Free bets are widely available on UK betting sites for new and existing customers.

At The Independent, our experts have done the hard work to find the best free bet offers through our impartial, detailed analysis focusing on providing you with optimum value.

This in-depth research involves testing to assess odds requirements, free bet key terms and conditions and availability, ensuring our recommendations are reliable and up to date, including our daily offers section.

What Are Free Bets?

Free bets are promotions offered by betting sites that allow you to place a bet without risking your own money.

Free bets come with terms and conditions. Usually, you must deposit or stake a qualifying amount to receive a free bet, which can be used on selected sports and events.

UK betting sites may apply wagering requirements, meaning winnings must be played through a set number of times before you can withdraw, but this is more common on casino sites.

How Do Free Bets UK Work?

Free bets are simple to use. Betting sites attach either a box or toggle on the bet slip that users need only to tick or move to enable free bets on their wager.

If your bet wins, you keep the profit, but the free bet stake itself isn’t returned.

Some bookmakers may require you to use free bets in precise portions, such as £5 or £10, while others will allow you to bet with amounts of your choosing until you’ve used up your balance.

Today’s Free Bet Offers

Here are the latest betting sign up offers and free bets available for today’s major sporting events.

Best Betting Offers

We’ve looked at all the best betting offers online and broken down our top picks by category.

Best Betting Sign Up Offers

We’ve looked at the betting sign up offers provided by many of the best betting sites to bring you our top offer on the market for new customers.

Bet £5 Get £30 Free Bets UK

Offer rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Promo Code: N/A

Ladbrokes is our top pick for the betting sign up offer that provides the best value for new customers online.

Customers on a smaller budget will love using Ladbrokes compared to other bookies given that new users only need to deposit £5 to claim the Ladbrokes sign up offer.

Ladbrokes is the best £5 deposit betting site on the market, allowing users to deposit and bet £5 to unlock £30 in free bets after signing up online.

The 1/2 odds threshold is one of the lowest available for welcome offers, while new users can bet on any sport on its vast sportsbook. So, there’s plenty of flexibility where to place your qualifying bet, which must be made within 14 days of signing up.

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Once that qualifying bet settles, you’ll receive £30 in free bets paid out in 6 x £5 installments within 24 hours. There’s also flexibility regarding these free bets with 4 x £5 free bets available to use on any sport on Ladbrokes, while 2 x £5 free bets are reserved for football bet builders.

New users get seven days to use their free bets, which is standard across the industry. Beyond that, existing customers have plenty of promotions at hand.

But in terms of betting sign up offers, you’ll struggle to find better value from such a low deposit and qualifying bet, which is why we rate it as the second best betting offer on the market.

Alternative Betting Sign Up Offer

Betfred

Betfred offer one of the best value betting offers on the market, where new customers that bet £10 on a market with odds of evens or greater can claim £50 in free bets after using the Betfred promo code BETFRED50.

We like the value and simplicity of the betting sign up offer, although the odds requirement of evens and the fact that portions of allocated free bets are not available to use on the entire sportsbook knock it down slightly.

It’s still a tremendous value bonus for new users.

Betting Offers: Top Free Bet Club

Free bet offers are widely available on the best betting sites for existing customers that place regular bets online. Depending on your chosen betting site, these can be called rewards, loyalty bonuses or free bet clubs.

Bet £20 Get £5 Free Bets

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Available to: New and existing customers

Virgin Bet rewards club is straightforward to use and is available on a weekly. Customers that place four qualifying acca bets worth £5 are rewarded with a £5 free bet to use on an acca bet.

Users only need to opt-in on the promotion before placing four £5 accas with odds of 2/1 or greater between Monday to Sunday.

After the qualifying bets have settled, customers will receive a £5 free acca bet to use across the Virgin Bet sportsbook.

The minimum odds to use your free bet are 1/100, so you’re spoiled for choice and there are no restrictions where you can use your bonus.

Better yet, bettors have seven day to use their free bets.

Alternative Free Bet Club

Betway

Customers that opt-in on Betway’s Free Bet Club can claim £10 in free bets after betting £25 or more on trebles, accumulators or bet builders with at least three selections.

The qualifying terms are straightforward and accessible for all users, with a reasonable minimum odds requirement of 2/1 for bets.

Once qualifying your bets are settled, £10 in free bets are paid in two £5 installments. Free bets are credited one at a time – one on Saturday and another on Monday.

Free Bet Offers: Best Moneyback Specials

Moneyback specials are one of the most intriguing betting offers available for existing customers. It protects customers’ stakes if their selection loses and are most commonly found on leading football betting sites and horse racing betting sites.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Available to: New and existing customers

Sports: Football, Horse Racing

Bet365 are relative newcomers to moneyback specials, but have expanded their free bet offers to include this feature for bets on a number of sports, including football and horse racing.

Bet365 moneyback specials are most common on football, and notably the Premier League where the game of the week will be covered with a moneyback special, although Champions League and Europa League midweek games have also featured with this betting offer.

To qualify, customers simply have to place a qualifying bet builder on the eligbile game.

What we love about the offer is the low odds threshold for qualifying bet builders, requiring odds of evens or greater. Bet365 also include their ‘Sub Play On’ promotion for bet builders giving your wager that extra chance to succeed.

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Bettors can wager up to £10 and will receive their stake back in free bets back if their bet fails, while you must tick the ‘Money Back As Free Bets’ box on the bet slip to ensure you qualify for the betting offer.

Free bets are credited with 24 hours and bettors can use their credits anywhere on one of the best betting sites in the business.

Horse racing has also been added to the repotoire recently, with customers being able to claim their moneyback as free bets if their horse loses on eligible races.

Alternative Moneyback Special

BoyleSports

BoyleSports provides moneyback specials for an extra safety net on bets on the horses.

This betting offer is available for selected horse races, where bettors will receive a refund on their stake up to £20 should their selection finishes runner-up to the Starting Price (SP) favourite.

These moneyback specials are available daily and applies to both win and each-way singles. Free bets are credited within 24 hours and are valid for seven days.

However, bettors must bear in mind there are restrictions with this promotion. Ante-post, in-play and void bets are not eligible, and there must be at least five runners in the race you bet on.

Free Bet Offers: Top Bet and Get Offers

Bet and get promos are extremely popular betting offers. These are regular promotions that are offered around major events, notably football matches.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Available to: New and existing customers

Qualifying odds: 2/1

NetBet provide this promo on a wide range of sports and betting markets, particularly for acca bets and bet builders.

Free bet offers are common around major events including football, horse racing and UFC events. The odds thresholds are extremely fair around 2/1 for qualifying wagers.

Waiting for a qualifying wager to settle is usually the standard practice before receiving free bets, but NetBet have been known to credit free bets after the confirmation of qualifying wagers.

Alternative Bet & Get

Midnite

Midnite are one of the newest betting sites on the market, but offer competitive bet and get offers for existing customers that match many established brands.

Users can find the Midnite bet and get offers in the ‘Rewards’ section, with betting offers including coverage of football, darts, NFL, cricket and more.

The qualifying bet is more often than not £10, with the free bet payout ranging from a 100 per cent match to a 50 per cent match with £10 and £5 free bets available.

The odds requirements are also fair at evens, which is an improvement on NetBet albeit not as frequent.

Types Of Free Bets

Free bets come in two main forms: betting sign up offers for new customers and ongoing betting offers for existing bettors.

There are certain types of free bet offers that are commonly available on betting sites including:

How The Independent Rate and Review Free Bets

Before a bookmaker makes our list of free bet offers, they must meet key criteria to ensure a high-quality betting experience.

1. Licensing

Only sites with a valid UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence are considered on our list of recommended operators.

It is non-negotiable. The UKGC ensures fair play and consumer protection, working alongside independent testing agencies like eCOGRA, whose rigorous standards all our recommended bookies have met.

If a bookmaker isn’t regulated, it’s not safe – anyone can verify a licence via the UKGC register.

2. Security

Security is a top priority when evaluating betting sites. Every bookmaker we recommend must implement high-quality security measures such as SSL encryption and two-factor authentication to protect customer data.

3. Reputation

Reputation also plays a role – established brands like Betfred and Bet365 consistently rank highly with us, but we also highlight new, reputable operators such as BetMGM when their free bet offers meet our expectations.

4. Mobile

With most bets now placed on phones and tablets, mobile betting functionality is essential.

Bookmakers with dedicated betting apps that mirror the desktop experience are given preference, and we also consider user app reviews from the Apple and Google Play stores.

5. Experience

The customer experience is equally crucial – we rigorously test bookmaker support channels, favouring those that provide fast, effective resolutions.

Ultimately, our rankings focus on the quality of the free bet offers – how rewarding, flexible and accessible they are to the average punter.

We also take into account matters including odds restrictions, timeframe to both unlock free bet offers and use your bonus funds, wagering requirements and what payment methods are available.

6. Value

Operators that provide valuable betting sign up offers, competitive terms, and ongoing free bet promotions for returning customers get the highest ratings and we constantly review our top betting offers.

Free Bet Promo Codes

Please Gamble Responsibly

If you decide to engage with any of the online betting sites highlighted on this page, remember to gamble responsibly, even when using free bets and betting sign up offers.

When betting, always assume you’ll lose and therefore, only bet what you can afford to lose.

The same applies if you’re using new casino sites, slot sites, poker sites or any other form of gambling.

Make sure you use the responsible gambling tools offered by betting companies such as deposit limits, reality checks, loss limits and time outs. These can stop gambling from getting out of hand.

If you have gambling-related concerns, then seek independent help. There are several UK charities and institutions that offer support, advice and information, with a few listed below:

Free Bets FAQs

What is a free bet?

A free bet is a bonus that is credited to a customer by a betting site to bet on an event. The free bet will carry a numerical value that customers can either use in whole or use partial funds. Customers may be limited to certain sports or events with free bets.

How do you get free bets?

Free bets can be acquired by new customers by signing up for betting site. Bookmakers will also offer promotional free bets for existing customers though betting offers such as bet and get and loyalty.

Can you withdraw free bets?

No. Free bets are non-withdrawable. Customers must use the bonus on the sportsbook in their entirety within the timeframe specified by the bookmaker. Free bets that are not used in the timeframe will expire.

Which bookmaker offers the best betting sign up offer?

In our research we found that Ladbrokes offer the best betting sign up offer on the market, providing new customers with £30 in free bets after signing up online and betting £5. Betfred also offer an impressive betting sign up offer.

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