Free Bets Explained

Free bets are promotional offers that allow you to place a bet without risking your own money. They are common in both online casinos (as free spins or bonus credit) and sportsbooks (as free sports bets). This guide focuses on free bets as they appear in UK-licensed casino and sportsbook environments.

How Free Bets Work in Casinos

In a casino context, a free bet often takes the form of bonus credit or free spins. For example:

Free spins on a specific slot game (e.g., "50 Cash Spins on Big Bass Splash")
Bonus credit awarded after a qualifying deposit (e.g., "100% match bonus up to £100")
No-deposit free spins awarded at registration (see our Cash Spins No Deposit guide)

Stake Not Returned

Most free bets are "stake not returned" (SNR). This means when you win using a free bet, you receive the winnings but not the original stake. Some offers are "stake returned" (SR), which return both the winnings and the stake — these are less common.

Qualifying Bets

Many free bet offers require a qualifying bet first. For example, a "Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets" offer requires you to place a £10 real-money bet before the free bet is credited. This is different from a no-deposit free spins offer, which requires no initial payment.

Wagering on Free Bet Winnings

Winnings from free bets are almost always subject to wagering requirements. Check the bonus terms for:

The wagering multiplier (e.g., 35x winnings)
Game contribution percentages
Maximum cashout limit
Time limit to use the free bet and meet wagering

UKGC Regulation

The UK Gambling Commission mandates clear, fair presentation of all free bet terms. Since the 2020 LCCP changes, terms like "winning capped at £X" must be prominently displayed.