Welcome to the UK's most comprehensive roundup of free bets and betting offers. Whether you're a first-time bettor looking for your initial free bet or an experienced punter seeking the best value, this guide covers everything you need to know about claiming and using betting bonuses in 2025.
UK betting offers: Free bets and sign-up offers in 2025 overview

£30 in free bets
Bet credits non-withdrawable
Valid for 30 days
For New Customers. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&C apply. See full T&C

18+. Bet £10 on any Bet Builder Min Odds 3/1 (4.00). Min 3 Selections. Free Bets will be split into 2 x £10 Free Bets to be used on any Bet Builder. T&C Apply. GambleAware.org

18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
New bettors; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+
18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet min £5 (max £40) on Sports (odds 1/1+) within 3 days of registration. No cash out. Get your initial stake in Sports Free Bets, which expire in 7 days. Scroll down for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #ad
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds. No cash out. Get £40 in Free Bets on selected events. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Debit card / Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
This applies to new UK/IE customers who sign up via approved partner sites with promo code bet20get10. Place a minimum £20 cash bet at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater and receive a £10 Free Bet 18+ GambleAware.org. Full T&Cs apply
New UK/IE customers only. Sign up and place your first sports bet at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater and if it loses, get a free bet equivalent to 50% of your first bet stake (min £10), to a maximum value of £25, plus 25 free spins on Gold Horsey Winner. Full T&Cs apply. 18+ | GambleAware.org
New UK customers only. Min £10 first deposit using Debit Card or Bank Transfer. Place a bet of £10 at min odds of 2.0 and get a £10 Football Bet Builder token upon settlement. A £10 Multiple token will be credited after 24 hours. A £5 Horse Racing Multiple token and a £5 Football Bet Builder token will be credited after 48 hours. Minimum 3 legs. Full T&Cs apply. 18+. BeGambleAware.org.
Today's Top Betting Offers – Our Picks
As the top names in the UK market battle it out to provide the best betting sign-up offers, we’ve compiled the big household betting names in the UK and examined the best betting sign-up offers. We’ve also rummaged through their terms and conditions and tried out each code to see how good it is in practice, some key features, and which ones we’d place in the top bracket.
Let's look at the best betting offers and understand why they are better than the rest:
- Bet365
- NetBet
- Ladbrokes
- Betano
- William Hill
- BetVictor
- Planet Sport
- Star Sports
- SBK
1. Bet365 offer: Get £30 in Free Bets
As arguably the UK’s favourite sports betting platform, bet365 has a brand name and marketing strategy that have caused great admiration within the industry. This has led to the CEO becoming one of the wealthiest women in the UK and the company expanding into Australia, Mexico, India, and Canada.
The current bet365 welcome offer looks impressive at first glance – a 300% bonus up to £30 in free bets. To claim this offer, use the Bet365 bonus code 365MOLE during registration. The key appeal is that you only need to deposit £10 to get the maximum £50 in bet credits. This is quite generous compared to many betting sites that require you to deposit the full bonus amount.
Bet365 offers some valuable features that make using your bet credits more interesting. The cash-out option gives you flexibility to secure profits or cut losses, and the Bet Builder lets you create custom bets. These features, combined with regular Bet Boosts and Best Odds Guaranteed on horse racing, can help you make the most of your bonus.
Pros
Cons
Best for: The Bet365 betting offer is best for regular bettors who understand how bet credits work. This is a solid offer, especially given the low deposit requirement for the maximum bonus. However, if you're hoping for withdrawable free cash, this isn't that kind of promotion. The key is to view the bet credits as an opportunity to place larger bets than your initial deposit would allow, rather than as free money.
2. Netbet offer: Double Your Betting Power
NetBet's Welcome Offer rewards you with £20 in Free Bets when you join and place your first £10 Bet Builder featuring three or more selections at odds of 3/1 (4.00) or higher. Your bonus arrives as two £10 Free Bets within 24 hours, and you'll have seven days to use them across any sport, including Bet Builder opportunities. Whether you prefer Premier League football, horse racing, or other sports, you can split your Free Bets between different markets to explore various betting strategies.
Pros
Cons
Best for: The NetBet welcome offer is structured around Bet Builders. Therefore, this bonus would be particularly appealing if you enjoy creating and placing this type of bet.
3. Ladbrokes offer: £30 in free bets
For a £5 deposit and subsequent bet, Ladbrokes will reward new customers with £30 in free bets. Of all the current welcome bonuses on offer, this promotion triggers with the smallest minimum deposit, instantly making it one of the best new customer betting offers.
This offer provides an excellent return for such a small outlay. Another of the free bets is for football and needs to be a bet builder. The remaining free bets can be placed in the following markets: Football, Horse Racing, Greyhound Racing, Tennis, Basketball, American Football, Boxing, Rugby Union, Rugby League, UFC, Cricket, Table Tennis, Darts, Golf, Snooker, Esports, Ice Hockey, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, gaelic football, Pool, or Specials.
Mastercard and Visa debit cards are the only eligible deposit methods to trigger this offer. All other payment methods do not qualify. Prepaid Cards, Moneybookers, Paypal, Paysafe, Neteller and Skrill are all excluded.
Ladbrokes also offers a number of betting promotions to existing customers, covering a range of sports. After registering and using up their welcome bonus, existing customers can enjoy regular betting promotions as well as new betting offers and bonuses.
Some are released daily and are usually focused on a specific upcoming tournament or event. These can be price boosts, best odds guaranteed, free bets, free-to-play games, bet-and-get offers, or prize draws.
Most of Ladbrokes regular promotions are built around horse racing, such as extra places paid, and football, like early payouts if your team goes two goal ahead. You will often find free bet promotions on horse racing and football, which the bookie will inform you about by messaging your account inbox.
As for features, Ladbrokes doesn’t skimp here either. Bet builders, cash out, and live streaming are all available on this platform.
Punters can enjoy games such as 1-2-Free, Instant Spins at no extra cost. The Instant Spins wheels can be played daily and can reward even more free spins and bonuses as well as Ladbucks, the bookie's own digital currency, which punters can then spend in the Ladbrokes arcade.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Value, as it only takes a minimum of £5 to unlock £30 in free bets. This is an excellent return for such a minor investment. It is also particularly good for fans of football and horse racing. The offer provides a total of six £5 free bets, four of which can be used on any specified sports, and two which are for football and the horses. However, this bonus is time sensitive, as the horse racing free bet needs to be placed on an event at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival in March.
4. Betano offer: Choose your own welcome bonus
When newcomers sign up for a new account, they can choose between three Betano welcome offers. Each bonus requires a £10 deposit to unlock. The first of these is the generic sports welcome offer, which is a pretty cool bet £10, get £10 promotion.
Opt-in and bet £10 on sports at odds of evens or greater within the first three days of signing up. Do that, and you will have earned yourself a £10 free bet, which will be issued after settlement of your opening wager.
If you are a football fan and want a little more bang for your buck, then you can always pick the football welcome offer instead. For the same price, players can get two £10 and one £5 free bet for set football markets, plus a £5 slots bonus on Big Bass Splash. This time, the qualifying bet needs to be at least £10 and placed on any football market with evens or better odds within three days of opening your account.
The final welcome on offer is one for the horse racing lovers out there. Once again, this is unlocked by an initial deposit and wager of at least £10 made within three days of creating your new Betano account.
You will need to opt into this promotion via the Offers tab or Sign Up page. The bet must be made on a horse racing event with odds or 2/1 or more.
On settlement of your qualifying bet, you will get the same amount of your first stake credited in horse racing free bets, up to £40, as follows: 50% – any Horse Racing Acca (2+ selections), 50% – Lengthen the Odds
Betano will match your first bet and will credit it in free bets. The maximum amount of Free Bets that will be credited is £40. You can only use Apple Pay or debit cards to make a qualifying deposit.
This isn’t really a bookie that overdoes it when it comes to offers for its existing customers. However, there is the Lucky Dip promotion for bettors with existing accounts. This feature works across various sports and lets punters select Lucky Dip picks that match the odds they want, from low to high.
Other than that, bettors on this platform can enjoy all of the usual bet boosts and enhanced odds, cash out, and bet builders.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Choice, as there is a selection of three welcome bonuses to pick from. One each for horse racing, football, and sports in general, worth £40, £30, and £10 in free bets respectively. This is obviously a good thing, but I wonder why, unless anyone really doesn’t like football and horse racing, why they wouldn’t take one of the higher offers. Surely £30 or £40 is more enticing than £10. Either way, each to their own so it’s good to have a choice.
5. William Hill offer: £60 in Free Bet
William Hill’s sign-up offer provides impressively low min bet odds of 1/5. A familiar household name in the UK betting landscape, they also benefit from international viability online. In terms of structure, this betting offer is quite different from typical betting bonuses, offering £60 in total value split between Vegas and sports betting. Here's what you need to know as a player:
You'll get a £20 Vegas bonus and £40 in sports free bets after placing a £10 qualifying bet. However, there's a catch – the sports portion comes as 4 separate £10 free bets, and you can't access them until you've dealt with the Vegas bonus first. This is important because the Vegas portion comes with a 30x wagering requirement, which means you'll need to play through quite a bit before accessing your sports free bets.
Pros
Cons
Best for: While the £60 total bonus value sounds attractive, this is a bonus for players willing to engage with both casino and sports betting, and who don't mind working through more complex requirements to access their full bonus. If you're looking for straightforward sports betting free bets, you might want to consider simpler alternatives.
6. BetVictor offer: Get £40 in free bets
BetVictor is a well-known name in the UK betting market, offering a generous welcome bonus for new customers. Their latest sign-up promotion consists of 2 x £5 accumulator betting credits and 2 x £5 free bets on any sports betting market.
Deposits from any method other than Debit Cards or Apple Pay payments do not qualify for the BetVictor bet and exclude virtual markets. While the value of the bet is decent enough, it’s paid out in 4 separate amounts. The seven-day expiry is the industry average.
Pros
Cons
7. Planet Sport Bet Offer
Names like Planet Sport Bet are less familiar to UK betting customers. While Planet Sport Bet deserve credit for having several varying promotions for existing customers, their welcome offer is at the bottom of the pile in terms of value.
It's not a bad offer compared to bookmakers of the same size. We just wouldn't classify it as one of the best free bet offers. The Bet £10, Get £20 in Free Bets promotion for new customers doesn’t measure up against the premium operators. The bet must be placed within 24 hours of sign-up, too, which is, again, a small timeframe.
Pros
Cons
8. Star Sports Betting offer: Get up to £25 back
Star Sports provides a 50% cashback free bet if your first bet loses, up to £25, plus 25 free spins on Gold Horsey Winner. We’d mirror the same opinions with StarSports as with Planet Sport Bet. While their platforms are both easy to use and involve predominantly the same markets as all of the other big platforms on our list, the cashback bonus of up to 50% of your stake is cashback when you place a £50 bet isn’t comparable in terms of value to any of the other promotions we’ve looked at.
The best free bet offers should provide value at the foundation of their promotion, but to place a £50 bet only to get up to £25 maximum back, we’d put it toward the lower end of our list.
Pros
Cons
9. SBK Betting offer: Get £30 in free bets
SBK’s promotion is slightly different from the rest of the sign-up offers we’ve explored. It provides £30 in free bets for a minimum £10 first deposit via debit card or bank transfer. The free bets are credited in staggered amounts over 48 hours.
New customers must register for their app, and the initial deposit must be via card or bank transfer. We can’t criticise the speed or efficiency of the site once you tick these boxes, but we didn't like how the bonus is credited in staggered payouts. The first £10 in free bets are credited upon settlement, another £10 after 24 hours, a further £5 Horse Racing Multiple tokens, and a £5 Football Bet Builder token after 48 hours.
It’s not the worst, but it's also not the best free bet sign-up offer we have looked at today. It feels overthought, unlike the Betfred offer, which is just £30 on any sportsbook and £20 on two accumulators – much simpler.
Pros
Cons
How do free bets work? A first-time bettor's guide
A free bet is essentially a stake provided by a bookmaker that allows you to place a wager without using your own money. This first-time bettor's guide to free bets explains how and why the bets aren't quite as “free” in the traditional sense – they usually require some form of qualifying action on your part. Let's get into it.
Understanding Free Bets
- Non-withdrawable: You can't cash out the free bet itself
- Stake not returned: If you win a £10 free bet at 3/1, you receive £30 (not £40)
- Restricted use: Often limited to certain markets or minimum odds
- Time-limited: Most expire within 7 days
Example in Practice
Let's say you receive a £10 free bet from Bet365:
- You place it on a Premier League match at odds of 3/1
- If it wins: You receive £30 in winnings (stake not returned)
- If it loses: You haven't lost any of your own money
From a bookmaker's standpoint, free bets represent a calculated investment in customer acquisition. Bookmakers are willing to accept an initial loss to gain long-term customers, especially in today's highly competitive market. For established bookmakers with substantial marketing budgets, free bets are a standard cost of doing business. However, newer platforms must carefully balance the size and frequency of these offers against their potential returns. This explains why you'll often see more generous offers from major brands compared to newer entrants in the market.
How to Claim Free Bets: Step-by-Step Guide
Here's exactly how to claim betting sign-up offers:
Step 1: Choose Your Bookmaker
Select from our recommended betting sites above. Consider factors like:
- Free bet amount
- Minimum deposit requirements
- Wagering requirements
- Available sports markets
Step 2: Register Your Account
- Click the sign-up button
- Enter personal details (name, DOB, address)
- Create username and password
- Enter any promo codes if required
Step 3: Verify Your Identity
- Upload photo ID (driving licence or passport)
- Confirm address with utility bill
- Complete any additional KYC requirements
Step 4: Make Your Qualifying Deposit
Most free bet offers start with a deposit requirement. For example, a ‘Bet £10, Get £30' offer will usually require a minimum first deposit of £10 or more within a certain timeframe of your registration. Certain payment methods may be excluded, especially e-wallets such as Skrill or Neteller, so we recommend making your first deposit with a traditional card payment to ensure you qualify.
- Navigate to the cashier
- Choose payment method (debit card recommended)
- Deposit the minimum required amount
- Ensure payment method qualifies for the offer
What is the most common minimum deposit for triggering a sports betting bonus?
The most commonly found minimum deposit for unlocking a sports welcome bonus is £10, but as we have seen, there are deals out there that work with £5, and there are more expensive ones too. Whatever the cost, the deposit will need to be wagered before any bonus is applied.
Step 5: Place Your Qualifying Bet
Each betting offer comes with minimum odds and wagering requirements. Usually, this is around 2/1, but some offers lower the threshold to appeal to more customers. The current Bet365 offer we discussed involves a £10 bet on any sports market with odds of 1/5 (1.2) or higher.
If your bet falls under this, you will not qualify for the free betting credits, so it’s crucial to take this on board when you sign up.
Your first bet needs to meet the minimum stake requirement exactly or exceed it. For instance, if the offer requires a £10 qualifying bet, placing a £5 bet won't count towards the requirement, and in many cases, splitting it into two £5 bets won't qualify either.
- Find a qualifying sporting market specified in terms
- Meet minimum odds requirements
- Place bet of required amount
- Wait for bet to settle
Step 6: Receive Your Free Bets
Another important component is the expiry date. You don’t want to sign up for a betting offer and come back to it the following day only to find it has expired. While this is rare, some bonuses include a 24-hour expiry.
- Free bets credited within 24-48 hours
- Check your account balance
- Use within specified timeframe
From our experience, this can be the case with smaller providers. All of the big names we’ve touched on today range from between 3-7 days, but in the case of Bet365, once you have placed your qualifying bet, you have up to 90 days to claim the £30 in betting credits – again, always check the expiry to avoid this potential disappointment.
Free Bet Calculator
When using free bets, it's helpful to understand potential returns. Many punters use a free bet calculator to work out:
- Potential profit from different odds
- Best value selections
- Lay betting requirements for matched betting
Most major bookmakers provide free bet calculators on their sites, or you can find independent tools online.
What to Bet on in the UK with Free Bets – Major 2025 Sporting Events
2025 has got a lot in store for sports fans with all of the annual favourite events making their yearly return, plus a popular biennial event getting its 2025 renewal.
Later on in the year in September, the Ryder Cup will take place at Bethpage Black on New York's Long Island. The Ryder Cup is a biennial men's golf competition that takes place on alternating courses in the United States and Europe.
We still don’t know what the line-ups will be over three days, but the odds currently have the hosts, the USA, as odds-on favourites to wrestle back their crown from Europe, which won the last event held in Italy.
The Americans are around the 10/13 mark to win this year’s event, with the Europeans 7/4 to retain their title. A draw has been priced up at around 12/1.
Using free bets effectively requires knowing when all major sporting events take place. Here’s a calendar of key UK and international sporting events in 2025:
Month | Event | Sport | Location |
---|---|---|---|
January | Snooker Masters | Snooker | Alexandra Palace, London |
February | Six Nations Rugby | Rugby | Various |
March | Cheltenham Festival | Horse Racing | Cheltenham Racecourse |
April | Grand National | Horse Racing | Aintree Racecourse |
May | FA Cup Final | Football | Wembley, London |
June | Wimbledon Tennis | Tennis | London |
July | The Open Championship | Golf | St Andrews |
August | Premier League Kickoff | Football | Various |
September | The Ryder Cup | Golf | Bethpage Black Course, New York |
October | Champions League Group Stage | Football | Various |
November | ATP Finals | Tennis | Palasport Olimpico, Turin |
December | PDC World Darts Championship | Darts | Alexandra Palace, London |
These events provide great opportunities for bettors to take full advantage of free bet promotions on high-profile tournaments, matches and races.
Best new customer betting offers – Latest promotions
Although sports betting platforms will use their main offer to bring in new customers, there will be limited-time offers that aim to take advantage of specific tournaments that are capturing national interest. The most obvious recent example is the Euros, where Ladbrokes, William Hill, and Coral offered specific Euros-based best betting offers.
Betano went one better and aligned themselves as the betting sponsor of the whole tournament, and they had extensive offers available to welcome new customers. This is mirrored through other tournaments, including the World Cup, the Super Bowl, the Grand National, and the Rugby World Cup—to name a few. Ultimately, the idea is to capitalise on the trending markets and bring in sports betting fans who follow these big tournaments.
Best Value Offers – William Hill's £60 free bets
Out of the 10 sign-up offers we explored, William Hill offers the highest amount of free bets: £60. Though it's not paid out as a straight betting credit of that value, it’s one of the best sign-up betting offers available to UK customers.
Sportsmole's pick for the best betting sign-up offer
Out of all the promotions we’ve explored today, it isn’t easy to decide on one. The truth is, at least half of the ten we looked at could have a strong case – we’d say, though, out of all the options, it’s Bet365.
Their offer includes £30 of betting credits on any of their sports betting markets. While all the others we touched on include a cluster of popular sports, Bet365 proves why they’re consistently named the best online betting sign-up offers.
All their sports markets are included in their betting credits; you can use the free bets in any denomination you want – including sixty-50 pence bets if the mood strikes you.
The minimum odds of 1/5 and having 90 days to use your betting credits help Bet365 stand out. While the other bonuses have high points and positives, the best free bet offers UK customers can currently take advantage of are Bet365 and Betfred.
Betfred
On the face of it – Betfred’s welcome bonus ticks many of the boxes as the best betting sign-up offers currently on the UK market. It offers a 500% return in free betting credits, and the expiry date of 7 days is industry standard. One thing to be careful of is that it only applies to card payment methods; if you use Apple Pay, PayPal, bank transfer, etc., you will not qualify.
Their T&Cs are well structured on their site, and given their presence in the UK market since the mid-1960s, they’re a visible brand that people recognise. The betting credits are paid out as 3x£10 bets and 2x£10 accumulators.
Pros
Cons
Best for: The Betfred offer is highly advantageous if you want a simple yet generous welcome bonus. It's especially well-suited to those interested in horse racing.
Coral
As the UK's oldest active sports betting company, Coral has more than 300+ locations nationwide. Since 2016, the company has been owned by Ladbrokes, which went through a corporate takeover and restructured the business, which is why the welcome promotion is virtually the same.
With the Coral sign-up offer, prepaid cards, Moneybookers, InstantBank, Paypal, Paysafe, Neteller, and Skrill are not accepted and must be used within seven days. Coral is known to offer some of the best free bet offers and often mixes them up to attract new customers.
Best Free Bets by Sport
Different sports betting sites specialise in various markets. Below is a table of the best betting offers by sport:
Sport | Best Betting Offer | Bookmaker |
---|---|---|
Football | Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets | BetVictor |
Horse Racing | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | Betfred |
Tennis | Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets | Ladbrokes |
Golf | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | Coral |
Esports | Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets | SBK |
These sportsbooks offer specialised promotions tailored to specific sports, making them ideal choices for betting on different events.
Can I withdraw my free bets?
No, usually you are not able to directly withdraw a free bet as cash. You can usually withdraw the winnings from a free bet after you have met all the requirements of the offer. Even here though, the stake part of the bet that the bookmaker put up, will not be included in any winnings.
Do free bets expire?
Yes, free bets always have an expiry date. Most expire within seven days if not used, although some can last up to 30 or 90 days. Always be sure to check the terms before claiming an offer.
Can I cash out a free bet?
No, Most bookies stipulate in their terms and conditions that they will not allow cashing out on free bets. You must settle the bet in full before withdrawing any winnings.
What happens if I win with a free bet?
You will receive the winnings from the free bet, but not the stake itself. For example, a £10 free bet at 3/1 would return £30, but you wouldn’t get the £10 stake back.
What sports can I use my free bets on?
This will be stated in the terms and conditions of the deal in question. Some free bet offers are generic sports free bets or sports specific free bets or a mixture of both.
Free Bet Terms and Conditions Explained
Understanding wagering requirements and terms is crucial for successful betting:
Key Terms to Understand
Minimum Odds
- Most offers require odds of 1/2 (1.5) or higher
- Some enhanced offers may require 2/1 or more
- Check if each-way bets qualify
Wagering Requirements
- How many times you must bet the bonus amount
- Sports bets typically have 1x requirement
- Casino bonuses often require 30x-40x wagering
Qualifying Deposit Methods
- Debit cards usually accepted
- E-wallets (Skrill, Neteller) often excluded
- PayPal acceptance varies by bookmaker
Time Limits
- Qualifying bet placement: Usually 7-30 days
- Free bet usage: Typically 7 days
- Account registration: Often 30 days from sign-up
How I rated the best betting offers
If you are wondering how I came up with the rankings for the betting offers, below I have outlined some of the criteria that I took into consideration when writing this review.
For me, the most important consideration in rating a bookmaker’s offer is how transparent the terms and conditions are. Regardless of any offer, you should always make sure that you read the full terms and conditions so that you are completely aware of what you need to do before claiming it.
Here are some critical factors for rating a betting offer.
- Best value: Punters want the best value that they can get from a betting offer. As we know, the cheapest qualifying deposit and wager needed to unlock a welcome offer is £5, which currently pays out £30 in free bets. Most of the time, betting offers are triggered by a £10 wager, so any of these bonuses that offer the highest percentage of free profit to play with will always score highly.
- Ease of use: I also consider how easy it is to claim and subsequently use the reward. Bonuses shouldn’t be hard work; they need to be fun. Betting is a leisure pursuit, after all.
- Wagering requirements: Again, any wagering requirements, if there are any, should be clearly stated in the terms and conditions of the deal. While wagering requirements are generally more applicable to casino bonuses, some bookies enforce them, too, which I am not a fan of.
- Minimum odds: You must ensure that the odds of your qualifying bet meet the requirements of the bonus terms and conditions. This is even more important when you’re betting on accas due to their multiple legs. I rate bookies that require fair odds as better than those that ask for unfair and unlikely-to-win odds.
- Eligible bets: Some bookies can be flexible and allow bettors to wager on the markets they want to unlock a promotion. Others require players to place their bets on a certain market or insist that it must be a bet builder or accumulator. I prefer flexibility.
- Maximum winnings: Because the bookies are the ones that are fronting the stakes for the free bets, winnings can be capped. The higher the pay out cap of the promotion, the better.
- Expiry period: I considered this twice. Firstly, how long do I have to make the qualifying wager after I sign up for a new betting account, and how long do I have to use up my free bets after they have been credited? Because the event you want to bet on might be some time in the future, you will want as much time as possible for both scenarios.
Beyond free bets: Other popular betting offers
While we’ve covered nine of the biggest names in UK sports betting and their betting offers, this is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all of the other types of betting offers available on the market.
To that end, here are some other types of betting offers, including how they work.
Cash back bonus
The cash back offer, which can also be known as the money back offer, promises to provide some of your initial stake back to you if your bet does not go on to win. The only current example out of our selection of the top UK betting offers being promoted today is the Star Sports Bet offer of getting up to 50% of your stake as cash back when you place a £50 bet.
Cash back offers are promotions that are available at a number of online betting sites. These types of promotions are good because they provide bettors with the opportunity to receive a percentage of their losses back. This is why they have often proved to be popular with high rollers.
The refund can either be paid out in cash, or dished out in free bets, and are considered to be a type of by insurance against a losing bet by many punters. There are a lot of different types of cash back betting offers out there, but they all work on the idea that if your bet loses, you will get a refund of some sorts.
Other types of this promotion might vary, but this is more commonly found in casino bonuses than in sports betting promotions.
No deposit bonus
No-deposit bonuses are harder to find but are considered to be the best betting sign-up offers because punters aren’t required to deposit any of their own money.
A no deposit bonus often has less scope than the more common deposit bonuses, as your bookie will be giving you something for free.
Acca Insurance
Another popular bonus with football bettors is acca insurance. The idea behind acca insurance is that, should one leg of your accumulator bet let you down, you will get your money back. This reduces the risk, slightly.
With this promotion, you can get all or some of your stake returned to you, either in the form of cash or free bets.
In some cases, betting sites will offer this promotion with only a percentage of your stake returned, but you can check this first in the terms and conditions.
Bet Insurance
Betting insurance is for players who are not fully confident that their bet will win. Some sports betting sites allow players to insure a bet at any time. Most of time, the cost of bet insurance will depend on the current odds on an exact outcome.
Bettors can insure the rate in full or partially. If a bet does go on to lose, the part of it that is insured is returned to the punter’s balance. This makes it a good option for almost all types of players as the risk is lower and the winnings are not completely wiped out.
Cash Out
Cash out works in a similar way to betting insurance in that it is something that bettors consider when their bet looks like tanking. Again, punters can cash out the bet in full or partially at the top betting sites.
This feature works while the bet is live and the wagered event is ongoing. It is hard to get cash out right and you need to go with your gut. While it is a good feature, it is a test of nerve that the bookie will almost always normally win.
Basically, as an example, let’s say that you backed a football team to win a match, and that is what it looks like will happen with 15 minutes left in the game. The opponents though look like getting the next goal and ruining your bet. As they increasingly apply the pressure, you might want to cash out while you are ahead.
Difference between free bets and deposit bonuses
Deposit bonuses aim to supplement your initial deposit with free betting credits. This is the industry-wide approach, and it is the most common of the promotions you will encounter as a new customer.
The main difference is that deposit bonuses require you to put some of your own money in, and free bets are for simply registering with the site.
Betting Offers for Existing Customers UK
While welcome bonuses grab headlines, the best betting sites also reward loyal customers:
Regular Promotions Available
- Acca Insurance: Money back if one leg fails
- Profit Boosts: Enhanced winnings on selected bets
- Best Odds Guaranteed: Automatic price improvements
- Free Bet Clubs: Weekly rewards for regular betting
- Cashback Offers: Refunds on losing bets
Daily and Weekly Promotions
Beyond welcome offers, bookmakers provide regular promotions:
Daily Offers
- Price boosts on popular markets
- Flash bonuses during major events
- Enhanced accumulators
Weekly Promotions
- Free bet clubs (bet £25, get £5 free)
- Accumulator bonuses
- Cashback on specific leagues
Sports-Specific Betting Offers
Best Betting Offers for Premier League
- Bet365: Early payout if team leads by 2 goals
- William Hill: Enhanced odds on match results
- Ladbrokes: Acca boost up to 50%
Horse Racing Free Bet Offers
- Betfred: Daily race specials
- Paddy Power: Money back if horse finishes 2nd
- Coral: Extra places on big races
Tennis Betting Sign-Up Offers
- NetBet: Set betting insurance
- BetVictor: Enhanced odds on Grand Slams
- 888sport: Free bet if first set goes to tie-break
Golf Betting Welcome Bonus
- Sky Bet: Each-way extra places
- Betway: Dead heat insurance
- Unibet: Tournament winner specials
Bookies with Casino & Bingo Offers (2025)
For those interested in casino and bingo promotions, here are some standout offers in 2025:
Jackpotjoy – Get £50 Bingo Tickets or 30 Free Spins
- Available for new UK players
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- Wagering requirements apply
Virgin Games – Get 100 Free Spins
- Instant access to free spins upon deposit
- Works on multiple slot games
- 30x wagering requirement
Rainbow Riches – Get 30 Free Spins
- Popular Irish-themed slot bonus
- Free spins available for new customers
- Bonus expires in 7 days
Recap
When selecting betting sign-up offers, value should be your primary consideration by comparing the total free bet amount against the deposit required. Always check the terms carefully, paying close attention to wagering requirements and any restrictions that might apply. The platform's usability matters too – ensure it suits your betting preferences and offers the sports markets you're interested in. Don't forget to look beyond the welcome offer and consider what ongoing promotions are available for existing customers.
Our top recommendation remains Bet365 because of its generous welcome bonus, user-friendly terms, and excellent platform features.
Remember to gamble responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
FAQs on betting offers
Will the free bet’s stake be returned as part of my winnings?
No, unfortunately not. You will receive the winnings from the free bet, but not the stake itself. For example, a £10 free bet at 3/1 would return £30, but you wouldn’t get the £10 stake back as you would with a real money bet
Are there free bets for existing customers?
Yes, a lot of bookmakers offer free bets to their existing customers. These can usually be issued through a loyalty clubs, free games or as consolation prizes.
What banking methods can I use to get my bonus?
This differs from betting site to betting site, but for the most part, only a Visa or Mastercard debit will unlock a bonus. On some occasions, you might find online betting offers that can work with a payment made with other forms of payments such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Other than free bets, are there any other promotions on offer for existing bookmaker account holders?
Yes, there is always lots on offer for bettors to take advantage of as online betting sites want to retain player custom as much as possible. These will differ across all the different betting sites, but will often include the following acca boosts, enhanced odds, best odds guaranteed, money back, early pay outs and more.
Which online bookmaker has the best sports betting promotions?
This really depends on what you enjoy the most. There are a lot of different bonuses across all of the alternative betting sites and some platforms offer more than others. Also, these promotions can change on a regular basis. Your best bet (excuse the pun) is to shop around and browse some of the top betting sites and decide for yourself which ones have the best sports betting promotions.