Let's take a closer look at the types of bookmaker offers and free bets you can expect to find when looking to open a new account online. With lots of different terms being used, understanding bookmaker sign up offers can be difficult. Here is a guide to some of those terms and what they mean.

These are typically where the amount of your first deposit is used as the qualifying amount of the deposit bonus. Many people call these free bets matched deposit but really they are deposit bonuses, so you receive more funds in your account which you can then use for betting, as opposed to receiving a free bet token.

They're often based on your first deposit amount, not just free bets. Deposit £50, get £50 more! But remember, turnover requirements can be high, so bet wisely! Normally turnover requirements are added to the terms of these offers and these can be quite onerous.

We have seen as high as 15x turnover requirements on deposit amount and bonus amount. So on a £50 deposit that could mean, £ would have to be wagered before any funds can be withdrawn. So read the terms and conditions of these bookmaker offers thoroughly. You shouldn't change your betting patterns to obtain specific offers so it may be that you dont want to claim the full maximum deposit bonus as to withdraw, it may mean you need to be more than you normally would want to.

That is not sensible or responsible gambling. For those who typically bet larger amounts though, deposit matches can be a good way to gain extra funds for your betting bank. Examples of free bets matched deposit include.

Cash Back offers, another name for deposit bonuses, can seem enticing but be sure to read the fine print! While they may not provide immediate cash withdrawals, they can be advantageous when offered by betting exchanges or spread betting companies.

Another name for deposit bonus offers but the term cash back may be misleading as it is unlikely you will receive any cash which is immediately allowed to be withdrawn with this form of offer. However sometimes these can be very good offers, for example when a betting exchange or spread betting company offers such an incentive.

With these offers, as ever, it is really important to understand the full terms and conditions. Examples of cash back welcome offers are.

Make the most of Matched Free Bets! But an 'up to £25' deal could match your £5 bet with a £5 free bet. Matched free bets are typically on the first bet placed and are sometimes referred to as free bet matched stake offers.

So when you open a new betting account make sure that you are aware of the welcome offer terms and conditions. Your first bet is often the qualifying bet for the offer, so if for example the welcome offer is bet £25 get £25 free bet and you make your first bet £5, you would not qualify.

Sometimes though the headline amount is the maximum, so the offer may be bet up to £25 and get your first bet matched up to £ So in that example a £5 bet may get a £5 free bet.

You also need to look out for other qualifying terms though. Matched free bets also explain multiples of free bets higher than the initial stake. Examples of matched free bets include.

Fortunately there are stricter rules in place now as to when a bookmaker may and may not call a welcome offer risk free. These are rare offers as normally there is a risk involved in depositing and making a qualifying bet in order to be able to claim a free bet.

The free bet you get after qualifying for it may well be risk free, but you would have needed to take a risk with your first bet.

So you may see these promoted as, say Bet £10, Get a £10 risk free bet. Remember though, you are taking a risk with your first £10 bet which of course you can lose. Risk-free bets sound enticing, right? Remember, there's still a risk with your qualifying bet!

Bet £10, Get £10 risk-free may sound good, but your initial £10 can still be lost. Stay informed, bet smart!

Another version of this may be a no deposit free bet. You are more likely to find no deposit offers for slots or casino, sometimes referred to as free spins. Keep in mind though there are often many terms applied to these, such as the maximum you can win, how many times you need to turn over your stake etc.

Another way in which bookmakers may use the term risk free is in the situation where they will give you a free bet if your first bet loses. However it would be wrong of them to call this risk free.

You would need to stake an initial bet with your money, which you could lose and then typically if you do lose they will give you a free bet up to a certain amount. ie this may be bet £10, get a free £10 bet if you lose.

However you have taken a risk as the free bet cant be withdrawn as cash. These aren't great offers as nobody intends to lose their first bet of course and if you win as planned, you get no bonus at all. Examples of these type of offers include.

Another variation of deposit match offers. This is really just different terminology with different terms and conditions attached to the offer.

So rather than receive an amount of your deposit as a deposit bonus, you would be allocated betting credits or free bets. These sign up offers have become really popular recently and bookies use them to encourage sign ups around large sporting events.

So rather than offer a free bet, they will offer larger odds on a popular bet to a certain stake. Sometimes these can be very good offers if the winnings are payable in cash and can be withdrawn. However it is more common to see the winnings paid in free bets.

So if the selection wins you would receive your normal returns to a £1 stake but additionally £20 in free bet credits. These offers sound very attractive and can suit you if you want to make small stakes only.

Profit Boosts, akin to enhanced odds, boost your winning's profit! Not as common due to their complexity and non-specific nature, but they could prove a gamechanger, so keep an eye out!

Similar to enhanced odds or price boosts but based on profit instead. So the offer could be double the profit of your first bet or first x bets up to a certain amount.

These aren't so common as they can be difficult for the customer to understand and they aren't normally specific to an event or outcome.

Money Back Special Bets offer a free bet if a specific event occurs—bettor bets on a football match, certain player scores, get a free bet! However, it's just a free bet, not your cash back. So, win on that free bet to retrieve your initial stake.

These free bet offers are linked to something specific happening. Such as place a bet on a football match and get your money back as a free bet if a certain player scores.

Or bet on a horse in a certain race and get your money back as a free bet if that horse falls. Often these types of offers can be available to existing as well as new customers.

Be careful though as you dont get your money back! You are rewarded a free bet which is very different as you would then need to win on that free bet to try and get your original stake back. Promotional codes, promo codes, bonus codes, offer codes! These all refer to a code which needs to be placed upon registration with a bookmaker in order to receive the bonus or offer available.

Often when you click through to a bookmaker site from a site such as OLBG, if any offer code is required it will be carried through and automatically added to your registration form.

If in the terms of the offer a code has been requested, double check that it has been entered when you register or you may not be eligible for the offer.

Some free bets are only available if you register your new betting account via a mobile device. Some betting sites are specifically trying to attract users who bet via their phones so reserve their offers or provide better offers for those who register on a phone.

At OLBG we can have a different list of free bet offers showing if you access the site via mobile than if you access it via a desktop computer. So take a look at our free bets list on your phone also to see if there are any specific mobile free bets or betting apps offers.

A free bet is a bet which is provided by a betting site for a customer to place and then benefit from the winnings.

Free bets are commonly used as welcome offers to encourage new customers to register with a new betting site. As many as you like, however you will be restricted to one account per bookmaker and therefore one free bet sign up offer per site, but there is no limit to how many different bookmakers you can have accounts with.

Your free bet will normally be available straight away after making your initial deposit or qualifying bet if required. Where your free bet token appears will vary by bookmaker.

Sometimes you will be issued with a bonus code to use but often you will be able to apply your free bet in the bet slip when you place your next bet. The sport and event which you can use your free bet on will be detailed in the terms and conditions attached to your free bet offer.

Check those terms carefully as there may be other conditions such as the odds and type of bet which you may place using your free bet.

Winnings from your free bet can normally be withdrawn but not the free bet stake itself which is not normally returned with any winnings. However terms vary and sometimes your winnings from your free bet will need to be turned over known as roll over requirements several times before you can withdraw.

No deposit free bets for sports betting are rare. If we find any we will add the offers here. No deposit casino offers are more common, head to our casino offers page for a list of these. You will make money from your bonus bet by choosing a winning selection.

Most free bets will require a qualifying bet to release your free bet. So really you need to make a profit from that initial qualifying stake and your free bet combined. For example, if you place a qualifying bet of £10 to receive a free bet of £10, you have risked £10 of your own money.

You now need to return more than £10 from your two bets to make money. Remember the free bet stake is not normally returned. A welcome offer or loyalty incentive where you cannot lose money on a bet.

These are a very popular but rare welcome offer. More likely you will find offers that give you a risk free bet after your qualifying bet. So for example you need to make a bet to then release a risk free bet otherwise known as a free bet.

Cheltenham Festival time can be the best time of year to open up a new account and take advantage of the generous welcome offers. Bookmakers will often increase their offers and provide generous money back specials on the Cheltenham Festival as it is a good time for them to bring in new customers.

Here are some of the benefits of having several bookmaker accounts in use for Cheltenham. As well as taking advantage of multiple welcome offers, having more bookies means better odds.

Shopping around for the best odds can make a big difference to your returns for horse racing betting. After the welcome offer, many bookies will have retention offers. For Cheltenham, these can be generous, too as the bookies want to fight for their customers.

Generous promotions we have seen have included refunds if your horse finishes second, falls, is beaten by the favourite. Sometimes we have seen bonuses if your horse wins by a certain margin.

Cheltenham loyalty offers can also be generous. These can include free bets after a qualifying quantity, free bets for every winner over a specific price, or even cash back on losses.

Bet £20, Get a £1 Free Bet on Every Race at Cheltenham. SEE OFFER. Which are the Best Free Bets? Sam Darkens Commercial manager and betting industry expert A good free bet offer is one a customer can understand clearly, and take the least risk in obtaining - Simplicity is key!!

Casino Free Bets Casino free bets are more commonly referred to as casino offers or casino bonuses but they work in a similar way to bookmaker free bets. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit.

Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. BetVictor are handing out £30 in bonuses when you sign up and bet £10 at odds of evens or more. Plus largely recognised as being one of the best for Premier League football odds.

Please Gamble Responsibly. Ladbrokes offer a £50 free bet to new customers who sign up using promo code F50 and bet £50, or bet less for a smaller bonus min £5.

Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Free bets valid for 4 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. Place a football acca with 3 or more selections and if it loses Betway will give you a free bet for the same value, up to a maximum of £ Pus 50 bonus spins on selected slots.

New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £ Overall odds: 3. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only exclusions apply.

This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. Bet the Responsible Way. Full terms apply. Betfred - Bet £10, Get £40 in Bonuses.

Betfred offer £40 in bonuses to new customers. To claim you'll need to sign up and bet £10 at odds of evens 2. Some deposit method restrictions apply.

Bonuses expire 7 days after issue. Tote and Pool excluded. Must be placed within 14 days of account reg. Not valid with Cash Out. Free bet valid for 4 days. Free bet stake not returned. Unibet offer up to £40 back as a bonus if your first bet loses. Plus there's also an extra £10 casino bonus as well.

You'll need to opt in and claim within seven days. Min deposit is £10 and must be made via a debit card. New customers only. Min Dep £ Debit cards only.

Opt in for bonus funds. Wagering, sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1. Sports bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Valid for 7 days. Quinnbet are an Irish bookie with a strong feel for racing but cover other sports as well.

New UK customers can get up to £35 back as a free bet, based on your first days wins or losses. Plus 10 free spins. org ad. Leovegas - Double Winnings on First Bet. LeoVegas are offering to double the winnings on you first bet. You'll need to deposit £10 or more and the maximum extra winnings are £ New reg only.

Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via "My Offers" page within 30 days. extra winnings £ Boylesports - Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets. New customers can claim £20 in free bets. To claim the offer you'll need to deposit and bet £10 at odds of even or more. New UK customers Excluding NI only.

Mobile exclusive. Min Deposit £ Min stake £ Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet.

Free bets expire in 7 days. Good Bet £10 Get £30 — An excellent offer that gives you three times your deposit in free bets. Money Back As Cash — Very different to the money back as free bets mentioned below. When the refund is in cash, these offers are excellent.

You can place your bet and collect your winnings if you win, and get your money back if you lose. These are OK if nothing else more interesting is around but you can often find bonuses that are for the same amount but lower deposit.

Meaning you can get the same bonus or more.