free Bets
🎁 Free Betting Credits
Another variation of deposit match offers. This is really just different terminology with different terms and conditions attached to the offer.
So rather than receive an amount of your deposit as a deposit bonus, you would be allocated betting credits or free bets.
- Up to £100 In Free Credits for New Customers
- £50 in Bet Credits
- Up to £100 in Bet Credits on Sign Up
- £25 in free bet credits
- £60 in bet credits welcome offer
🎁 Enhanced Odds Sign Up Offers & Price Boosts
These sign up offers have become really popular recently and bookies use them to encourage sign ups around large sporting events.
So rather than offer a free bet, they will offer larger odds on a popular bet to a certain stake. Sometimes these can be very good offers if the winnings are payable in cash and can be withdrawn.
Enhanced Odds & Price Boosts 📈🎯
Enhanced Odds & Price Boosts are rising in popularity among bookies, especially during big sporting events!🏆 Rather than a free bet, they offer inflated odds on popular bets, often with winnings paid as free bets. Ideal for low-stakes wagers, but always review the T&Cs.🔍
However it is more common to see the winnings paid in free bets. So for example a horse may be boosted from say 4/1 to win to 24/1, for a maximum bet of £1 with the extra winnings paid in free bets.
So if the selection wins you would receive your normal returns to a £1 stake but additionally £20 in free bet credits. These offers sound very attractive and can suit you if you want to make small stakes only.
- Double The Odds Any Sport
- 11/1 Arsenal or 15/1 Man Utd to Win
- 50/1 Tiger Roll
- Odds Boost 10/1 Man City
- 50/1 Tiger Woods to make the cut
🎁 Profit Boosts
Profit Boosts 📈💰
Profit Boosts, akin to enhanced odds, boost your winning's profit!🎉 This can be double the profit of your first bet or more. Not as common due to their complexity and non-specific nature, but they could prove a gamechanger, so keep an eye out! #BettingTips🔍💡
Similar to enhanced odds or price boosts but based on profit instead. So the offer could be double the profit of your first bet or first x bets up to a certain amount.
These aren't so common as they can be difficult for the customer to understand and they aren't normally specific to an event or outcome.
- 100% In Play Profit Boost
- 100% Profit boost on your first bet
- 200% profit boost any bet
- Get 100% boost on any in play bet today
- 300% profit boost if you bet on Man City to win today
🎁 Money Back Special Free Bets
Money Back Special Free Bets: A Closer Look🔍💰
Money Back Special Bets offer a free bet if a specific event occurs—bettor bets on a football match, certain player scores, get a free bet! However, it's just a free bet, not your cash back. So, win on that free bet to retrieve your initial stake. 🎲👍
These free bet offers are linked to something specific happening. Such as place a bet on a football match and get your money back as a free bet if a certain player scores.
Or bet on a horse in a certain race and get your money back as a free bet if that horse falls. Often these types of offers can be available to existing as well as new customers.
Be careful though as you dont get your money back! You are rewarded a free bet which is very different as you would then need to win on that free bet to try and get your original stake back.
- Money Back as a Free bet if Your Horse Falls
- Money Back as a Free bet if Kane Scores
- Money Back on all bets if it is a bore draw
- Money Back if the favourite wins the 2.30 at Cheltenham
- Money Back as a free bet if Man Utd win
No Deposit Free bets
Free bets without placing a deposit are extremely popular of course as these offer an opportunity to try out a bookmaker and to try to win some real money without the initial risk.
Because these are a very good offer they are expensive promotions for bookmakers to run and so are few and far between.
Some no-deposit free bet offers are limited for a short time or a certain number of free bets are made available.
No-deposit casino offers are more popular than no-deposit free bets. Visit our casino offers page to see the no-deposit offers available there.
How OLBG Rates Betting Sign Up Offers and Free Bets
The editorial process for each free bet review is detailed and thorough. Although the full review process for free bets is much quicker than competing bookmaker or casino reviews, it is nonetheless detailed to ensure that the offer is right for our readers. Here is the background to the process.
Full Review By An Experienced Content Writer
One of our experienced in-house writers will examine the offer in conjunction with our commercial manager, Sam Darkens, to ensure that the process for qualifying and claiming the incentive is not too complicated. The process then involves completing a complete guide to what's on offer and how to claim with simple instructions and consideration of the key terms and conditions.
These are some of the factors which our in-house team reviews for each betting site we list at OLBG
- Banking & Payment Options
- Ease of registration & account verification
- Mobile site & mobile app usability
- The breadth of the betting offer across sports or features
- Range of markets covered and minimum odds requirements
- Types of bets accepted
- Odds offered
- Wagering requirements, if present
- Maximum pay-out caps for free bets
OLBG Members & Regular Sports Bettors Carry Out Their Reviews
Once we have a full written review and a base rating from the panel, the OLBG members are encouraged to try out a new betting side and provide ratings and feedback.
At OLBG, we gather reviews and ratings for all UK licensed bookies free bets from regular sports bettors so that you can compare and understand which betting sign up offers may be best for you. You can read through the hundreds of bookmaker reviews and see what actual users say about the free bets they use.
Our members are asked to rate each out of 5. You will see that we have listed hundreds of reviews for UK Sportsbooks and that we add new offers all the time. The most popular site reviewed has over 1000 ratings and, at the time of writing, a score of 4.4/5. This is the average rating from all the user reviews.
If you go to the specific bookmaker page, for example, Bet365 Bookmaker Review, you will be able to read each of the individual reviews that make up this rating.
We publish all betting site reviews unedited as long as they do not contain any swearing, potentially libellous content or individual-specific dispute content. When users have individual and specific disputes with online bookmakers, they should discuss these directly with the bookie rather than creating a review. OLBG has always been happy to offer help and advice in dealing with such disputes
Regular Updates and Improvements
Free bets and betting sign-up offers can, and often do, change regularly and without notice. To this end, we review all offers daily and update the banners on this page, usually within hours. The banner on the individual review pages will also change simultaneously, but it can mean that some of the copies will not match. We endeavour to update the page within 24 hours of the offers changing.
You can be confident that his rigorous process is carried out with all free bet reviews.
Detailed Comparison
We have a superb database of all bookmaker free bets, which allows us to continually compare one offer against every other offer available on a daily basis. The free bets database also allows us to highlight the best betting offers today, which are highlighted in the new betting offers section on this page.
Altogether, this adds up to countless hours of research and analysis to ensure we bring you the most up-to-date information and, more importantly, save you from having to go through hundreds of offers and a similar time frame to find what you are looking for.
Why betting offers achieve a high rating at OLBG
We have reviewed all the reviews submitted to OLBG to understand why our members may rate a free bet offer highly. Here are some key reasons.
- Great odds
- Easy to use site/app/mobile site
- Easy qualification
- No wagering requirements
- Great coverage of events and markets.
- Don't restrict winning accounts.
Why betting offers are rated poorly at OLBG
These are some of the critical reasons OLBG members give low ratings.
- Confusing opening account offers
- Limited free bet use
- High wagering requirements
- Restrictive odds for free bet use
- Low max win cap on free bet profits
OLBG has an industry leading Trustpilot rating of 4.6 from over 800 reviews. You can read our OLBG reviews on Trustpilot here.
Who Created, Edited & Fact Checked The Content On This Page?
At OLBG, our sports betting section is powered by a team of dedicated experts who bring years of industry experience and specialized knowledge. Their collective efforts ensure we provide you with top-notch, informative, and user-friendly content. Let's dive into the various roles and discover each team member's invaluable contributions to this free bets section.
The Experts Behind OLBG Free Bets and Betting Offers Content:
Our team’s dedication and expertise ensure that OLBG remains a trusted source for sports betting information. Each member's meticulous work supports the overall quality and reliability that our users expect and appreciate. Explore our sports betting section and gain insights from the best in the industry.
Content Strategists:
These professionals are the architects behind our content strategy. They meticulously plan and structure our content to ensure it addresses the interests and needs of our audience. They stay ahead of industry trends and ensure our content remains fresh and relevant.
Writers:
Our skilled writers translate complex free bet sign up procedures into clear, informative guides. Their expertise allows them to present detailed analysis and insights in a way that both novice and experienced bettors can appreciate and understand.
Analysts:
Our analysts dive deep into our free bets comparison database. They provide the foundational research and data-driven insights our writers and strategists use to craft accurate and actionable content, helping users identify the best free bets that suit them.
Editors:
The editors play a crucial role in maintaining the quality of our content. They review articles for clarity, accuracy, and coherence, ensuring that each piece is polished and provides valuable information. Their keen eye for detail ensures that our content is reliable and engaging.
In addition to their long experience working within the sports betting industry, all our contributors are keen sports bettors, so they each have many years of experience signing up with multiple online betting sites.
Free Bet and Welcome Offer Deposit Methods
There are many ways to fund your online betting account for the first time, but some methods are often excluded from qualifying for a free bet offer. While this list is not exhaustive, it covers the most popular and trustworthy methods and highlights these to proceed with caution when looking at betting site offers.
The minimum deposit is often £5, but it can be much higher for some bookies. Also, be aware of the terms and conditions and the optimum first deposit amount for free bet qualification - An offer may be a 100% deposit match up to £100. Still, if your first deposit is just £5, then the chances are you will get only £5 in free bets instead of the £100 available.
Bookmakers will generally return any winnings to the same card or payment method used to deposit unless instructed otherwise, but not the free bet stake, so make sure you understand this to avoid wondering why your return is not what you were initially expecting.
Also, at any time, you will be asked to provide details to help the online bookmakers comply with money laundering regulations. Please understand that online bookmakers are not being difficult; they are simply following legal guidelines. This will be even more likely if you withdraw using a different payment method than you used to deposit.
Visa Debit Card
The most common deposit method for online betting sites is a debit card, which is a straight transfer from a UK bank account. These are the safest options for new customer betting offer registration as they are less frequently excluded in the terms and conditions. Bookmakers or gambling companies are no longer allowed to accept credit cards as a deposit method.
PayPal
Most UK bookies accept PayPal, the most popular e-wallet with sports bettors. Some people like to use it to keep betting transactions off their bank statements, while others find it a much faster way to deposit into and out of betting sites. However, using PayPal could exclude you from welcome offers with some bookies.
Apple Pay
Many of the larger online betting sites support Apple Pay, which is expected to be available on more sites soon. Deposit and withdrawal times will be the same as those for bank cards used through Apple Pay and often also are acceptable for offers.
Skrill
Skrill is an alternative to PayPal. Formerly known as Moneybookers, it has always been a popular payment method for online gamblers and is accepted at most sites. However, it may be excluded from welcome promotions.
PaySafeCard
These are prepaid cards which can be used to fund online betting accounts. Fees aren't charged for deposits, so these are a popular way to fund online accounts for those who don't use bank cards.
Click on the link in the above list to review the welcome offer reviews for each bookmaker. We will detail all the deposit methods available for each site.
👍 Responsible Gambling, Identification & Affordability Checks
In recent years, the regulations for bookmakers have tightened as the Gambling Commission has looked to increase the protection of the user. This is fantastic news for the industry and all who use online betting sites, but you need to be aware that you may have some small inconveniences when trying to open a new online betting site or if you want to place large bets with a bookmaker. ID verification is rigorous, and sometimes you may be asked to send off copies of documents for ID and address verification.
Also, if you are placing large bets and or making large deposits, then online betting sites have a responsibility to ensure that you can afford to do so. You may be asked for affordability checks, such as showing your pay slips, and you may be asked for proof of funds for money laundering checks. Don't take such requests personally; all licensed online bookies must follow these regulations, or they can face huge fines.
Here are some common tips for gambling responsibly online. For more information, take a look at our detailed responsible gambling guide.
✋ When The Fun Stops Stop 🛑
You will have seen this slogan used by online bookmakers frequently over recent years. It is trying to get across the serious point that if you aren't enjoying gambling, you should stop immediately. You can use a process of self-evaluation to help you to understand if you have a gambling problem. There is a great tool at Gamcare.
If you believe you have a problem then there is always someone to talk to at begambleaware. They can offer great advice, including helping you to self-exclude. There is a valuable service called Gamstop, which allows you to self-exclude from all betting companies signed up to the program for a period of your choice. All UK-licensed bookmakers listed on this site will be part of the GamStop programme. For this reason (and many others) you should never join betting sites not on GamStop.
🔚Set Limits and Use Bookmaker Tools
We strongly recommend that you record your gambling and set your limits. Only bet what you can afford to lose. Online betting sites have started to offer several tools to help you with this, including
- Deposit Limits
- Session Limits
- Account History
- Time Outs
Using playing time notifications to remind you how long you have been gambling and when to stop is a useful tool and so is setting a specific loss amount you are happy with in advance.
Free Bets Explained
A free bet is a promotional strategy by bookmakers to attract new users to their betting platform. It could be a fixed amount added to your first deposit or a percentage of the amount invested.
To make the most of these free bet offers, it's crucial to understand their terms and conditions, as they differ among bookmakers. Some might require a minimum deposit to activate the free bet or sign-up offer.
How Do Free Bets Work?
Perfect for new users, a free bet is either a fixed bonus or a % of your first deposit. They are often not quite as free as you might think and more of a bonus credit which is not cash, so remember to check T&Cs 📝 as they vary per bookmaker. 🎁
We try to explain the free bet and sign up bonus offers here for you as much as possible given the space but please click through to the online bookmakers via the links on this page and read their terms and conditions in full before signing up.
Many of the betting offers will require you to deposit money first and place a bet. This first bet or qualifying bet will often need to be placed at certain odds. For example this condition may read something like this
“the qualifying bet must have minimum odds of 4/5”
Often the first bet you place is the qualifying bet and the amount of that bet will be matched (up to a certain amount) with a free bet of the same amount.
There are many variations though from the more simple bet £10 get £10 free bet to Bet £10 get £20, Bet £10 get £30 in free bets or even bet £20 get £10.
Normally the main sign up offer for the bookmaker is available to use on all sports. But be careful to check as sometimes offers are for horse racing or football only.
Kickstart Your Betting Journey🚀💸
Often your first bet💰 acts as a qualifier, met with an equivalent free bet credit! From bet £10 get £10 or bet £10 get £20, to a deposit match up to 100%, the choices are many. Just remember, offers might be limited to certain values and sports 🏇⚽️ so check carefully!
Bonus Codes and Promo Codes Explained
Promotional codes, promo codes, bonus codes, offer codes! These all refer to a code which needs to be placed upon registration with a bookmaker in order to receive the bonus or offer available.
Often when you click through to a bookmaker site from a site such as OLBG, if any offer code is required it will be carried through and automatically added to your registration form.
If in the terms of the offer a code has been requested, double check that it has been entered when you register or you may not be eligible for the offer.
Promo codes for bookmaker free bets though are quite rare these days.
What is the Difference Between Free Bet Offers and Sign up Deposit Bonuses?
Sign up deposit bonuses are becoming more popular than free bets with UK betting sites now. Often the bookmaker will match the deposit you make up to a certain amount with bonus funds but what is the difference between that and a free bet?
In the world of betting promotions, it's crucial to understand the difference between a free bet and a deposit bonus. Free bets are prevalently offered by bookmakers to encourage both new and existing customers to bet with them. When using a free bet, note that the stake is not returned. If you place a £10 free bet with even odds (2.0), you'd receive £10 instead of £20, as the free bet stake is deducted.
Betting Bonuses Explained💰
Can't tell a Free Bet from a Deposit Bonus? 🤔 Free bets offer returns without the stake, meaning if you win a £10 bet on evens, you get £10, not £20. 😮 But with deposit bonuses, you keep the bonus as cash, once wagering requirements are met. 🏆
On the other hand, deposit bonuses operate differently. These allow you to retain the bonus value as cash, but usually come with wagering requirements to prevent immediate withdrawal. This means you have to place a specified number of bets before you can convert the bonus to withdrawable cash. For instance, if you get a £20 bonus with x3 wagering requirements, you'd need to place bets worth £60 before you can withdraw the bonus and any winnings made from it. Understanding these distinctions will crucially enhance your betting experience.
As ever, please really carefully check the terms and conditions of all free bet offers and make sure you are able and willing to comply with all of them before signing up to a bookmaker.
Summary and Conclusion
When looking for the best betting offers for you, the key areas to consider are
- ✅ OLBG experts analysis of best free bets overall and best by type which you are most interested in
- 💬 OLBG user reviews to see what regular bettors say about their experiences with welcome offers
- 💳 The payment methods you prefer and any attached free bet restrictions.
- 🔒 How Trustworthy, Reliable and Reputable the site you are interested in is.
The quick summary and conclusion from all our analysis is that these are the best free bets in each category.
Category | Betting Site | |
---|---|---|
Matched Deposit Bonus | 10Bet | 100% up to £50 welcome bonus |
Cashback Welcome Offers | Quinnbet | 50% Back up to £50 and 50 Free Spins |
First Bet Matched Offer | bet365 | Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free bets |
Free Betting Credits | BetMGM | Bet £10 get £60 in Free bets |
Enhanced sign-up offers and Price Boosts | Parimatch | Enhanced odds on EPL games |
Profit Boosts | AK Bets | Winnings Boost on First Bet up to £100 |
Money-Back Specials | BetGoodwin | 50% Back as a Free bet up to £25on First Day Losses |
No Deposit Free bets | None currently available | |
No Commission Exchange Offers | BetDaq | 0% Commission for ALL SPORT for 100 days |
Further FAQs Around Free Bets
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What is a Free Bet?
A free bet is a bet which is provided by a betting site for a customer to place and then benefit from the winnings. Free bets are commonly used as welcome offers to encourage new customers to register with a new betting site.
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How Many Free Bets Can I Claim?
As many as you like, however you will be restricted to one account per bookmaker and therefore one free bet sign up offer per site, but there is no limit to how many different bookmakers you can have accounts with.
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When is my free bet available?
Your free bet will normally be available straight away after making your initial deposit or qualifying bet if required.
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How do I claim my Free Bet?
Where your free bet token appears will vary by bookmaker. Sometimes you will be issued with a bonus code to use but often you will be able to apply your free bet in the bet slip when you place your next bet.
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What Can I Use My Free bet on?
The sport and event which you can use your free bet on will be detailed in the terms and conditions attached to your free bet offer. Check those terms carefully as there may be other conditions such as the odds and type of bet which you may place using your free bet.
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Can I withdraw my free bet winnings?
Winnings from your free bet can normally be withdrawn but not the free bet stake itself which is not normally returned with any winnings. However terms vary and sometimes your winnings from your free bet will need to be turned over (known as roll over requirements) several times before you can withdraw.
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How can I get free bets without deposit?
No deposit free bets for sports betting are rare. If we find any we will add the offers here. No deposit casino offers are more common, head to our casino offers page for a list of these.
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How do bonus bets make money
You will make money from your bonus bet by choosing a winning selection. Most free bets will require a qualifying bet to release your free bet. So really you need to make a profit from that initial qualifying stake and your free bet combined. For example, if you place a qualifying bet of £10 to receive a free bet of £10, you have risked £10 of your own money. You now need to return more than £10 from your two bets to make money. Remember the free bet stake is not normally returned.
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What is a risk free bet?
A welcome offer or loyalty incentive where you cannot lose money on a bet. These are a very popular but rare welcome offer. More likely you will find offers that give you a risk free bet after your qualifying bet. So for example you need to make a bet to then release a risk free bet (otherwise known as a free bet).