Skip to Main Content

The Best Betting SitesFor Punters Who Want More

betting > bookmakers online free


Following your first or 'qualifying' real money bet, you will be awarded the free bet by the bookmaker. This is where the profit is made.

  • Risk-free bet promotions where stakes are returned as a free bet if the bet loses.
  • Free bets for specific payment method use, like using PayPal or Skrill.
  • Season-long predictor games for leagues like the Premier League with free entry.
  • Free bet offers tied to watching a live stream on the bookmaker's site.
  • Birthday free bets awarded to members of a loyalty program.

Quite simply, you repeat the process: bet using the free bet and then lay the bet.

Best exchange betting sites

According to the UKGC, there were 175 active betting sites in the UK. However, this figure was announced in April 2023, which is now likely closer to 200. Yes, most betting sites offer online casino games alongside their sportsbooks. These tend to come with bonuses and have their own devoted section. When choosing your UK betting site, you should always choose one that is licensed and regulated to offset any risk.

4. NRG Sports (Launched in August 2024)

Rewrite in a better way: The best betting sites are up to the interpretation of the punter and their needs. After evaluating 43 bookmakers, our team found that bet365 stands out as the best choice. The UK’s online bookmakers offer a wider selection of features, including exchange betting sites, free-to-play games, enhanced odds & price boosts, live streaming of major sporting events and more. Depending on what you’re looking for from an online sports betting site, we’ll guide you through the best options on this page. To verify your betting account, you will need to send in documents to prove your name, date of birth and address, such as a passport, driving license or utility bill.

What gambling app gives free bets?

Gambling is a mixture between skill and luck, researching your bets will improve your probability to win, however, sports betting results are outside of your control. Most importantly, gambling should always be fun and if you find that it isn’t fun for you and need help, then make sure you head over to for help and support. The available options should include debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, pre-paid cards and mobile payment methods. Spread betting does not depend on a win or lose outcome like a traditional bet. Instead, spread betting is determined by the accuracy of a specific prediction. Whatever the result you will be in profit (which I'll be demonstrating below). For each matched bet, you can typically expect to extract 50-80% of the free bet amount as profit. This is because betting exchanges usually charge a commission on winnings. You may also make a small loss on the qualifying bet due to the minor difference in odds on each website. This is normal, and you will recoup this when you use the free bet.

Meet Our Writers

But I have made a good amount of money from bookmakers, without gambling, using a technique called matched betting. The result is this guide, where I'll share the exact steps with you too. It includes screenshots and a free oddsmatcher tool. What I'm teaching you here is a completely legal, tried-and-tested method called 'matched betting'. Matched betting allows you to turn the tables on the bookmakers to extract their free bet offers.

Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets & Fantasy Tickets

Matched betting is legal and a spokesperson for William Hill has indicated the betting industry does not have a problem with this use of free bets – Wikipedia I've used it myself for several years and have never lost any money doing it. But I have taken my time and been very careful to avoid making mistakes. Make sure you understand it 100% before depositing any money, and please ask any questions if unsure of anything. I'll be taking you through the 'need-to-knows' then showing you how I made £17.44 in 20 minutes in a full-blown example. Matched betting is a technique that mathematically generates a profit from free bet promotions offered by betting companies.

Free Bet Credit

Almost all bookmakers advertise these offers to entice new customers to place bets with them. For example, "bet £25 with us and we'll give you a £25 free bet!". We have a list of the best ones at the end of this guide. Firstly, you don't need to know all the betting terminology if you follow the steps below. But it's important you know two types of bet which allow matched betting to work: Betting for a certain outcome to come true. In the steps below I'll show you how to profit from a £30 free bet using a real-life example. Replicate the same steps across the dozens of free bet offers each year, and you can quickly be looking at £100s (depending on how much time and effort you put in).

  • Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets - a common UK welcome promotion.
  • Free bet tokens awarded as part of a sign-up bundle or loyalty scheme.
  • Enhanced odds offers on selected events, effectively giving extra value for free.
  • Early payout promotions on certain markets, securing a win before the event ends.
  • Acca insurance refunding a free bet if one leg of an accumulator fails.

Earnings from the gambling industry are currently tax-free.

Placing the free bet

"I bet England will not win" is a lay bet. If they lose or draw, you win the bet. You can only place a lay bet at a betting exchange such as Smarkets. Matched betting works by cancelling out the risk on the 'back' bet at the online bookies by betting against yourself at the same odds (know as 'laying' a bet) at a betting exchange. In other words, you are 'matching' your bet. Whilst you can make a good amount of money from matched betting, for most people it's not going to replace a job. Anyone can learn how to do matched betting and, in theory, there is no risk involved because you are covering yourself by betting for and against the same event.

1. Sky Bet: Lowest qualifying free bet offer in the UK

The more a particular event happens that you place a spread bet on, the more you stand to win. In many ways, spread betting works like a financial market in that you “buy” more of the spreads you think will win and “sell” any you believe will lose. It is very rare for bookmakers to charge withdrawal or deposit fees anymore. Indeed, it is now possible to withdraw smaller amounts than ever before, which is perfect for those who like to bet with low stakes. You can do little once a betting site bans you from using its services.

VicBet Australia

However, that does not mean you cannot open a new customer account with a different site and continue betting elsewhere. Opening a new customer account with almost every betting site is incredibly straightforward. Simply click on any of the links on this page or around our site and follow the instructions to create a new account, Once you’ve put in some details, your account will open up immediately. The accuracy of odds is a somewhat subjective subject, but betting exchanges sites like Betfair are most likely to give you accurate odds, because there will be no overround or ‘vig’ applied to give the bookmaker an edge. Most betting sites will not allow you to deposit using cryptocurrencies, but you can fund certain e-wallet accounts, like Neteller, with crypto and then use that account to deposit.

BetReal Australia

Simply put, betting sites will typically ban bettors they suspect of ‘arbing’. They have means bet best betting app offers free of detecting arbitrage in sports betting, although they cannot return any winnings from successful arbers. Odds on an event can change before the event has started, either because of team or event information, or because of line movement. This will have an effect on your cash out value. Now, I'm not a gambler by any means. However the risk comes when mistakes are made. So you need to double-check everything and follow the steps exactly.

Tool Name Purpose Access Provider Example
Odds Calculator Calculate potential returns Free on website/app Pinnacle
Live Streaming Watch events in real-time With funded account or bet Bet365
Bet Builder Create custom markets Free to use Sky Bet
Stats Centre Access team/player data Free on website Stats Perform

On rare occasions free bets do not always come through right away, so be patient and always abide by the promotion's terms. Once you've understood the process and successfully followed the steps below, you can continue matched betting at other online bookies with free bet offers (see my table at end) which can help you earn extra money.

Betting bonuses

If time limits aren’t on offer at your betting site, head over to GAMSTOP to limit your gambling activity at UK betting sites. Only bet on familiar sports & markets – A random flutter on a race you know nothing about is almost never a good idea, and encourages bad gambling habits. Plus, gambling is far more enjoyable when you are invested in the action. Regularly review your gambling activity – It is important to regularly check your profit/loss activity on your gambling accounts. If you’ve been losing too much, it is probably time for a break.

8. BetMGM – Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets

Keep an eye out for bonuses, and use them wisely – Betting sites are getting increasingly generous with their free bets and promos, and these days it is possible to enjoy your gambling without having to spend too much of your own money. However, every free bet is an opportunity to win real cash, so don’t throw them away! Make the most of betting site features – Live streaming allows you to keep a close eye on the action, whilst cashing out is a great opportunity to recover some losses if you think things might not go your way. Contact responsible gambling organisations – If you think you or someone close to you is showing signs of addiction or problem gambling, there are a number of different charitable organisations and resources that can help, such as GambleAware, GamCare, or the UKGC website. If you win a bet against the bookmaker, they will pay out your winnings.

Money Back Offers

However, if they have lost or cancelled your bet, they might deny your winnings. This is unusual, though, and you can always contact customer service or report them to IBAS. If a bookmaker fails to pay you your money after a successful bet, you should first check that they have a UKGC licence, then contact their customer support. If no solution is found, you should report the bookie to IBAS, and take legal action if they fail to rule in your favour. It is always a good idea to keep an independent record of your bets and spending to help your case should any issues arise. It's also worth knowing that depositing at gambling websites does not affect your credit rating. Note: This is literally a step-by-step, hold-your-hand kind of guide. There's lots of fragmented information out there on forums etc, which often results in costly mistakes for novices. Below I outline exactly the steps I follow, using the practical example of one free bet.

  • Free odds movement graphs and market trend analysis tools.
  • Free bets as compensation for website downtime or technical errors.
  • Free access to premium tipster selections during trial periods.
  • Free bet reload offers for existing customers on weekends.
  • Free "bet builder" tools for creating custom football markets.
  • Free entry into poker tournaments with a sportsbook account.
  • Community forums run by bookmakers where free tips are shared.

So long as you follow word for word, you can't go wrong. I strongly suggest reading through all the steps first before making any bets.

Get the Latest Free Bets

"I bet England will win" is a backing bet. If it comes true, you win the bet and the winnings. If England lose or draw, you lose your stake. You can place a back bet at any bookmaker, such as Paddy Power, William Hill, Betfred etc. Betting against a certain outcome to come true. You'll also find using a desktop computer far easier than on mobile. Open a Smarkets account Smarkets is a betting exchange where you can 'lay' bets to match against 'back' bets at bookmakers.

  • Refer-a-friend schemes where both parties receive free bet credit.
  • Daily price boosts on selected outcomes, offering free enhanced value.
  • Weekly free bet giveaways through social media competitions.
  • Loyalty clubs that grant free bets based on betting volume.

STAY CONNECTED: 

Blue Sky social

Connect your way - Stay informed

Stay connected with News, Action items and Happenings

linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram