FREE FOOTBALL BET: EVERY PUNTER’S DREAM

Free bet promotions are the bread-and-butter of the online sports betting world. They provide a fantastic opportunity to get started in sports betting with little risk. However, not all free bet promotions are the same. So, to help you choose, we’ve researched and ranked the latest free football bet offers available in the UK sports betting market today.

Almost every online sportsbook offers some kind of sign-up incentive to attract new punters, and these often come in the form of new customer free bets.

Recommended sports betting sites

These are some of the most recommended Sports Betting Sites on the market:

 

We do all the hard work for you, constantly scanning the internet and looking for the best free bet promotions and the top offers.

Finding the Best Deals

While we are always on the lookout for new free bets and the best free football bet offers, we are unable to display them all. We are very particular when it comes to deciding which sportsbooks we recommend. Our selection is the creme de la creme of the UK sports betting scene, so just choose the offer you like most and have a go.

The different types of free bet offers

UK bookmakers have become experts at creating unique-sounding free bet sign-up offers to stand out in a crowded market. However, most of them come in one of a few different varieties.

Stake-Not-Returned

This is the most common free football bet promotion currently offered by bookies in the UK. With a stake-not-returned-free bet, you get to keep any winnings you make, while the stake provided by the betting site is not returned to your account.

One benefit of choosing a stake-not-returned-free bet is that they often come with less restrictive terms than the rarer stake-returned. The latter often carries conditions as to what bets you can make or requires you to meet specific wagering requirements before withdrawing your winnings.

Stake-Returned 

As you might have guessed, stake-returned free bets return both your winnings and the original free stake. If you’re lucky enough to find one in today’s market, it’s definitely worth considering. Just make sure you take a close look at the terms and conditions so you’re aware of any betting restrictions or wagering requirements before committing to a free bet bookie.

Bet Match / Matched 

If you took a moment to review our rankings table above, you probably noticed that many sports betting sites describe their free football bet promotions as “matched” bets. Usually, these start from 100% matched and go up from there. This offer usually requires you to deposit and make a bet using your funds before your account is credited with the matched free bet. Although matched bets are expressed as a percentage, there will usually be a fixed upper limit. Sometimes you’ll be able to use your new free football bet however you please, perhaps dividing it into smaller wagers if you wish. Other times, you’ll be required to make a single stake.

Deposit Match 

Deposit matches are similar to the above. In this case, however, the free football bet you receive is tied to the first deposit you make with the bookmaker instead of the amount of your first bet.

No-Lose Bets

Sounds good, right? It can be. This bonus gives you the ultimate protection that you’ll get your stake refunded if your bet loses. The drawback of no-lose bets is that you can only enjoy this lovely freebie if your first bet loses. Unlike the previously mentioned varieties, this type of free football bet is not given to you whether you win or lose. Your final return is based on the amount lost and up to a specified maximum amount set by the bookie.

Small Print

New free bets, free football bet offers and practically all types of free bet promotions are influenced by the small print, so make sure you completely understand the terms before committing to one.

Payment Methods

A good bookie will offer a range of reliable payment methods. However, having a good set of banking options doesn’t necessarily equate to a fair and generous bonus. In an effort to prevent fraudulent behaviour or bonus abuse, many free football bets will exclude e-wallet payments, particularly those made via Neteller or Skrill.

It’s vital to check the T&Cs for any small print on payment methods before claiming a bonus. If you deposit with an excluded banking method, the sportsbook may refuse to honour the promo and also refuse to issue a refund.

Expiry Date

Most bonuses come with an expiry date. You will need to activate your bonus and complete any wagering requirements before this date. Once the expiry date hits, your bonus (if not used up) will be cancelled. Make sure you don’t get caught out, as many free bet promotions will sneak in a short expiry window.

Odds

Most new free bets will come with specific odds requirements. Say, for example, you take William Hill’s offer to bet £10 and get £30 in free bets. If you look closely at the T&Cs, you’ll see that you must place a minimum bet of £10 on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater. If you place a bet that doesn’t meet the sportsbook’s requirements, it will use your real money bankroll rather than your free bet bonus.

Markets Covered

While there are free bet promotions for specific markets like football and greyhound racing, some free bet promotions will look like general offers but have hidden restrictions on the markets they cover. You might claim a free bet welcome bonus with the intention of betting on tennis, only to find that it only applies to horse racing events. Be sure to look for this when searching for new free bets.

Wagering Requirements

Wagering requirements specify how often you have to bet the bonus amount before withdrawing it. Sometimes this includes both the bonus and the deposit amount, so watch out for that. Obviously, the fewer times, the better.  Make sure to pick a promo with fair wagering requirements, otherwise you may not fulfil them by the time the bonus expires.

Availability of Free Bets

Although not impossible to find, no deposit bonuses are much rarer and come along more infrequently than deposit bonuses. However, they are certainly worth shopping around for. When it comes to selecting a UK sportsbook, It’s always worthwhile to try before you buy – you never know what bonuses are waiting for you around the corner.

The Best Way to Use a Free Football Bet

How you choose to use your free bet once it’s in your account is entirely up to you. It’s almost certain that you won’t be able to simply withdraw it and will indeed have to place a bet.

So, the question is: Do you treat it as free money and place it all on a fanciful longshot, or do you bet on something with shorter odds to increase your chances of receiving a return?

There’s no definitive answer to this question, but a quick internet search will turn up plenty of theories and strategies for maximising its value. Some tactics involve betting with high odds since you are not losing any real money, while others suggest backing a free bet and then laying it on another site. However you decide to use your free football bet, it’s a good idea to do some research beforehand.

Online Free Bets Round-Up

It’s worth remembering that there’s a lot more to choosing a good bookie than the generosity of its new free bet sign-up offer. You’ll need to consider the markets and odds on offer, its markup, the deposit and withdrawal reliability and customer service.

At Playright, we only review and rank the very best free bet promotions and bookmakers around, so you know that the offers you see on this site come only from the most reputable betting sites.