What to look for in free bets: It’s not what you might think
Most bettors look at the size of a free bet and nothing else, which is a common mistake. Sure, the big numbers are nice. But trust me – there’s much more to it than that. If you’ve read my
responsible gambling guide, you’ll know that it’s important to fully understand the terms and conditions involved. Here are the main ones to look out for:
- Wagering requirements:
Oh boy, this one’s a biggie. Some free bet promotions come with such high wagering requirements that they’re simply not worth claiming. Ideally, free bets should come with zero wagering requirements. That means if you win, the winnings are all yours to keep – no strings attached.
- Minimum odds:
This one’s easy to miss, but super important. High minimum odds can really slim down your chances of winning. Because of this, it’s best to look for free bets with low minimum odds limits. This gives you the freedom to bet on the favorites or underdogs – your call.
- Eligible markets:
Imagine grabbing a free NFL bet when you’re looking to bet on the NBA – that’s not ideal. Because of this, be sure to check that the free bets can be used on sports that you’re actually interested in.
- Time limits:
Time limits on free bets can be anything from a few hours to a whole month. Because of this, you definitely want to check this and make sure you have enough time to place your preferred wagers. You don’t want to claim a free sports bet with a 24-hour time limit only to realize that there’s nothing to bet on within the next day. Timing is everything!
Top tips on how to find free bets
Free bets are like the hidden gems of sportsbook promos. They’re notoriously difficult to find, but it’s not impossible. Here are the best ways to consistently find them.
Check my top picks
Finding free bets can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. And when you do find them, you’ve got to play detective to figure out if the terms and conditions are actually fair. Here’s a shortcut: have a look at my top picks. I’ve done the legwork and picked out the cream of the crop. These sites aren’t just legit and trustworthy, they also offer some of the best free bets that I’ve seen.
Say ‘Yes’ to marketing notifications
When you sign up for a sportsbook account, you’ll get the option to opt into marketing updates. I know, I know, who wants more emails, right? But trust me on this – it’s a smart move. Many of my recommended sites on this page send out exclusive bonuses and free bets directly to your inbox. So, by saying ‘yes’ to updates, you’re opening the door to some additional free bet opportunities that might otherwise slip by unnoticed.
Join a loyalty program
You might think the best strategy is to use
betting calculators and hop from one sportsbook to another, claiming those free bets given to new players. That’s not a bad move, but there’s a smarter play. The best sportsbooks out there aren’t just about rewarding new players; they know how to treat their regulars like royalty.
By sticking with a sportsbook that rewards you for your loyalty, such as BetMGM or DraftKings, you’ll be much better off as a regular player. This is because you can access exclusive free bet bonuses and benefits that you’d otherwise miss. So, think long-term. Picking the right sportsbook with a killer loyalty program means more free bets over time, plus a whole bunch of other cool perks.
Our top picks – October 2024
1.
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
2.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
3.
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
+ Boost or Bonus every day in the Summer
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $10
4.
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit
5.
Second chance bet: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
The best sportsbooks with free bets
I’ve tried and tested all the top betting sites with free bets and narrowed it down to the cream of the crop: BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Bet365, and Caesars. These are all fully licensed, totally trustworthy, and they’re dishing out some of the best free bet offers you’ll find anywhere. Let’s dive into how you can get your hands on some free bets at each of these sportsbooks.
| Sportsbook | Free bets |
| BetMGM | Get $158 in free bets for a $5 bet |
| DraftKings | Regular free bets with no wagering |
| FanDuel | $200 in free bets with a $10 deposit |
| Bet365 | Regular free bets with no wagering |
| Caesars | Up to $1,000 free bet if your first bet loses |
BetMGM
- Get free bets, win or lose
- New promos added regularly
- Exclusive deals for email subscribers
- Some free bets don’t last long
BetMGM has some of the
best sportsbook promotions available all year, including free bets. For example, with their new customer betting offer, you can get $158 in free bets just by betting $5. The cool part? You get the free bet whether you win or lose that first bet.
Also, keep an eye on their promotions page – they add new free bets there pretty often. And if you really want to maximize your bonus opportunities, be sure to sign up for their marketing emails. They’ll let you know about new deals, and sometimes they send special offers just to email subscribers that you won’t find anywhere else.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
DraftKings
- Free bets are available year-round
- Get free bets, win or lose
- Apply free bets from your bet slip
- A deposit is usually required
To claim free bets at DraftKings, check out their Promos page for bonuses and deals all year round. To activate a free bet, you usually need to first place a bet with your own money. Then, you will often be awarded a free bet regardless of whether the bet settles at a win or loss.
After you get a free bet, you can find it in the Rewards section of your account, under My Rewards. And then when you’re ready to use one, just hit the Bet Now button, and it’ll take you to where you can place your bet. Alternatively, you can also find your available free bets in your bet slip – just open it and click “Apply Bonus” to use your free bet.
Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets and 1 month of NFL+ Premium on us!
FanDuel
- Keep your winnings from free bets
- Frequent free bet drops all year
- Easy to claim and use
- Get free bets after signing up
- Free bets can expire quickly
FanDuel is famous for its awesome bonuses and promotions, especially the free bets. Also known as bonus bets, these free bets let you bet on sports without using your cash. The cool thing? You get to keep any winnings. Your first chance for a free bet at FanDuel is with their free betting signup offer. Just deposit $10, place a $5 bet, and if you win, you get $200 in free bets.
But wait, there’s more: FanDuel also drops free bets in your account and adds them to their promotions page throughout the year. These offers usually have a limited time to use, so it’s a good idea to regularly check your account and the promotions page.
When it comes to using your free bet, the process is easy: open your bet slip, click “Add a Bonus Bet”, and choose from any you have. When you pick one, the eligible stake amount automatically fills in, making it super user-friendly and reducing the chance of mistakes.
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
Bet365
- No wagering requirements
- Withdraw your free bet winnings
- Fair terms and conditions
- Limited time to use the bonuses
Bet365 offers some awesome free bet bonuses that let you bet without using your own money. The best part? There are none of those pesky wagering requirements. If you win after you bet with a free bet, the money goes straight to your withdrawable balance.
To see if you’ve got any free bets, log into your account and hit Services, then “My Offers”. There, you’ll find all the free bet offers and their full details. Once you claim a free bet, you’ll see it in your bonus balance.
Most free bets at Bet365 need to be used within seven days of getting them. Using them is easy: pick an eligible bet, enter your wager, and select “Use Bonus Bets” on your bet slip. After placing your bet, you can track it in your account history or the My Bets section.
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Caesars
- Free bets up to $1,000 as a newbie
- Trusted, industry-leading sportsbook
- Ongoing free bets throughout the year
- Easy to use free bets via your bet slip
- Winnings exclude the original stake
If you want to sign up for free bets at an industry-leading sportsbook that’s widely recognized and highly trustworthy, it doesn’t get much better than Caesars. When you first sign up for an account, you can claim a free bet up to $1,000 if your first bet loses. In addition to this, there are many free bets made available throughout the year.
These are all bonuses that are awarded in the form of sports betting free play credit. When you claim a free bet, it will appear in your bet slip and will be eligible to be used either on all markets or limited to specific sports and bet types. This will ultimately depend on the specific terms for each one.
However, one thing each free bet shares in common at Caesars is that the winnings from a free bet do not include the stake, it will only include the winnings. This is the case for pretty much every free bet bonus out there, not just at Caesars. So don’t let this put you off because the free bet bonuses here are seriously impressive.
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
My final thoughts on free bets
Free bets are some of the best bonuses out there – they’re low-risk and usually have little to no wagering requirements. Even though they can be a bit tricky to find, they’re definitely out there.
Just sign up with any of the top picks on this page – like BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Bet365, or Caesars – and you’ll find loads of ways to grab free bets. Want to take things a step further? Sign up for their marketing emails and join loyalty programs where possible. That’s your ticket to getting even more free bets that you won’t find elsewhere.
Our favorite sportsbooks
1.
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Players from Virginia accepted
Bet now
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
2.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Players from Virginia accepted
3.
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
+ Boost or Bonus every day in the Summer
Players from Virginia accepted
4.
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Players from Virginia accepted
5.
Second chance bet: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Free bets FAQ
🎯How can I find free bets?
If you’ve had a chance to explore our page on
sports betting bonus types explained, you’re already aware that free bets are among the best bonuses available. However, finding these deals can be a bit like hunting for treasure. But don’t worry – this treasure is easy to find with a little bit of help. I’ve created a list of the best betting sites with free bets, making it easy for you to find these hidden gems.
🤔Are free bets actually free?
Some free bets can be claimed without making a deposit, but many require you to place an eligible bet first. So while they’re not always “free” to claim, they’re definitely free to use. The beauty is that once you’ve claimed a free bet, it’s like having bonus credit in your account. You can use it to place bets without dipping into your real money balance, and any winnings you get to keep.
🎁How do I qualify for a free bet?
Qualifying for a free bet can be as easy as signing up for a new account, placing a certain type of bet, or betting a specific amount. The eligibility criteria will ultimately vary from one bonus to the next, so it’s important to check the terms and conditions to see what’s expected.
🔐Are there any restrictions on free bets?
Just like any sportsbook bonus, free bets come with terms and conditions to be aware of. This not only includes key details like wagering requirements and minimum deposit amounts but also restrictions on bet types, odds limits, and time limits. The best way to go about things is to choose free bets with terms that are not too restrictive.
