Best Free Bets UK: Sports Betting Sign Up Offers
At City AM, our team of experts has carefully handpicked the leading free bet offers from the top UK sports betting sites.
Sports betting is a huge industry in the UK, drawing punters from all over the country. At the UK’s best sports betting sites, punters can enjoy various sports betting markets, with plenty of incentives on offer for new and existing customers, the most common type being free bets.
Read on to find out about sites that offer leading free bet promotions, allowing customers to place bets on their favourite betting markets without risking their own funds.
City AM’s journalism is supported by our readers. If you click links to other sites on this page, we will earn a commission.
Our Recommended Free Bet Offers for December
Bet365 – Bet £10 and Get £50 in Free Bets
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&Cs apply. Registration Required.
Betfred – £50 in Free Bets when you Bet £10
New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0) + on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
BetVictor – Get £30 in Bonuses + 30 Free Spins
18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet min £10 on any sports market at min odds of 1/1 (2.00) + No cash out. Get £20 in Free Bets, £10 Live Casino Bonus + 30 Free Spins for selected slots. 40x wagering for the bonus, max withdrawal £250, valid 30 days. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Debit Card/Apple Pay Payments only. T&Cs Apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly.
Midnite – Bet £10 Get £20 + 50 Free Spins
New customers only. Bet £10+ on pre-match accas with 4+ legs, min odds 3/1 (4.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get 4x £5 Horse Racing Free Bets and 50 Free Spins, valid for 7 days on selected bets and games only. Restrictions and T&Cs apply.
NetBet – Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets
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.
William Hill – Get £60 in Free Bets
18+. Play Safe. New players using T60 code. Online only. Get £60 bonus split as follows: (i) Deposit £10. Get a £20 Vegas Bonus on selected games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); “(ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash or Vegas winnings (after wager regulations met). Once settled, get 4x£10 sports free bets (valid 7 days, excl. virtual sports). Payment & country restrictions & full T&Cs apply. #ad GambleAware.org.
Neptune Play – Bet £10 Get £10 + 10 Bonus Spins
Terms & Conditions +18. New Costumers Only. Terms and Conditions Apply. Min. Deposit £10 and Min. Bet £10 on odds at least or greater than 1/1. Deposits via PayPal, Neteller, Paysafe, Skrill or Skrill 1-Tap will not be eligible for any bonus bet offer. Bonus Bet and bonus spins awarded within 24 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Offer valid for 14 Days. See full terms here.
CopyBet – Bet £10 Get £50
BET 10 GET 50 offer is available only for the customers who signed up on 01.02.2024 or later. Opt in through your Profile on the CopyBet website or the CopyBet mobile app. Complete your first deposit using your Instant bank payment to unlock the offer. The qualifying bet should be a Single or Acca (2+ selections) bet, start at £10 and have 1.9 or higher odds. Each free bet lasts for 7 days. Offer stands for verified. UK clients No Cash-Out. Max payout – £500. See full Terms & Conditions.
Betano – Get £10 in Free Bets when you bet £10
18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 (odds 2.00+) within 3 days of sign up. No cash-out. Get a £10 Free Bet (odds 2.0+), which expires in 5 days. T&Cs Apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly.
Parimatch – Get £20 in Free Bets when you bet £10
18+, New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on any sports (odds 2.00+) in 7 days. No cash out. Get 4x£5 sports free bets for set markets (odds 2.00+), which expire in 7 days. Scroll down for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly.
Fitzdares – Bet £50 and Get £25 in Free Bets
New customers only, aged 18+. Min deposit £10. Place a £50 bet on any sport at at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater to qualify for three free bets on settlement: £10 on Football, £10 on Greyhounds and £5 on Virtual Sports, plus 10 Free Spins on Reel King. Free Bet & Spins expire in 7 days. Additional T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly.
Spreadex – Get £50 in Bet Bonuses
Join and place a £10 fixed odds bet at odds of 1/2 or greater. Once the bet is settled, get a £10 free fixed odds bet plus a £5 free Total Goals football spread bet. The second £10 free fixed odds bet and second £5 free Total Goals football spread bet will be credited 24 hours later. Free bet stakes not included in any winnings from the free fixed odds bets. You need to open a full sports spread betting account to use the 2 x £5 free Total Goals football spread bets. Free bets expire in 28 days if unused. Promotions available to 18+ aged individuals who are registered customers of Spreadex.
talkSPORT BET – Bet £10 and Get £20 on any Sports
18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 4x £5 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly.
Tote – Bet £10 Get £40 in Bonuses
New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org.Full T&Cs apply.
18+ Gambling Can Be Addictive. Please Play Responsibly. Registration Required GambleAware GamStop Gambling Commission.
Free Bets Explained
As one of the most popular types of sports betting promotions, players can expect to find free bet offers at all of the top online betting sites recommended by our experts.
This type of offer is used at sportsbooks to allow players to complete bets on their favourite markets without risking their funds. This enables punters to enjoy a taste of the betting experience without committing financially.
Players can claim free bets through bonuses such as welcome offers, matched bets, and deposit bonuses. When activating a free bet, the sportsbook deposits an amount into the bettor’s account, which can then be used to place a bet on a sporting event.
Free Bets vs Traditional Sportsbook Bonuses
Free Bets | Traditional Bonuses |
Minimal risk as not using personal funds | Potential for larger win amount |
Excellent for new bettors | Usually, a longer period of time to redeem the offer |
Simple to redeem | A broader range of betting markets are often covered |
Players can try out different betting markets before committing financially | Higher risk as players’ money is at stake |
The maximum win amounts can often be lower than normal bonuses | High playthrough requirements are often present |
How We Choose the Best Free Bet Sites
When selecting the best free bet bonuses, we ensure that all sites fulfil our strict criteria to guarantee users an exemplary sports betting experience. Find out more below about the features to look out for when choosing your next site for free bet promotions.
✅ Range of Promotions
One of the first aspects that our team looks for when visiting an online sportsbook is the range of promotions on offer, specifically the selection of free bet bonuses. Competitive promotions are attractive to both new and existing bettors and are an excellent way for sportsbooks to attract and retain players.
All of our recommended free bet betting sites above provide a vast range of promotions, including free bets, loyalty programmes and matched deposit offers. We also ensure that all bonuses are extremely simple to claim and have fair terms and conditions.
✅ Betting Markets
Another vital part of a leading sportsbook is, naturally, the variety of available betting markets. A good site must have a wide range of markets to suit all player preferences, whether niche or mainstream.
Some top markets we look out for include football, horse racing, cricket, and tennis. In addition to the range of betting markets, our experts ensure that all of our recommended sites offer many different bet types, such as accumulator bets and over/under bets.
✅ Safety & Security
When selecting the best free bet offers from top sites, our experts ensure that all platforms provide adequate safety and security measures.
Our best free bet sites are backed by strong security features, including valid licensing and certification from reliable authorities, including big names like the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. Additionally, all sites have up-to-date data encryption technology to protect players’ personal and financial information.
✅ Customer Service
Whether you are a new or existing bettor claiming the best free bet offers, there is no doubt that you have faced a site query at some point during your online sportsbook experience. All of the leading betting sites that our team have recommended come with a high-quality customer support service to support all player needs.
Users can also expect several well-functioning contact options, including 24/7 live chat, email, telephone and even social media support. Our experts have tried and tested all methods at the leading free bet sites, noting fast response times and a friendly customer support team.
✅ Banking Options
While players do not have to part ways with their hard-earned cash to claim the best free bet offers, we recommend that bettors look out for platforms that come with an adequate range of high-quality and reliable payment methods. However, in order to access other features of the best online sportsbooks, players may be required to complete payments.
To do so, bettors can choose from a selection of top-notch payment methods, including favourites like Visa, MasterCard, Neteller, Skrill, Apple/ Google Pay, and PayPal. Bettors can rest assured that all top betting site banking options have been tested and approved by our experts, noting fast transaction speeds and simple processes.
✅ User Experience
Another important quality that our team ensure all of the best free bet sites offer is an outstanding user experience. Several factors can contribute to an exemplary bettor experience at the top free bet sites. These include the selection of free bet offers, the range of sports betting markets, and the overall functionality of the site.
All of our recommended platforms that offer free bets have several betting markets to suit all player preferences, alongside a good variety of betting options where players can potentially redeem lucrative prizes. They are also powered by industry-leading software, ensuring great functionality and high-quality sports betting.
A Closer Look at some of our Recommended Free Bet Sites
bet365 – Renowned for Top Free Bet Offer
Star Rating | Pros & Cons |
Bonuses and Promotions – ★★★★☆ | ✅ Valid licensing from the UKGC |
Range of Betting Markets – ★★★★☆ | ✅ Generous welcome offer for new players |
Mobile Experience – ★★★★☆ | ✅ Huge range of in-play betting options |
Banking Options – ★★★☆☆ | ✅ Well-functioning mobile app |
User Experience – ★★★★☆ | ❌ Telephone support is unavailable |
As one of the most recognisable names within the online sports betting industry, players can rest assured that they are in great hands at bet365. Their initial sign up offer of bet £10 and get £50 in free bets is a great way for new players to enjoy betting with extra funds on their favourite sports markets.
As well as this superb new player offer, bet365 excels in its ongoing promotions for existing players. These include a best odds guarantee promotion and daily bet boosts. Another great aspect of the bet365 site was the alert and high-quality customer support service to aid players with any queries. Some of the well-functioning contact options that users can choose from include 24/7 live chat, email, and X.
We would have liked to have seen a telephone contact method on the list, but the available options are satisfactory. A slight downside that our experts would have liked to have seen improved was the lack of a loyalty programme where players could potentially unlock more free bet offers. You can find more information about bet365 on our live casino page.
Midnite – Unique Free Bet offers for niche markets
Star Rating | Pros & Cons |
Bonuses and Promotions – ★★★★★ | ✅ Inviting new player offer |
Range of Betting Markets – ★★★★☆ | ✅ Great range of eSports betting options |
Mobile Experience – ★★★☆☆ | ✅ Regular price boosts |
Banking Options – ★★★☆☆ | ✅ Great customer support service |
User Experience – ★★★★☆ | ❌ No Android app |
Players searching for a reliable sports betting platform with a huge range of popular and niche markets and several free bet opportunities should consider Midnite Sportsbook. The site has an easy-to-navigate interface with clear categories, making it easy for players to find exactly what they are looking for.
A main attraction of the Midnite brand is the fully compatible mobile app for iOS devices. Players can enjoy the convenience of wagering on top betting markets and claiming free bet offers on the go. Unfortunately, there is currently no app available for Android devices which may be a disappointment to some users.
At Midnite, there is a betting market suited to all players, be it a mainstream market such as football and horse racing or niche options such as motorsports and darts. Furthermore, eSports are a popular addition to Midnite, allowing users to place bets on their favourite video game titles. One improvement that could be made at Midnite is an expansion of the range of payment options to ensure there is an option for all preferences.
William Hill – Regular Free Bet promotions on major sports events
Star Rating | Pros & Cons |
Bonuses and Promotions – ★★★★★ | ✅ Wide range of top-notch banking options |
Range of Betting Markets – ★★★★★ | ✅ VIP programme for loyal players |
Mobile Experience – ★★★★☆ | ✅ Extensive range of markets |
Banking Options – ★★★★★ | ✅ Fully optimised app for iOS and Android |
User Experience – ★★★★☆ | ❌ The in-play page could be larger |
With several decades of industry experience, it is no surprise that William Hill has made our experts top list for the best free bets. Notably, William Hill is currently offering its new bettors a huge £60 in free bets offer to enjoy on leading markets at the site.
As we went deeper into this excellent platform, we were pleased to see reliable licensing from the UK Gambling Commission and strong data encryption to protect players’ personal and financial data.
A superb aspect of the sportsbook was certainly the selection of high-quality and well-functioning banking options for players to use when withdrawing and depositing. Popular methods include Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Skrill and Apple Pay, to name a few. One slight issue that we noticed with the William Hill sportsbook was the chaotic interface that could make site navigation tricky. Despite this, William Hill is a top choice for bettors across the UK.
Neptune Play – Competitive Free Bet welcome offers with weekly reload bonuses
Star Rating | Pros & Cons |
Bonuses and Promotions – ★★★★☆ | ✅ Interactive live betting options |
Range of Betting Markets – ★★★★☆ | ✅ Great in-play statistics |
Mobile Experience – ★★★★☆ | ✅ High-quality betting features |
Banking Options – ★★★★☆ | ✅ Coverage of niche sports markets |
User Experience – ★★★★☆ | ❌ Withdrawal processing times can be slow |
Established just last year, the Neptune Play sportsbook has built a superb reputation for itself despite its short time in operation. Becoming one of the UK’s best free bets platforms is no easy feat, so bettors can expect a huge range of high-quality site features at Neptune Play.
New players can expect a great welcome offer: bet £10 and get £10, as well as 10 bonus spins. The betting market library at Neptune Play was equally impressive, offering both popular and niche sports to suit all players’ betting preferences. To accompany the vast market selection, Neptune Play offers several exciting betting features, including same-game accumulators, odds boosts, and a leading cash-out feature.
All aspects contribute to an exemplary online betting experience. However, we would have liked to see a VIP programme for loyal players.
Tote – Provider of Free Bets that specialise in Pool Betting
Star Rating | Pros & Cons |
Bonuses and Promotions – ★★★★★ | ✅ Superb desktop and mobile usability |
Range of Betting Markets – ★★★★☆ | ✅ Competitive odds |
Mobile Experience – ★★★★☆ | ✅ Lucrative loyalty programme |
Banking Options – ★★★☆☆ | ✅ Low minimum deposits and withdrawal |
User Experience – ★★★★☆ | ❌ Payment options are limited |
Tote Sportsbook is a leading online sports betting platform where players can find several free bet opportunities. New customers can claim the generous welcome offer of a £10 bet and £40 in bonuses as soon as they sign up to the site.
In addition to this offer, existing players can enjoy ongoing promotions, including the Tote Recharge club, a form of loyalty programme. Here, bettors can work their way up the tiers and potentially earn increasing rewards, including free bets. Despite specialising in sports betting, Tote offers extensive coverage of all popular sports markets to ensure all players will find a betting option suited to them.
Our team’s favourite sportsbook feature at Tote was the live streaming platform. This allows players to stream their favourite sports markets while they take place so as not to miss a thing. In-play betting goes hand in hand with this feature. The football betting markets at Tote were slightly limited. However, we recommend that bettors create their Tote account today to enjoy the incredible site features.
Types of Free Bet Bonuses
Being one of the leading online sports betting bonus offers, it is no surprise that there are a range of different free bet bonuses, each with different incentives. Our team have broken down the most common free bet bonus types.
✰☆✰ Matched Deposit Offer ✰☆✰
One of the first types of free bet offers is matched deposit bonuses. This bonus type is where the bookmaker will return a player’s deposit amount back to them in the form of free bets, which can then be used to enjoy more betting opportunities.
The amount that players receive back from a matched deposit offer depends on the bookmaker and the initial deposit amount. To redeem a lucrative matched deposit offer, create an account with one of the top UK online sportsbooks.
✰☆✰ No Deposit Free Bets ✰☆✰
A classic free bet variation is no deposit free bets. These are rewarded to players without needing to complete an initial deposit, so they are not risking their own funds to receive these free bets. Additionally, players can potentially earn exciting prizes.
To claim a deposit free bet, bettors are often required to simply create an account with a sports betting site and ensure all requirements have been met, such as wagering requirements and entering a promo code. No deposit free bets are commonly offered to new players upon registration.
✰☆✰ Enhanced Odds ✰☆✰
Another standard promotional offer found at the leading sportsbooks recommended by our team is enhanced odds. In this offer, players can receive a boost on the odds of a specific betting market or sports event.
Enhanced odds, also known as odds boosts, are attractive to bettors because they allow players to receive potentially higher returns than would be possible with regular odds. The winnings from enhanced odds offers are often provided as free bets.
✰☆✰ Matched Free Bets ✰☆✰
Matched free bets are promotional offers provided by the bookmaker where they will match the deposit and qualifying bet amount that is placed by the user after registration.
An example is if a customer deposits £10, they could receive £10 back in free bets, depending on the value and terms of the free bet offer. Create your sportsbook account today with one of the best free bet sites to relish these incredible free bet bonuses.
You can find some more information on free bet offers and new customer promotions here.
Top Betting Market Free Bet Offers
Our team has carefully handpicked the leading free bet bonus offers from the leading UK sportsbooks that can be applied to the leading betting markets. Players can check out the following betting market free bet offers if they particularly enjoy a specific betting market. Keep reading to find out more.
⚽ Best Football Free Bets
Our expert’s top pick for football free bets is the incredible William Hill site. This site is a well-established name in the online sports betting industry, so players can expect a wide range of football betting markets and features. Players can also look forward to football free bet offers such as price boosts and bet bundles on games and tournaments.
🐎 Best Horse Racing Free Bets
Our top betting platform for horse racing free bets is Spreadex, a leading brand highly favoured for its huge range of markets and generous new and existing player promotions. Some horse racing free bets that players can expect to find at Spreadex include risk-free bets, loss-back specials and free bets on huge events such as the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot.
🏏 Best Cricket Free Bets
Bettors can find leading cricket free bet opportunities at the incredible NetBet sportsbook. NetBet is a prominent brand within the cricket betting industry, offering several betting opportunities for cricket fans. Users can look forward to in-play free bet promotions and weekly and monthly free bets. Some major cricket events that users can bet on include the Indian Premier League and the Ashes.
Key Terms and Conditions to Look Out For
Like all exciting sportsbook promotions, free bet offers can be subject to terms and conditions that players should be aware of to ensure they understand all requirements to redeem the offer. Not all free bet offers will come with strict requirements, however, players should still know what to look out for. Further detail is provided below.
- Wagering Requirements – Wagering requirements are a common term and condition found on the best free bet offers at leading UK sportsbooks. They refer to the number of times that players are required to wager their winnings before they can withdraw them.
Players often avoid bonuses with high wagering requirements, as this can lead to a potential loss in winnings and be time-consuming. We, therefore, recommend that users always check the wagering requirements before claiming free bets to ensure that they are fair and reasonable.
- Eligible Markets – Another key term to look out for is the eligible betting markets for a free bet offer, which refers to the particular market on which the free bets can be wagered. Therefore, our team recommends claiming a free bet offer that is eligible on markets players prefer and have expertise in regarding wagering.
- Payment Restrictions – Similarly to the above, some free bet bonuses at the leading sports betting sites may restrict the banking options that can be used to access the bonus. This means that if players are required to complete a minimum wager to redeem the offer, they may be limited to specific banking options.
Digital wallets are not commonly accepted for free bet bonuses; however, this is not the case for all sportsbooks. Our team recommends that bettors check the eligible banking options before redeeming a free bet bonus to ensure they can use the payment method they prefer.
- Stake Not Returned – Free bet bonuses will often be stake not returned. This means that players will only receive the winnings back and not the stake as well. An example is if players place a £10 free bet on 2/1, they will receive a return of £20 as the stake is not included in this. The initial stake will go back to the sportsbook that players placed the bet with. Always check the specific terms and conditions for the bonus to find out what is required.
- Time Limits – Bettors may also find that time limits can be present on free bet bonus types, and these should be considered to ensure players have time to adhere to all bonus requirements. The majority of free bet offers will need to be redeemed within a 7-14 day period from the point of bettor registration.
All requirements, including wagering, registration and bonus codes, must be fulfilled within this period. If not, players will not be able to redeem the free bets bonus. Always check the expiry date of your free bet bonus.
Our Experts Best Free Bet Tips & Aspects to Avoid
Before taking advantage of the best UK free bet offers at the leading online sportsbooks recommended above, our team has put together a selection of tips and pitfalls to avoid when claiming excellent free bet offers and enjoying the best betting sites. Further detail is provided below.
- Bet on Markets You Are Familiar With – For the best chance of success when wagering at the best free bet betting sites, our experts recommend that players bet on markets that they are familiar with or have expertise in. This may include understanding past performances of players or teams or understanding technical aspects of the sport. Bettors are more likely to perform better when wagering on a sport that they understand.
- Manage your Bankroll Effectively – The most important tip from our experts when enjoying the best free bet bonuses is to effectively manage your bankroll. Without doing so, bettors may be at risk of potentially losing funds, as well as decreasing their betting time. Bettors can manage their bankroll by ensuring they only bet what they can afford to lose. If users require further help, they should check out responsible gambling features available at the best free bet betting sites. These include deposit limits and time-outs.
- Partake in a Reliable Sportsbook – Instead of diving into the first online sportsbook that you come across, our team recommend to shop around to find a reliable and high-quality platform. All of the best free bet sites recommended within this article have been carefully selected by our industry-lead sports betting experts, so players can rest assured that our recommended brands are highly reliable with features like valid licensing and certification.
- Always Check the T&Cs – Our experts advise that bettors always check key T&Cs before redeeming a free bet offer. The importance of this is to understand all requirements that need to be fulfilled when claiming a free bet offer. Some key terms users should avoid are high wagering requirements, low withdrawal limits and high deposit amounts.
Responsible Gambling
A large priority for our team is ensuring that our valued readers effectively practice responsible gambling so that they enjoy a safe and enjoyable online sports betting experience. Bettors will find a selection of responsible gambling tools at the best free bet sportsbooks to use in times of need.
Some available tools include deposit limits, self-exclusion, time out and self-assessment.
Players looking for further assistance will be pleased to hear that professional online gambling resources are linked to the best bookmakers, where users will find further information if they feel that they have a problem with online sports betting. These resources include:
https://www.gambleaware.org
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are Free Bet Bonuses?
Free bet bonuses are one of the most common bonus types found at the top UK online sportsbooks, and they are highly favoured because players can often redeem free bets without parting ways with their hard-earned cash. Players can potentially earn winnings and prizes from these free bets.
How do I Claim Free Bet Offers?
Redeeming free bet offers is extremely simple, allowing players to enjoy wagering on exciting markets within minutes. Free bet offers can be redeemed by creating an account with one of the top sportsbooks listed above in this article. Players must adhere to all requirements and enter a promo code if required. No deposit is required to claim free bet offers making the process extremely simple.
Are Free Bet Offers Only for New Players?
Bettors will be pleased to hear that not only new customers partaking in the best free bet sportsbooks can claim leading free bet offers. Existing players can also redeem several free bet promotions, such as matched free bets and enhanced odds.
Which Sports Can I Use Free Bets On?
The sports betting markets or events on which players can enjoy their free bets are determined by the terms and conditions of the sportsbook they redeem the free bet bonus from. This is because the bookmaker will specify the eligible markets for those free bets. Always read the T&Cs.
City AM is committed to responsible gambling. Please gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford. To gain help, support and advice for a person struggling with gambling, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. If you are worried about your gambling or that of a friend visit gambleaware.org.