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If you are thinking of joining a new sports betting site, then it will be beneficial to learn all about free bets for new customers. These types of deals will give you free betting credits for just signing up.
But there are important terms and conditions to be aware of, such as wagering requirements, time limits, qualifying odds, and much more. I will walk you through exactly what it takes to not only activate these bonuses but also what types of terms you should look out for.
Requirements (WR): | – |
Min. Deposit: | – |
Cashable: | Yes |
Requirements (WR): | – |
Min. Deposit: | – |
Cashable: | Yes |
Requirements (WR): | – |
Min. Deposit: | – |
Cashable: | Yes |
If you are new to online sports betting, free bets are easy to understand. They are simply free credits that are added to your account so you can place bets for free without staking your own cash. But how do they work exactly? Let’s delve a bit deeper.
When you register a new account at your chosen sportsbook, many bookmakers will offer free bets as a welcome bonus. This will be the first bonus you can claim, which is a nice way to get started.
You will have the opportunity to use your free bet credit to boost your potential winnings, as you can also add some of your own funds into the mix. If you were planning to make a deposit and place a wager, then free bet credit will only boost your potential wager.
Most sports betting sites offer a variety of bonuses and promotions. Free bets themselves are available in a diverse range, so let’s explore some of these below.
Bonus | How it works |
---|---|
Match deposit bonus | The bookmaker will match your initial deposit, up to a specified amount |
Match bet | Place a bet and the bookmaker will provide you with free bet credits up to the same value |
Bet insurance | The bookmaker will refund you your full stake amount should your bet lose, typically capped at a certain amount |
When you register a new account at a sports betting site, a popular bonus you will come across is match deposit offers. These promotions work by you making a deposit up to a certain amount and the bookmaker will match this by giving you the same amount in free bet credits.
Let’s take a look at an example match deposit bonus:
A bookmaker offers a 100% match deposit bonus up to $250. To be eligible for this bonus, you need to make a deposit of at least $10. If you deposit $10, you will be given another $10 on top – instantly doubling your betting funds.
But if you decided to deposit the full $250, you would receive another $250. This will total your bankroll to $500, giving you double the amount to wager with.
It’s important to note here that the deposit requirement will vary from site to site. Minimum deposit betting sites may accept as little as $5, whilst other betting sites may require $20, for instance.
Now that you have learned about match deposit bonuses, this one will be easy as match bet offers work in a very similar way. For this promotion, you will be required to place a qualifying bet. The exact terms will vary but it may require specific odds, minimum bet amount, and/or certain sports or events.
For example, let’s say you are required to wager $20 on odds of 1.50 or more to receive your match bet. This means that you must place a bet of at least $20 on 1.50 odds to qualify for your free bet amount.
If you bet $20 and qualify for your free bet bonus, you will be given another $20 bet to use. Just like the match deposit bonus, this doubles your chances.
The best sports betting sites offer bet insurance deals to both new and existing customers. These types of deals essentially refund your stake if you lose your bet. Just like all the other bonuses, these offers have terms and conditions to workaround. For instance, you may have to place a bet on certain sports, leagues, or events, and wager a minimum amount to qualify.
For example, a bookmaker may offer a bet insurance deal on all bets on football, up to $50. To qualify, you must deposit and bet $5 on your chosen football game. If your bet loses, the bookmaker will give you the full amount back.
But if you placed a bet of $55 on a football, you wouldn’t be eligible for this bonus, as you have exceeded the maximum stake amount.
Let’s be honest here, most things aren’t usually completely free, and this is certainly the case here. While the bet credit is free in the sense that you will be given a specified amount to use at the courtesy of the bookmaker, there is usually a deposit required to activate the deal.
This means that if you want to access your free bet, you will need to make a qualifying deposit first. This is fairly standard among bookmakers, so this shouldn’t deter you from claiming this wonderful deal. Providing that you were already planning to make a deposit, it shouldn’t make too much of a difference.
Plus, while you can add your free bet to your own funds to increase your wager, this isn’t required. Nothing is stopping you from keeping your deposit for your next betting session.
Now that you know how free bets work, let’s take a closer look at the terms and conditions of these types of offers. The terms will vary from site to site, for example the highest payout betting sites will allow you to withdraw higher amounts of winnings, compared to others.
Let’s explore some of terms that you need to be familiar with:
Most free bets will come with something called ‘wagering requirements’. This will be outlined within the T&Cs of the free bet offer and it refers to the number of times you must wager the bonus before you can request a withdrawal of your winnings.
For example, if a free bet bonus has a 5x wagering requirement, this means you will need to wager it at least 5 times before you can get a payout.
As I have highlighted above, some free bet offers will come with a qualifying odd requirement. This means that in order to get your bonus, you must place a bet on specific odds. If you don’t do this, your bet will still go ahead but you won’t qualify for the bonus.
Most bonuses will come with a specified time limit, which gives you a certain number of days or hours to use your bonus. For example, if a free bet deal comes with a 7 day time limit, this means you have 7 days from the date you activated your bonus to use it. If you don’t do this, then your free bet bonus will be forfeited and removed from your account.
Some free bet bonuses may be limited to which sports you can use them on. For instance, a bookmaker may make it applicable to only one specific sport, such as football for example. Or the bookmaker may state that you can use it on any sport other than horse racing, golf, and boxing, for example.
Now that you know a lot more about free bets for new customers and how they work, let’s take a closer look at how you can activate these types of bonuses. If you already have an account, you can also use this as a rough guide for free bets for existing customers too.
Search for the best betting site that suits your preferences by following any of the links or banners on this page. Make sure to pay attention to the sports betting markets, bonuses such as free bets and betting vouchers, secure payment methods, and great customer support.
Head to the website or download the app to create your new account. Click ‘Register’ or ‘Join Now’ to complete the registration form. You will need to provide a few basic details such as your full name, address, and email.
Navigate to the promotions page to find the details about the free bets for new customers. Check the T&Cs to make sure you know what to expect from the bonus and everything you need to do including how to make your winnings withdrawable.
Claim your bonus, paying attention to the minimum deposit requirements.
If required, head to the cashier section to make your qualifying deposit. Select your preferred payment method, enter your deposit amount, and confirm the transaction. Once this is done, your free bet will be added to your account.
That’s it! Now visit the sports betting section to place a wager on your favorite sport or event.
Free bets are often given out to new customers in the form of a welcome bonus. They provide you with free betting credit that you can use however you wish, providing that you meet any restrictions or requirements. While they do come with some requirements, overall they are fairly flexible and perfect for newcomers.
Free bets are simply betting credits that are given to new players after creating a new account. They will come in a variety of different forms such as match deposit bonuses, match bet offers, and bet insurance.
The qualifying sports will vary from site to site and bonus to bonus, so it’s worth checking the T&Cs for the specific bonus you want to claim. Generally, these types of deals aren’t too restrictive.
Possibly, but not always. Whether or not you need to make a deposit first is down to the terms of the bookmaker, so it’s best to clarify this with the bookmaker directly.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.