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
When you're gettin' started with the bookmakers, your initial deposit might just set you up nicely with a deposit bonus. Some folks refer to these as matched free bets, but let's be clear, they’re actually bonuses. This means you get more money dropped into your account to have a punt with, rather than just a free bet token itself.
Take the 100% deposit bonus, for instance—imagine you’re throwin' in €50 of your hard-earned cash, and the bookie matches it with another €50 as a bonus. The craic is, the percentage of these bonuses can vary, mind, generally stickin' around 50% or 100% of the first sum you pop in.
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!🎲🔍
There's usually a turnover requirement tagged on, and they can be a right challenge, so they can. We’ve seen requirements as steep as 15 times the deposit and bonus combined. So, if you stick in a €50 deposit, then you’re looking at having to wager a whopping €1500 before you can sniff at withdrawing any of your winnings. It's like running a marathon with yer shoelaces tied together!
Andy Powell
Expert guide
Matched Deposit bonuses used to be the favoured welcome offer, but the demand for these along with the ease of turning the bonus into cash has seen them become less prevalent in recent times making them less viable for bookmakers to offer. Along with the addition of larger wagering requirements taking away much of the value, they have lower appeal now - Oh for the good old days!
It’s a wise person who reads the small print before diving in with these bookie offers. Make sure you’re eyeballing the terms and conditions proper. Don’t go bending your usual betting habits just to chase a particular bonus. It might actually make sense to hold off from claiming the full deposit bonus if it means having to bet more than you'd be comfortable with. It may mean you need to bet 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!🔍💡
Some folks like to refer to deposit bonus offers as 'cash back,' but don't be misled; it's not cash you can just take out of your account straight away. It's usually more complex than that, requiring a bit of a gamble to actually see the cash in hand. That being said, sometimes these offers can be crackin', especially when a betting exchange or spread betting outfit throws these incentives your way.
As always, though, make sure you’re getting your head around all the terms and conditions before diving in. Examples of these cash-back offers include the likes of...
- 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. 🎲💡
Right, when you’re new to the betting game and looking at matched free bets, keep an eye out for the terms sometimes dubbing them as free bet matched stake offers. Basically, your first wager is usually what qualifies you for the welcome offer. Let’s say the offer is bet €25 and get €25 free; if your first punt is only a fiver, well then, you’re missing out on the offer.
But often, that headline amount is just the ceiling. So it might be bet up to €25, and they'll match what you stake for the first bet. So if you toss down a fiver, you get a fiver back in free bets. But, don't forget to also mind the finer details, like what odds your first bet needs to be—sometimes it's something over 2/1—and it might need to be on certain sports. Always good to double-check before making your move!
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
Now, there’s another twist on those deposit match offers. It’s more a change in the terminology, but it comes with its own set of terms and conditions. Instead of getting a portion of your deposit as a bonus, you end up with betting credits or free bets in your kitty.
It’s not quite the same as having extra cash in your account; it’s more like tokens you can use to have a flutter. So, always have a good read of what you’re signing up for, as these offers might suit some more than others.
- 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
Ah, these sign-up offers have really taken off lately, especially around the big sporting events when every bookie and their dog is trying to lure you in. Instead of just dangling a free bet in front of you, they might spice things up with really big odds on a popular bet but only to a certain stake.
If the stars align, these can be cracking offers, especially when the winnings come in cold, hard cash that you can actually withdraw. Always worth having a gander at the terms too, to see if it’s as good as it sounds!
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.🔍
It’s true enough that more often than not, the winnings are doled out in the form of free bets. So picture this: a horse’s odds might be bumped from 4/1 to 24/1, but you’re capped at a €1 bet, with those extra winnings coming back to you as free bets. If your nag runs a stormer and wins, you’d pocket your standard returns off the quid, plus an extra €20 in free bet credits.
These offers can look mighty tempting and might just suit if you’re more into placing small bets without breaking the bank.
- 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🔍💡
Aye, these offers are akin to enhanced odds or price boosts, but instead they focus on the profit. The deal might be something like doubling the profit of your first wager or the first few bets, up to a set limit. You won't see these flying around too often, as they can be a bit tricky for punters to wrap their heads around and they're not usually tied to a specific event or result.
It’s all in the maths with these deals, so be sure you know what you’re getting into before you have a lash at them!
- 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 often hinge on specific events unfolding. For instance, you might place a bet on a football match and, if a certain player scores, you get your stake back as a free bet. Or you might back a horse, and if it tumbles in the race, you'll receive a free bet equivalent to your original stake. These kinds of offers can sometimes be open to both new and existing customers.
However, tread carefully, because you're not actually getting your cash back. Instead, you're handed a free bet, which means you'd need to win with that bet to have a chance at recouping your original stake.
It’s not a straight refund, and that’s an important distinction to keep in mind.
- Money Back as a Free bet if Your Horse Falls
- Money Back as a Free bet if Salah Scores
- Money Back on all bets if it is a bore draw
- Money Back if the favourite wins the 2.30 at Punchestown
- Money Back as a free bet if Liverpool 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.