Constant change is one of the main principles of the highly competitive online gambling industry. New betting platforms appear all the time, and in their effort to attract as many punters as they can, operators come up with a wide range of innovations such as bonuses, promotions, and free bets. As it turns out, the best magnet for all players, regardless of their age, sex, and experience, are free bets. But what are they exactly? And how do they work?
Free Bets with Deposit
Here is a list of sportsbooks offering free bets when you make a deposit/place a bet.
| # | Sportsbook | Bonus | Play |
| 1 |  |
Sign Up Bonus€30 in Free Bets on first €10 bet | BET NOW |
| 2 |  |
Rewards Club Offer$5 Free Bet on $50 Wager | BET NOW |
| 3 |  |
Welcome Bonus100% up to €100 + €10 Free Bet | BET NOW |
| 4 |  |
Welcome BonusBet $50 Get $100 Free Bet | BET NOW |
| 5 |  |
Welcome BonusBet $15 Get $10 Free Bet | BET NOW |
How Do We Define a Free Bet?
Some would say a free bet is every gambler’s greatest dream. And, perhaps, they would be right. In short, it is a bet in which your bookmaker pays the stake. They take all the risk on themselves. Should you win, you collect all the profit. In case of a negative outcome, you suffer no loss and may continue your gambling adventure as usual. When it comes to bonuses and promotions, free bets are as good as it gets!
What Betting Sites Offer Free Bets?
Since so many online bettors are after free bets these days, and they often choose their next betting site based on how lucrative its promotions are, all decent operators have free bets in their offer. Even though they are intended primarily for the newcomers, many sportsbooks and online casinos use them as a way to reward their regular players. Now, let’s take a look at some of the most common free bets.
No Deposit Bonus
This is one of the most popular free bets on betting platforms throughout the world. Most sportsbooks offer it to every new player as soon as they create an account. What makes it so popular among punters is that you don’t have to deposit any real money to get it. Depending on the sportsbook you choose, it may come with a set of limitations such as an expiry date, wagering requirements, and other special conditions.
Matched Deposit Promotions
One of the most profitable offers you can come across in the world of online betting is matched deposit bets. Such promotions guarantee that the bookmaker will double any deposit you make, up to a certain amount of money. If you, for example, decide to deposit CA$15, you’ll immediately get another CA$15 as a reward. Consequently, your balance will then be CA$30. The more you deposit, the higher your reward will be.
Cashback Bonuses
Another very popular type of free bets is a cashback bonus or money back special. Sportsbooks offer them to punters whose bet comes second or meets some other predetermined criteria. In other words, the bookmaker will return you some of the money you lost to mitigate the damage. Additional requirements may vary among sportsbooks, and you should learn them before you place your bets.
Welcome Promotions
Many online betting platforms offer a wide variety of welcome bonuses and promotions. To become eligible to claim them, you’ll usually have to make an account and deposit some money. The amount tends to vary greatly depending on the sportsbook you choose and the bookmaker’s current business strategy. Some online sportsbooks have special promotional periods during which their welcome bonuses can be way above the market average.
Other Free Bets
As you probably already know, not all sportsbooks are the same. Some focus on football, basketball and other team sports, while others have a much wider offer that covers everything from tennis and badminton to the US elections. Also, during some tournaments like the FIFA World Cup or the PGA Championship, a whole host of new specialized free bets may appear in their offer. Some of the most popular are:
- Free bets for horse racing
- Free rugby bets
- Free bets for the UEFA Champions League
- Free ice hockey bets
- Free golf bets
How Does a Free Bet Work?
In most cases, all you have to do to get your free bet is follow the link that takes to the bonuses and promotions page. It’s only a few clicks away. Sometimes, you might need to make an account, choose your payment method, and deposit some real money. And, from there, the process remains the same as with any other bet. Remember to always take a peek at the terms and conditions page to make sure there aren’t any special requirements.
Minimum Deposit
Some online sportsbooks require you to deposit before you can claim any of their bonuses and promotions. Minimum deposits vary among bookmakers, and they can go as low as CA$10. In some rare cases, minimum deposits can be as high as CA$1000, but you won’t see many of those on the market these days.
Final Words
Without any doubt, free bets are awesome, and they can help you jump start your betting adventure. Of course, you have to be persistent and find the best ones. Keep in mind that every online betting platform implements a different set of rules and limitations when it comes to bonuses and promotions. If you read them on time, you’ll avoid unpleasant surprises, and you have nothing to worry about. Good luck!
FAQ
Is it possible to profit from a free bet?
Yes, of course. If you meet all the requirements and follow all the rules, making big profits is perfectly possible. In the end, it all comes back to how well-informed and lucky you are.
Why would sportsbooks offer free bets?
There are two main reasons sportsbooks and other online gambling platforms offer free bets. First of all, offering free bets is a part of their strategy to increase the number of new players on their website. Secondly, they want to help rookies learn all the rules. Since beginners are often hesitant, they give them a chance to try all the options before risking any real money.
What are free bet promo codes?
To claim some free bets, you’ll need to provide a so-called promo code. This is a password that usually contains a combination of letters and numbers. If you’re looking for promo codes for one of the prominent online sportsbooks, they shouldn’t be too difficult to find on the web.
Can I Immediately cash out my free bet?
In most cases, you won’t be able to do this. All popular sportsbooks will require you to meet a certain wagering requirement before you can withdraw your winnings.
Author: Tom Wilson
Chief editor and creator, Tom drives the direction of CanadianCasinos.ca with the goal to provide the best and most honest resource for online gambling enthusiasts in Canada