What betting sites give free bets without a deposit? Few bookmakers hand out free bets for nothing, but you can earn free bets by entering free-to-play prediction games on Bet365, BetVictor, NetBet, Betway, Betfred, Ladbrokes, Coral and BetMGM. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Refer a friend scheme unlocked after using your own welcome offer
Exclusive higher odds for newly registered users
Guaranteed profit boost on your first five bets
Free-to-play prediction game with a cash prize for new joiners
Donation to a charity partner made upon your first bet placement

We aim to offer every online gambler and reader of The Independent a safe and fair platform through unbiased reviews and offers from the UK’s best online gambling companies.

What is a risk-free bet?

What does money back in free bets mean? This means you can get a refund on your stake, but not as withdrawable cash - only as a free bet, meaning you have to stake the same cash again on a different bet. What is the best betting sign up offer available now? In the Independent’s view, Coral provides the best betting sign up offer on the market at present. New customers need only sign up and deposit £5 before betting £5 on any sports market with odds of 1/2 or greater to unlock £30 in free bets. Gambling can be addictive, always play responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose.

No deposit free bet simply for verifying your account
Free spins bundled with sportsbook offer for new customers
Risk-free first bet up to a specified maximum amount
Matched first deposit bonus up to 100%
Bet credits instead of traditional free bets

Gambling sites have a number of tools to assist you to stay in control, including deposit limits and time outs.

Can existing customers get free bets?

Remember that cashing out a qualifying bet often voids eligibility for the offer. Some free bets also cannot be used on in-play markets. These exclusions are commonly hidden in the T&Cs, so avoid cashing out unless you’re sure it won’t affect the promotion. Wagering is uncommon on free bets, but it is not unheard of. Some promotions attach extra conditions to winnings or follow-on bonuses instead.

Is it safe to claim free bet offers online?

Offers requiring winnings to be wagered multiple times reduce real value, while simpler “bet and get” free bets are usually the safest option. Before a bookmaker makes our list of free bet offers, they must meet key criteria to ensure a high-quality betting experience. Only sites with a valid UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence are considered on our list of recommended operators. The UKGC ensures fair play and consumer protection, working alongside independent testing agencies like eCOGRA. If a bookmaker isn’t regulated, it’s not safe – anyone can verify a licence via the UKGC register.

Unibet – £50 Welcome Offer

Every bookmaker we recommend must implement high-quality security measures such as SSL encryption and two-factor authentication to protect customer data. Reputation also plays a role – established brands like Betfred, William Hill 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. 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 bet sign up bonus sites user app reviews from the Apple and Google Play stores. The customer experience is equally crucial – we rigorously test bookmaker support channels, favouring those that provide fast, effective resolutions. If you think you have a problem, advice and support is available for you now from BeGambleAware or Gamcare.

Offer Type	Description	Typical Stake Requirement	Winnings Paid As
Bet £10 Get £30	Place a qualifying bet, receive free bets	Min £10 at odds of 1.8+	3x £10 Free Bets
Risk-Free Bet	If first bet loses, get refund as free bet	Varies, often £20	Free Bet Token
Deposit Match	Get a percentage of deposit as free bet	Min Deposit £10	Free Bet up to £50
Enhanced Odds	Specially boosted price for a new account	Small stake, e.g., £1	Cash

Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.

Mobile app exclusive welcome bonus for downloading the application
Enhanced welcome offer for using e-wallet deposits like PayPal
Free racing live stream access after claiming the sign-up offer
Virtual sports betting token included in the new customer package

Best Betting Sites to get a Risk Free Bonus Which Bookmakers Offer a Risk Free Bonus on Sports?

Term	Typical Requirement	Example
Minimum Odds	Qualifying bet must be placed at or above specified odds	1.80 (4/5) or greater
Validity Period	Time to use the free bet after it is credited	7 days from issue
Wagering Requirement	Number of times bonus must be turned over	1x on sports (for free bets)
Eligible Sports	Markets where the offer can be used	All sports, sometimes excludes certain markets
Payment Restrictions	Minimum deposit and eligible payment methods	Min £10, Skrill/Neteller often excluded

Which Betting Sites offer a Risk Free Bonus in the UK? A “risk free” bet is a type of free bet offered by online betting sites to new customers.

Bookmaker	Enhanced Offer	Max Stake	Potential Win Example
Betfair	100/1 for a team to score	£1	£101 from £1
Sky Bet	Player to score 2+ goals at 50/1	£1	£51 from £1
Unibet	Treble enhanced to 10/1	£10	£110 from £10

It generally works by opening a new account with a bookmaker and placing a sports bet for the first time.

Horse Racing Free Bets

You’re spoiled for choice, and better yet, there are no restrictions where you can use your bonus. In addition, the seven-day expiry gives plenty of time to use the bonus, meaning the free bet club offers huge flexibility. After the qualifying bets have settled, Virgin Bet pays out the £5 free acca bet into your account and to activate the free bet offer, simply use the toggle on your bet slip to use up the credits. Below, we’ve provided some detail on common traps that users can fall into when claiming free bets: Not all free bet offers return the original stake if your bet wins. For example, a £10 free bet at 3/1 pays £30 profit, not £40; always factor this in when comparing headline free bet amounts.

NEW Boylesports — Bet £10 get £40

Free bets usually expire within 5-7 days of being credited, and occasionally less. Unused free bets are removed automatically once they expire, so casual or infrequent bettors can lose value this way. Remember to always check the expiry date as soon as the free bet is added. Some free bets are limited to certain types of use. For example, some are football bet builders only, accumulator bets or bets fixed to specific sports, leagues or events.

Betting Sites that withdraw their New Customer Offers for the Grand National

These restrictions reduce flexibility and can increase risk. Bet builder-only free bets often require multiple selections to win, meaning long odds, and it is the same with accas. Remember to check eligible markets before placing your qualifying bet. Betting offers may require minimum odds on either the qualifying bet or the free bet itself, and sometimes both. Higher odds thresholds can push bettors toward riskier selections, while a smaller free bet with low odds requirements can offer better value. If that first bet loses, the player will either receive their stake back as cash or be credited with a bonus bet to the same value of their first wager.

Special welcome offer for casino and sportsbook combo
Free bet for live betting markets on your first day
Loyalty points earned from your first qualifying bet
Early payout offer on specific leagues for new customers

Risk free bets allow you to get your stake back – either as cash but more often as a free bet – should your first bet with a bookmaker lose.

⬇︎ UK Casino Offers ⬇︎

The offer provides £20 in Tote Credit for horse racing – which is ideal for pools, exotics, and Tote-only markets – as well as £10 in free bets to use on the sportsbook, offering plenty of flexibility for new customers. The qualifying bet simply need to be a £10 wager on any sport (with some exclusions, though win, place, or pool bets all count) at odds of evens or greater, and winnings are fully withdrawable, with Tote Credit profits available to be cashed out, keeping risk low. Tote also guarantee boosts payouts paid at SP or better, adding an extra upside for horse racing bettors and making Tote the best choice among horse racing betting sites. Bet365 have recently launched its moneyback specials across a number of sports, including football and horse racing, as well as a range of major events. Customers can wager up to £10 and will receive their stake back in free bets if their bet fails.

Horse Racing

The system is simple for claiming the betting offer, with users ticking the ‘Money Back As Free Bets’ box on their bet slip to qualify. Free bets are usually credited within a matter of hours, but it can take up to 24 hours. Free bet credits can be used anywhere on one of the best betting sites in the business with no limit on where and how your credits can be spent. Bet365 moneyback specials are most common on football, and notably the Premier League where the highlight games of the week are covered with a moneyback special notably on Saturday and Sunday evenings, although Champions League and Europa League midweek games have also featured this betting offer. The nuts and bolts of the requirements are as follows.

1. Parimatch – Bet and Get Free Bets Offer

Customers must place a qualifying bet builder on the eligible game or event, with bet builders needing only evens (2.0) or higher odds. Bet365 also attaches its Sub Play On feature on football bet builders in conjunction with the moneyback special, which keeps bets alive even if a player is subbed. Existing customers can use the weekly Virgin Bet rewards club to claim £5 in free bets for placing qualifying accas. 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, making these qualifying stakes smaller than most rival free bet clubs. Virgin Bet have an extremely low minimum odds requirement to use your free bet at 1/100. These offers are usually for new customers and require you to place a bet using your own money.

Why Choose A New Betting Site

Ultimately, our rankings focus on the quality of the free bet offers, but we also take into account matters including odds restrictions, timeframe to both unlock free bet offers and use your bonus funds, wagering requirements and available payment methods. Operators that provide valuable betting sign up offers, competitive terms, and ongoing free bet promotions for returning customers get the highest ratings. 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. Even free bets still involve a level of risk.

Free Bets On Football ⚽️

The same applies if you’re using new online casinos, 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: In most cases, bookmakers will not allow punters to cash out a free bet before the bet has run its course, so you will likely have to wait for your bet to settle before receiving any winnings. A money back free bet gives you the opportunity to try out a new bookmaker and place a first bet knowing that if it loses, you’ll receive the stake back. If you join a new betting site and then deposit and place your first bet, you’ll either receive your winnings if the bet wins, or you’ll get your stake back if the bet loses. The majority of well-known betting sites offer some form of free bet when you join them. The amounts of money on offer can vary from bookie to bookie, as can the bonus type, but as a general rule, bookmakers will usually match either your first bet or your first deposit with a bonus bet of equal value.

Bet £10 Get £40