Betting offers are often advertised in advance of big events in the sporting calendar, especially those that are popular with bettors. You can take advantage of sign-up offers by checking our the latest Cheltenham free bets and Royal Ascot free bets. With a free bet, you are betting without any of your real cash involved. When placing a free bet, the winnings you receive in return will not include the free bet amount. Instead, you’ll only receive the amount of the winnings due from the bet placed.
Free bets cannot be withdrawn as cash. You can only withdraw any winnings generated from using the free bet (minus the free bet stake). Many bet betting offers casino bookmakers require you to deposit and place a qualifying bet. Some offers are “no-deposit free bets,” but these are less common. Usually yes, but some offers have restrictions.
Always check the terms, as certain free bets may limit you to specific sports, markets, or minimum odds. If your free bet wins, you’ll receive the profit from the bet, but not the free bet stake itself. For example, a £10 free bet at odds of 5/1 would see a return of £50, not £60. Many UK free bet offers are restricted to UK & Ireland residents due to licensing rules. Oddschecker is an independent comparison and affiliate platform.
We partner with bookmakers to list odds and offers but are not owned by a bookmaker. Yes—if you use licensed and reputable bookmakers. Always make sure the site is regulated by the relevant gambling authority (e.g., UK Gambling Commission). Free bets almost always cannot be cashed out. Cash-out features apply only to bets placed with real money. Your free bets credit is added either upon your first qualifying deposit, usually £10, but some free bets are awarded as a deposit match and these usually have minimum and maximum qualifying amounts. Sign-up offers, also known as sign-up bonuses and new customer betting offers, are exclusively for users who do not have an existing account with that bookmaker. You can sign up for a new betting account using the links above and claim your welcome bonus in the process. These are a great way to get started with a bookmaker and can give you a helpful head start.
To take advantage of a sign-up offer, you will usually have to put down a small deposit (often £10) before you can access the sum bet new sports betting sites 2026 of free bets. If you already have a bookmaker account, you may still be eligible for existing customer offers. Remember, you can sign up for a betting account with multiple bookmakers, so be sure to check out the latest offers for bookmakers with whom you don’t already have an account.
| Feature | Free Bet | Bonus Funds |
|---|---|---|
| Stake Included in Winnings | No (usually) | Yes |
| Wagering Requirements | None (on winnings) | Often 1x to 10x |
| Withdrawal of Original | Not applicable | After wagering met |
| Flexibility | One-time use | Can be used in multiple bets |
| Typical Offer | Welcome offer | Reload or loyalty bonus |
Almost every bookmaker in the UK and Ireland will offer new customers some sort of welcome bonus or free bet offer. These offers act as an incentive to drive new users to their website and begin their betting journey. This gives new customers a great opportunity to get a head start so it’s always worth checking what offers are available for each leading bookmaker. Betting offers may be available for a limited time, with some being exclusive to certain sporting events such as major horse racing festivals or big football matches.
For the full range of bookmaker offers, you can view our individual bookmaker reviews to find the right offers for you. A betting bonus is a fixed amount that is added to your first deposit. Typically, your bookmaker will allow you to stake your first bet without risking all, or any, of your own money. It is advised that you use the credit balance in accordance with the terms of the bookmaker. You can sign up with multiple bookmakers and place your bets with each of them. Signing up with multiple betting sites means you can get the best odds and you’ll be able to benefit from various existing customer bonuses. Beforehand, you can take advantage of all the new customer offers available.
Funky Jackpot is a colourful and engaging platform offering both casino games and sports betting. Their welcome offer of bet £20, get £30 in free bets gives new users an exciting start with extra funds to explore their betting options. The best free bets are usually reserved for new customers only and are available for people registering with a bookmaker for the first time. However, there are plenty of promotions for existing customers, with bookies looking to increase retention and reward loyalty. Many of the biggest bookmakers in the UK have loyalty programs, betting clubs, or promo deals for existing players.
These types of offers are normally available to use during a specific time period or every time you deposit a minimum amount. For example, some bookmakers offer you free bets if you place your bets on the recommended accumulator or if there is a big betting event coming up. Bookmakers like Sky Bet, though, also offer free bets by playing their free games. During the football season, Sky Bet has a game called Match 5, where you reveal 5 teams throughout the week, and get rewarded for each win. These are the Free Bets up for grabs every single week.
2 Wins - 50p, 3 Wins £1, 4 Wins £5, 5 Wins - £20 The following Best Odds Guaranteed table was last updated in June 2026. You can calculate the potential earnings from any type of bet or check the results of bets that have already been placed with our bet calculator. You just need to fill out the following information: Indicate if there are any specific terms, for example, a complex bet like a lucky 15. Yes, free bets don’t cost you money directly, but they usually come with conditions, such as placing a qualifying bet first or meeting minimum odds requirements. You can’t withdraw a free bet stake itself. You can also read our bookmaker reviews for more information about each betting site and help you find the one that’s right for you. Follow these simple steps to sign up for a new betting account and claim your free bets: Once you have signed up with a bookmaker, you’ll still be able to benefit from any existing customer offers.
All reviews are written independently, and our goal is to provide you with honest insights that help you make informed decisions. If you’re on the hunt for a sports betting account, look no further. We have compiled the best free bets and betting offers from the biggest bookmakers in the UK and Ireland, so you can take advantage of the best welcome bonuses when you sign up. With our help and expertise, compare multiple offers from trusted operators and select the one that’s right for you. A free bet is a wager of a specified value for which the bookmaker offers to pay the stake.
Bookmakers online promote free bet offers to new customers who choose to sign up with them. It’s mainly seen as a welcome offer that bookmakers provide as an incentive to try betting with them. In the online betting space, there are a variety of different offers and promotions to consider. Most of the best betting offers come in the form of welcome bonuses, which provide free bets to new customers who sign up for an account. However, there are loyalty schemes and other retention offers for existing customers. 💰 Fixed amount is added to your free bet 💰 Fixed amount is added to your first deposit The process of using a free bet may vary depending on the bookmaker that provided the free bet. Here are some general step by step instructions you can follow: If you win the bet, the winnings usually get credited to your account balance. You may need to meet the wagering requirements before you withdraw the winnings. When choosing a free bet, there are a few things to look for to ensure that you get the best betting offer for your preferences: How much do you have to bet?
It means your winnings or bonus will be credited as free bet tokens instead of cash. For example, a promotion may say: “Bet £10, get £10 paid in free bets.” A cashback free bet refunds your losing qualifying bet in the form of a free bet token, not cash. At oddschecker, we believe in safe and responsible gambling. Gambling should be a form of entertainment and not a source of stress or financial difficulty. That’s why, under the guidance of the UK Gambling Commission, all licensed operators must provide a range of responsible gambling tools to help you stay in control.
If you ever feel that gambling is starting to affect you or someone you care about, free support is available. Charities and organisations like GamCare, BeGambleAware, and the National Gambling Helpline offer free, confidential advice and practical help when you need it. Founded back in 1999, oddschecker has over 25+ years of experience in the online gambling and casino industry. We're a well-established and independent platform, and we know what makes a great casino welcome bonus in the UK. We only recommend fully licensed, UK-regulated casinos and our listings are based on verified info, expert analysis and real feedback from users.
Featured on the BBC, Sky Sports and other major UK media Shortlisted for ‘UK & Ireland Affiliate of the Year’ at the EGR Europe Awards 2025 Furthermore, we provide the largest range of free bets offers in the UK, making oddschecker the best source of information when it comes to free bets. We provide honest reviews and outline all the important details to help you make informed decisions about claiming these free bets and signing up to a new bookmaker that is fully licensed and trusted. Written by Jamie from the oddschecker commercial content team Jamie is an affiliate content writer at oddschecker, with 3+ years of experience in the gambling industry reviewing licensed UK bookmakers and sports betting offers. All insights are written based on first-hand testing and in compliance bet betting sites uk football with UKGC guidelines. Our dedicated in-house commercial content team brings years of combined experience across the UK. Which bet is the offer applied to? Do you have to bet on a specific sport or event? Does the free bet apply to the type of bet you want to place? Are there minimum odds required for the free bet? Is the free bet available in your region? Does there need to be a specific outcome?
