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If you're a user of an online sportsbook today, you are sure to have come across a variety of free bet offers. These may be awarded when your bet loses in a certain way, when making a deposit to a site, or as a bonus for simply signing up to a site.
These free bets can come in all shapes and sizes, and to take full advantage, it is good to have a real understanding as to how each of the free bet offers work. In an industry where making a profit can be a tough ask, taking advantage of these free bets can be the difference between beating the sportsbook and losing.
Best Online Sportsbooks with Free Bet Offers
This article is divided into the following sections, detailing exactly how free bets work and explaining the different types of offers you'll find online:
- How a Free Bet Works: A breakdown of the mechanics of free bets.
- How to Claim Free Bet Offers: Detailing bonus codes and where to find the offers.
- Types of Free Bet Bonuses: A detailed analysis of risk-free bets, free bets, match bets, no deposit offers, and money back offers.
How do free bet bonuses work?
Free Bet offers are unusual in that they are advantageous for both the customer and the sportsbook.
- The customer is more than happy, as they have these free bets to play with, with the potential to earn free money on the back of them.
- The sportsbooks are happy as they provide a great way of attracting new customers to their site – and sportsbooks thrive on customers.
As you'll read below, free bets can come in a variety of ways. They might be based on making a deposit, or simply placing a bet. Generally, the free bet award will be minus your stake. For example, if you were to place a $100 free bet wager at odds of +200 and it won, you'd be awarded $200, but not receive the stake back as well. Occasionally, you might find a free bet where the stake is included – look out for these, as they can offer far more lucrative rewards.
It always pays to read the terms and conditions of any free bet offers. It's usual practice to only offer one per household (this is to stop the one gambler in the family opening multiple accounts for every other relative who lives at the same address). Age restrictions will be in place too.
How to claim a free bet no-deposit offer
The way you'll claim a free bet will change from site to site and be dependent on the promotion. For example, if your free bet is on the back of an initial deposit bonus, the free bet might be allocated to your account immediately.
The same prompt reward might come your way if you've won a free bet on the back of a loss. Other times you might have to enter a bonus code to claim your free cash. It's always a good move to read through those terms and conditions first if you're not sure – there is nothing more annoying than losing out on a free bet because you didn't realize you had to enter an advertised bonus code.
Bonus codes will usually come from the site itself, although in certain circumstances, you might find a bonus code offered by a third-party company.
Any time you sign up to a new site (or even better, thinking of signing up to a new site), your first port of call should always be to the ‘Promotions' page. This is where you'll find all of the offers available, including the welcome package as well as any ongoing promotions and loyalty schemes.
Types of free bet bonuses
It wasn't so long ago that free bets were almost unheard of. In the early days of online gambling, customers were simply pleased that online sportsbooks were there. People couldn't take advantage of the offers because there were none. However, as competition within the industry has grown, sportsbooks have developed a number of ways of attracting new customers with free bet offers.
Here is a detailed rundown of all of the different types of free bets bonuses you can enjoy at an online sportsbook:
Risk-free bets
There is nothing more enjoyable than a risk-free bet. Like many of the offers listed below, these are usually reserved for new customers at a sportsbook. They will require you to make an initial deposit and then place that first wager. If the bet wins its business as usual and you've made a fine start with your new account. If the bet loses, the ‘risk free' part comes in.
At this point, the sportsbook will refund your stake in the form of a free bet. You're now free to place another bet. Effectively with this type of bonus offer you are freerolling with your first bet.
In most cases, the free bet award will not include your stake if it wins. Check the terms and conditions as there will usually be deadlines for both placing the initial bet and then placing the second bet (if the first one should lose). With generally shorter deadlines, aim to place short term wagers instead of heading to the futures markets.
A good example of a risk-free bet is the one offered by FanDuel Sportsbook, where they'll give you a free bet of up to $500. If your bet loses, it's like it never happened.
No deposit offers
No deposit offers are some of the most enjoyable promotions you'll find online. The idea behind them is that you can bet for free (and potentially make some cash!) and that you'll enjoy the site so much you'll stick around. On this basis, you'll usually find these offers at those sportsbooks that do offer a good service overall.
These no deposit offers are usually on the smaller side of the bonus amounts, maybe in the region of $10 or $20. Unfortunately, it's not quite as simple as placing the free bonus cash as a wager and withdrawing the winnings. You'll usually find a play-through requirement with these offers. If you take a $20 no deposit offer with a 15x playthrough requirement, you'll have to wager a total of $300 to make the cash yours.
At DraftKings Sportsbook you can enjoy a free $25 no deposit bonus – perfect if you want to ‘try before you buy' and give your account an instant boost.
Matched bet bonuses
Another good bonus variant is the matched bet bonus. Having made your first deposit and placed that first bet, the sportsbook will give you a free bet up to the same amount. This is similar to the risk-free bet in that if your initial bet loses, you'll have another chance with the free bet. However, this has a distinct advantage, in that if the initial bet wins, you'll still gain the free bet.
Very similar (again) to the matched bet bonus is the matched deposit bonus. This time the size of the free matched bet is based on the size of your initial deposit (as opposed to the size of the first bet).
In both of the above cases, you might find more stringent playthrough requirements due to the greater generosity of the offer. Stinkin rich slot app.
William Hill New Jersey operates a scheme along these lines, where once you've deposited and placed bets up to the value of $50 or more, they'll give you a free $50 to play with.
Money-back free bets
One of the most interesting developments in bonuses and promotions is the introduction of money back bets if a wager loses in a certain way. Here's some good examples of these free bet offers:
- Back a baseball team and they lose in extra innings.
- Bet on a basketball team and they lose in overtime.
- If a bet on a soccer team fails due to a goal being scored after 80 minutes.
- Place a soccer wager on a selected market and have the game finish without a goal.
In all of these cases, your free bet award will be without the initial stake, so you'll only receive the winning portion should your free bet win.
At some sportsbooks, like FanDuel, you'll also find insurance bets which work in a similar way. These promotions work with parlays with a minimum number of selections. If one leg of the parlay lets you down, you'll receive your initial stake back as a free bet.
Many of the above offers (including the overtime in basketball, the extra innings in baseball and the goal scored after the 80th minute in soccer) are available at BetStars New Jersey.
Other free bet offers
Very similar (again) to the matched bet bonus is the matched deposit bonus. This time the size of the free matched bet is based on the size of your initial deposit (as opposed to the size of the first bet).
In both of the above cases, you might find more stringent playthrough requirements due to the greater generosity of the offer. Stinkin rich slot app.
William Hill New Jersey operates a scheme along these lines, where once you've deposited and placed bets up to the value of $50 or more, they'll give you a free $50 to play with.
Money-back free bets
One of the most interesting developments in bonuses and promotions is the introduction of money back bets if a wager loses in a certain way. Here's some good examples of these free bet offers:
- Back a baseball team and they lose in extra innings.
- Bet on a basketball team and they lose in overtime.
- If a bet on a soccer team fails due to a goal being scored after 80 minutes.
- Place a soccer wager on a selected market and have the game finish without a goal.
In all of these cases, your free bet award will be without the initial stake, so you'll only receive the winning portion should your free bet win.
At some sportsbooks, like FanDuel, you'll also find insurance bets which work in a similar way. These promotions work with parlays with a minimum number of selections. If one leg of the parlay lets you down, you'll receive your initial stake back as a free bet.
Many of the above offers (including the overtime in basketball, the extra innings in baseball and the goal scored after the 80th minute in soccer) are available at BetStars New Jersey.
Other free bet offers
As well as the popular methods employed above, you might also find many other ways of enjoying free bets.
Particular promotions might state that if you wager a certain amount on a given sport during a set time period, you'll be awarded an additional free bet.
For example, at BetStars Sportsbook if you bet $25 within any given Monday and Sunday, you'll be awarded a free bet of $5. Another good example is at William Hill, where they'll refund you 20% of your losses as a free bet on any 4-team losing parlays in baseball. MGM runs a similar promotion, offering you 10% back on any losses during the NBA playoffs.
Loyalty schemes are a good way to enjoy free betting too. Many online sportsbooks offer reward programs, where you'll earn points every time you place a bet. You'll be able to turn these points into cash or free bet credits. These loyalty schemes are usually linked into VIP clubs too, which can lead to further benefits – the quicker you earn these points, the larger range of additional benefits will come your way. Infinity casino slots.
Advantages of free bets offers
Obviously, any time you receive a free bet, it will feel like a bonus. However, when you look at it from a numbers point of view, these free bets can make a real difference.
Every time a sportsbook offers odds on an event, they have their own ‘juice' incorporated into the odds. For example, in a two-way market, you'll usually find odds of -110 for each side of the market. This effectively means that in a 50/50 bet, you'll get slightly less than double your money back – this is where the sportsbook takes their cut (this is a necessary evil, as without that cut, sportsbooks wouldn't exist and none of us would be able to place a wager).
If you incorporate these free bets effectively into your betting strategy, instead of the sportsbooks having the edge, you can turn it around and have the edge yourself. Many of the offers detailed above can effectively double your initial deposit or bet, turning those odds hugely in your favor.
These free bet offers usually come when opening a new account, so can add to the feel-good factor with that account and give you added confidence in your selections too. Knowing, for example, that you have a risk-free bet first up with a new account, you have that element of freedom. If the bet wins, you're off to flying start at the new sportsbook – and if it loses you've got a second bite of the cherry. Unicorn slot machine free online.
Disadvantages of free bets?
It seems strange to talk about disadvantages when it comes to free bets. However, at times you have to be a little careful, especially when around lesser well-known sportsbooks.
For example, you might find a free bet offer where there is a huge playthrough requirement. This could effectively mean that you'll be tied to placing an impossibly large number of bets (sometimes within a short time scale) to clear the free bet funds. In these instances, the sportsbooks will have more than got their money back through the juice gained by placing all of these additional bets.
Again, always check the terms and conditions when signing up to a new site. A good piece of advice is to stick with the regulated and state-sanctioned sportsbooks. These perfectly legal sportsbooks want to keep their customers happy, so their offers and promotions are geared to give the good sports bettor an increased chance of success.
Rules and regulations with no deposit bonuses
Whenever there is a free bet offer, you'll usually find a series of rules and regulations around the free bet offer. It's always handy to know exactly what these are, so head into those terms and conditions again to find out exactly what you need to do – just to ensure you don't fall foul and lose out. Here are some common rules around free bets:
- The free bets must be placed at a minimum odds level. This will usually be odds of around -200 (or 1.5 in decimal).
- There will be a time limit. Usually, you'll have a longer time limit to place any qualifying bets, with a short time limit (of possibly just seven days) to place the free bet.
- Free bets usually need to be placed as a straight wager. Parlays might be allowable too, but bets such as round robins (where you can hedge your bets a little) are usually not allowed.
- Free bet offers are usually limited to one per household – so even if you are genuinely opening a new account, the sportsbook might deny the promotion if a family member has already taken it up.
- Many sites will require location verification, ensuring you are indeed betting from within the state/country you say you are betting in. This can be done through using the appropriate settings on your mobile device, or location software added to your desktop/laptop. Ensure you're the appropriate age too!
Free bets overview and advice
With so many sportsbooks bombarding you with free bets and other promotions, it can pay dividends to spend a little bit of time choosing the right one. Head to their promotions page and check out exactly what each site offers. You might want to take advantage of a large risk-free bet or be more drawn to that impressive matched bet bonus. Check out what offers are available on your favorite sports too – there's no point in joining a site that is geared towards offering NFL promotions, if you're going to be baseball betting throughout the year (and vice versa).
Choose the right free bet offers and your sportsbook account could enjoy a nice, healthy boost.
How Sportsbook Bonuses Work
Legal online sportsbooks know that once they sign up a new bettor, they will likely have their business for a while. This is combined with a strong wish to show those who have not bet online for a long time what today's sportsbooks can offer. They figure once you try live betting, see their apps and check out the huge amount of sports and lines on offer, you'll stick around!
Free bets are loss-leaders to get you in the door. There are several different types to look out for.
- No Deposit Bonuses: Typically, a small bet (think $10 to $25) just for registering.
- Risk Free Bets: Here you'll bet with your own money, if your selection loses, the sportsbook will refund your stake in the form of a new bet.
- Matched Bet Offers: Sportsbooks will offer a free bet based on the amount you initially bet at their site.
- Free Bets: This type of free bet gives you a specific amount of bonus betting based on reaching milestones. For example, wager $500 and get $100 in free bets.
Once you are a regular customer of a book, they will offer even more incentives. This can include loyalty (points based) schemes, special lines or risk-free wagers or promotions – which can be regular or one-off. There are also offers which return your stake on parlay bets where just one of your selections loses.
Who Can Take Advantage of Sportsbook Bonuses?
At the time of writing New Jersey, Indiana, West Virginia and PA has online sportsbooks. Each state has its own regulations surrounding online sports betting. To be able to take advantage of their offers, you need to be physically inside the state borders. While you can't bet from outside these states, there is no requirement to be a permanent resident.
You'll also need to be over 21 (Id will be requested). Sportsbook offers are restricted to one per household, device and person.
How to Claim Your Free Betting Offers?
Depending on the sportsbook, you'll either receive your free bet automatically on registration, or use a bonus code to claim the offer. You will find information on all the free bet bonus codes here at OnlineGamblingSites.com. Head to the page that covers betting in your state for the full list.
Basic instinct free. Registering for an account at a regulated book is very easy. You'll supply your e-mail address, plus some personal information like name, address and date of birth. Following an e-mail approval, your account will be created – and your bonus money will follow. You will be asked to supply backup documents as part of the ‘Know Your Customer' responsibilities of these sites. If you make a deposit to claim your free bets, this will include backup documents for your deposit method too.
Sportsbook Bonuses & Free Bet Offers Explained
As you will see from the detailed information below, there are plenty of specific terms and rules for the different free bet bonuses. These often have a minimum odds requirement, with -200 the benchmark. This stops people taking advantage of the offers on huge favorites.
With all the examples below, I strongly recommend that you read the terms and conditions before you place your first wager.
1. 'No-Deposit Sportsbook Bonuses'
This is the single most popular form of sportsbook bonus for obvious reasons. You get to bet real money for free – and in many cases you keep all of your winnings. These deals range from $10 through to a maximum of about $50. They work by giving you a single bet which needs to be at odds of -200 or better. If your selection wins, then you get the profit from this, though not the stake part.
For example, if you bet $20 of your own money on a money line of 110, then you'd get $22 in profit + your $20 returned = $42 back. That same bet with free money will only see the $22 land in your account.
An important factor with 'no deposit bonus' offers is time. These are often very short duration (though this can vary). If your offer only lasts for 7 days, then you can't use it for futures bets. The offer would have expired by the time the wager is settled. Some books may also restrict the type of bet you can make. Examples include no parlays or only popular lines on major leagues.
Example of a No-Deposit Bonus in Action: Unibet Accepted in PA, NJ & IN
Unibet Sportsbook now has a live sportsbook, and an online site using the popular European brand. You can access this via apps or a website, with the technology powered by Kindred Group – a respected global operator.
Unibet offers a $30 no-deposit bonus for all new sign-ups. Here are the steps:
- Use this link to register your account via Unibet
- You'll receive $30 free, which must be used for a bet within 7 days
- Odds must be greater than -200 to qualify
- Winnings from this bet will be credited, though the stake will not be returned
This is a simple bonus, with no additional wagering requirements. What I like best about this free bet is that you can still claim the 100% up to $600 risk free welcome bonus at any time.
Free Betting Sites with No Deposit Bonus Offers
The list below is a complete list of legal online sportsbooks offering no deposit offers. I've sorted the list by legal state. If you're not in one of the legal states, you can take advantage of either DraftKings or FanDuel DFS offers.
Rank | Sportsbook & Casino | No Deposit Bonus | Get Your Bonus |
---|---|---|---|
1. | DraftKings Sportsbook | $25 | Get Bonus! |
2. | Unibet Sportsbook | $30 | Get Bonus! |
3. | FoxBet Sportsbook | No | Get Bonus! |
4. | Golden Nugget Sportsbook | No | Get Bonus! |
5. | BetMGM Sportsbook | No | Get Bonus! |
2. 'Risk-Free Bets'
You will normally need to make a deposit to take advantage of a risk free bet bonus. The idea is simple. You make a bet and get your stake back if it loses. If you win, then there are no further actions required – your bankroll is already off to a great start.
If your first bet loses, then your stake is returned in the form of a new bet. Since this can't be withdrawn, these offers are not entirely risk-free. Having said that, you can always bet the bonus money on a strong favorite (as long as the odds are better than -200). You will also need to bet this bonus money all at once, splitting it into several smaller bets is not normally permitted.
While these are generous bonuses and removing much of the risk gives new bettors a big boost, there are drawbacks. To get the best from these, your first bet often needs to be big. For example, if your regular ‘fun' bets are in the $20 range, then betting $200 in one go might be outside of your comfort zone. Once again, time limits will vary between the sportsbooks.
Online Betting Sites with Risk Free Bets
Rank | Sportsbook & Casino | Legal States | Risk Free Bet | Get Your Bonus |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Unibet Sportsbook | NJ, PA, IN | Up To $600 Risk Free Bet | Get Bonus! |
2. | DraftKings Sportsbook | PA, NJ, IN, WV, IA, CO, NH, IL | Risk Free First Bet Up To $500 | Get Bonus! |
3. | Borgata Sportsbook | NJ | $100 In Free Bets When You Bet $20 | Get Bonus! |
4. | BetMGM Sportsbook | NJ, IN, WV, CO | No | Get Bonus! |
5. | Golden Nugget Sportsbook | NJ | $100 Risk Free Bet | Get Bonus! |
6. | FanDuel | NJ, PA, IN, WV, IL, CO | $1,000 Risk Free Bet | Get Bonus! |
7. | William Hill Sportsbook | IL | $300 Risk Free Bet | Get Bonus! |
Example of a Risk-Free Bet Bonus: DraftKings Accepted in PA, NJ, IN, WV, IA, CO, NH, IL
DraftKings is the company behind the huge DFS brand – and one of the biggest fantasy sports operators. Their online sportsbook, brings innovative bets (cash out betting, in-play betting) and exciting promos.
New depositors get a risk free first bet up to $500 + $25 in 5 x $5 free bets. Here is how it works:
- Register your account and make a deposit
- Your first bet (straight bets and parlays only) up to $500 will be risk free
- If it loses, you are refunded your stake as a free bet
- You have 90 days to place your initial wager, then 7 days to use your free bet if needed
While $500 risk free is a generous offer, there is still some risk! The offer returns the stake for losing bets as a further free bet. This means you have to gamble it once again to get the benefit. While your risk could be reduced by betting on a strong favorite, minimum odds of -200 are needed – limiting this to an extent.
3. 'Matched Deposit Bonus'
Of all the free bet bonuses offered by online sportsbooks – the matched bonuses are the biggest. Some of these will reach 4 figures. Once again, the idea is simple, though the devil is in the details.
You make a deposit at a book, who will offer you free bets that match the amount your deposited. For example, you deposit $500 and get to play with $500 in free bets, as well as your own cash balance.
What I like about these offers is that you are not usually restricted to a single bet. You have a bonus money balance, which can be used for as many bets as you wish within a certain timeframe. The best sportsbook bonuses only require that you wager your bonus once. Look out for books that require more play-through than this. It will make clearing your bonus a lot more difficult.
Depending on the size of your matched bonus, time can play an important role. For example, if you start your account off-season for your favorite sports, then making enough bets within 30 days might be a stretch. Some books allow 60 or more days to clear this type of free bet offer.
You will usually be able to take advantage of a matched first deposit bonus after enjoying the no-deposit free bets.
Matched deposit offers are also available for loyal bettors at many sites. These are known as ‘reload bonuses', as they kick in when you reload your account.
Example of a Matched Deposit Bonus: SugarHouse Accepted in PA
No Deposit Free Bet Bookmakers
SugarHouse operates an online sportsbook in both PA and NJ. They use an in-house platform by Rush Street interactive.
No Deposit Sports Betting Bonus
SugarHouse offer an ‘old school' matched deposit bonus up to $250. Free slots win money. The idea is that your first deposit gets matched at 100% with free bets. You then need to wager this bonus money in order to ‘clear' it into your real money account. Here is how the offer works:
- Visit Sugarhouse Sportsbook here and use bonus code PLAY250
- SugarHouse Sportsbook will match your deposit at 100%, up to $250 max
- You need to wager this bonus money 1x to clear it into your cash account
- You need to activate and wager your bonus with 30 days of your deposit
Many books have minimum odds, or much shorter durations – making this SugarHouse free bet offer both generous and simple. This book combines sports and casino into a single platform – meaning you'll get to take advantage of promos from both sides.
4. 'Free Bets Based on Wagering'
The final common way in which regulated sportsbooks offer bettors bonuses is to give you free bets as you reach milestones. For example, you make a deposit, wager as normal, then get free bets each time you hit $100 in wagering.
A big advantage here is that you can bet in smaller units. There is no need to have a single huge bet to take full advantage of an offer. If that offer is for $20 in free bets every time you wager $200, then you can make 10x $20 bets to get there (or any other sizing).
Free bets are different to free cash. This bonus does mean you'll have to wager it at least once before it can be withdrawn. As a rule of thumb, this will need to be at -200 or better and in a single bet. Once again, make sure you have enough time based on your regular betting style to reach the target. With this type of bonus, you will still get a proportion of the bonus if you don't make it in time!
Example of a Wagering Based Free Bet: FoxBet Accepted in PA, NJ & CO
While the welcome offer is a risk-free bet, free bets every week keep loyal patrons happy! While this free bet is an ongoing promo, many of the big international brands will use this type of promotion for new customers.
At FoxBet, the wagering-based free bet is super-simple. You bet $25 in any given week – and then receive a $5 free bet in your account. The usual rules apply, with this free bet lasting 7 days before it expires. Bets can't be on huge favorites – with the -200 minimum still in place.
You'll find that FoxBet Sportsbook look after their regular bettors really well – this is one of many promotions they offer.
Take Full Advantage of Sportsbook Bonus Offers
With the roll-out of regulated sportsbooks underway, it is a great time to take advantage of those marketing offers and get your share of the free bet bonuses on offer.
Free Bets No Deposit Required
As you'll see above, there are 4 main types of free bet offer. These are completely free bets (no-deposit offers), matched deposit bonuses, risk free bets and wagering based free bets.
Free Online Betting Sites
Which one is best for you will depend on the size of your initial betting bankroll. Your appetite for risk also plays into this. For bettors that would like to see how the new online sportsbooks work, then the completely free bonuses are a great way to start. What I like about those is that you can always take advantage of the bigger deposit bonuses later if you like what you find.