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Nowadays there are plenty of people who prefer online betting. Many punters before to place a prediction turning to a lot of sports betting forums on finding another opinion about a possible match. If you are smart, you have the chance to bet for free without pulling any money out of pocket, with help of free bets.
This article is a guide explaining the different types of free bets to avoid you some traps. For the list of current free bets offered by bookmakers, check out this article.
What means a free bet?
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A free bet is a basically a bonus bet that a bookie gives you on signup Before you receive this free bet, you must make your first deposit and bet. If your bet has been declared lost, bookmaker refund to you the amount lost.
Most often, the money received from the online betting agency are subjected to driving conditions, that they can not immediately withdraw from your account, just minutes after you received.
You have to be careful because it is the difference between free bet and bonus on your first deposit.
A normal bonus is actually a certain amount of extra money you get when you make your first deposit. This amount of money is equivalent to a certain percentage of the amount deposited, usually, it is 50% or 100% depending on the offer. Free bet means that if your first bet is lost you will get back part or all the amount wagered.
Some bookmakers offer risk-free bets (or money back): basically, you need to deposit and if your bet fails, the operator gives you the amount (or a part) of your stake. The main difference with free bets is that you need to fund your account to be eligible.
What type of offer is more attractive?
It is a difficult question and after all, take every gambler in part that type of promotion it seems more attractive. In any case, both have advantages and disadvantages. A free bet gives you the opportunity to place a large sum of money on a single ticket because you’re covered in case it is lost. But if it is won, then pick up a large sum of money from a single shot. The bad news is that only take bets bonus if you lose your first bet.
A normal bonus is awarded the first bet regardless of the result; you can not win a large sum of money in one fell swoop, but you have to provide more money to play sports betting. An experienced gambler will probably prefer such an offer because he does anyway turnover naturally.
Like any offer, free bets have good and bad sides.
The positive sides as follows:
- Any new player can request a free bet or a 100% bonus on your first deposit
- Compared with offline bookmakers basically, your money to double.
- If you’re an inspired player, bonus will run slightly
- If you are not familiar with online betting, this free bet comes to your aid. You can deposit a small amount, and use the bonus to get used to the types of bets offered.
The negatives of free bets:
- Free bets are offered only if your first bet was lost.
- You have to bet on certain minimum odds.
- If your first bet was lost, and you received a free bet, you must run the amount available in the account minimum several times.
- Some bookmakers request that the ticket is at least 3 -5 events.
At the moment, few bookmakers offer free bets.
Explanation for 4 bookmakers
Ladbrokes
You can get £20 free sports match bets when you place your first bet with Ladbrokes.
To receive this bonus, you must meet several requirements, which you can consider as negative sides.
The amount offered by Ladbrokes can be considered as a bonus only if your bet has been declared lost. Do not give this bonus if your first bet was the winner.
You can not place a bet at odds of less than 1/2 or greater, to qualify for the free bet.
Another disadvantage is that deposition by Skrill, Neteller, Entropay and Paysafe (or Paysafecard) deposits or deposits in the shop will not qualify for this offer.
See our article about Ladbrokes promotions.
William Hill
After you opened an account on William Hill and make your first bet with a stake of minimum £10, you will receive £20 free bets (2 x £10 free bets.)
William Hill offers this free bets to new customers, no matter if your bet was won or lost. The only conditions are to place your first on a selection(s) with single/cumulative odds greater than 1/2 (1.5) and to run your deposit/bonus few times before to ask a withdrawal. This can be annoying because constantly have to look at events with a minimum odd 1/2 or more.
See our article about William Hill promotions.
Unibet
For new customers, located in the United Kingdom, Unibet offers up to £40 Money Back as a bonus if their first bet loses, plus a £10 Casino Bonus. After you register and confirm your account, you must make a deposit and place your first bet.
Unibet has more favourable conditions than other bookmakers regarding this bonus. But after all, some conditions are to be respected, and that your bet amount to be refunded in the case that your prediction was declared lost.
The first condition is that you to place a sports bet of minimum £10 with odds 2/5 (1.40) or greater. If your selection was declared lost, you will receive your stake back, in maximum 24 hours. In most cases, this will be made in few minutes.
For example, you make your first bet with a strike £10. If you bet was declared lost, you will receive back, like a bonus, £10. But you must place bets for minimum 3 times. £10 first bet plus £10 mean £20. Minimum odds 2/5 ( 1.40 ) or greater.
See our article about Unibet promotions.
Betfred
If you do not have an account at Betfred, You can register now at them and you will get £60 free bets. This bonus is available for new customers located in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.
Your first bet must be a minimum stake £10 and single/cumulative odds of Evens (2.0) or greater. If your strike will be lower, or you do not respect the single/cumulative odds, your bet will be returned if will be declared lost. You cannot make your deposit using Skrill, Ukash, Paysafe and Neteller
Free bets are very good for new customers to try a betting website, but many will not bring immediate profits. Even if they are free, many of these things have a hidden price.
See our article about Betfred promotions.
The free bet specialist in the UK is also Paddy Power
Last advice: look at betting apps, as player value is higher on mobile than on desktop, bookmakers offer bigger welcome bonuses and free bets.
last update : April 2024
