For many bettors, choosing a bookmaker is no longer a decision based on the best value on offer but who is offering the most eye-catching promotion. While “free bets” and bonus incentives might be appealing at first glance, a closer look at the terms and conditions show what these offers are really worth. Find out why there’s no such thing as a free bet. How do free bets work?
The most common and well-known type of free bet on offer is the classic “no risk” free bet. However, this contradictory offer is never a no risk proposition for the bettor. In order to qualify, you must be a new customer with no other previous account history and you can not live in the same household as another account holder.
Once you have signed up and accepted the lengthy terms and conditions, you must deposit a specified amount and bet that amount with odds over a specific threshold (commonly 1.50, sometimes 2.0) before you receive the same amount you deposited as a free bet - obviously the bookmakers who use this offer don’t think a bet at odds of 1.50 or greater classifies as a risk.
As if all that wasn’t enough, most bookmakers will also enforce rollover requirements - if you win after using your free bet you must bet through your original deposit amount (this can be up to 10x your deposit) before you can actually withdraw any winnings.
Example, to qualify for a €10 free bet currently on offer you need to deposit €10 of your own money and play through the free bet amount with €100 worth of bets (possibly more) with odds above a certain threshold before you can ever withdraw any of the money.
Why do bookmakers offer free bets?
Is a free bet a gesture of good will? Is it a bookmaker’s way of saying thank you for choosing to bet with them? Not at all. Free bets, bonus offers and other promotions are simply a way of acquiring new customers at a high rate using a low-risk incentive.
Deposit bonus
In addition to the common “no risk” free bet, some bookmakers will offer what appears to be a lucrative deposit bonus - this can range from €10-€250. While the monetary figure on offer is central to bookmakers’ marketing campaigns, it is the fine print that bettors should pay attention to.
If we look at one bookmaker’s €200 deposit bonus offer more closely, we can see why it doesn’t offer any real value. In short, the bonus offer is broken down into segments of maximum deposits that are matched by the bookmaker - the most a bettor can deposit at once and get back in the offer is €50.
Deposit bonus
In addition to the common “no risk” free bet, some bookmakers will offer what appears to be a lucrative deposit bonus - this can range from €10-€250. While the monetary figure on offer is central to bookmakers’ marketing campaigns, it is the fine print that bettors should pay attention to.
If we look at one bookmaker’s €200 deposit bonus offer more closely, we can see why it doesn’t offer any real value. In short, the bonus offer is broken down into segments of maximum deposits that are matched by the bookmaker - the most a bettor can deposit at once and get back in the offer is €50.
The most common and well-known type of free bet on offer is the classic “no risk” free bet. However, this contradictory offer is never a no risk proposition for the bettor. In order to qualify, you must be a new customer with no other previous account history and you can not live in the same household as another account holder.
Once you have signed up and accepted the lengthy terms and conditions, you must deposit a specified amount and bet that amount with odds over a specific threshold (commonly 1.50, sometimes 2.0) before you receive the same amount you deposited as a free bet - obviously the bookmakers who use this offer don’t think a bet at odds of 1.50 or greater classifies as a risk.
As if all that wasn’t enough, most bookmakers will also enforce rollover requirements - if you win after using your free bet you must bet through your original deposit amount (this can be up to 10x your deposit) before you can actually withdraw any winnings.
Example, to qualify for a €10 free bet currently on offer you need to deposit €10 of your own money and play through the free bet amount with €100 worth of bets (possibly more) with odds above a certain threshold before you can ever withdraw any of the money.
Why do bookmakers offer free bets?
Is a free bet a gesture of good will? Is it a bookmaker’s way of saying thank you for choosing to bet with them? Not at all. Free bets, bonus offers and other promotions are simply a way of acquiring new customers at a high rate using a low-risk incentive.
Deposit bonus
In addition to the common “no risk” free bet, some bookmakers will offer what appears to be a lucrative deposit bonus - this can range from €10-€250. While the monetary figure on offer is central to bookmakers’ marketing campaigns, it is the fine print that bettors should pay attention to.
If we look at one bookmaker’s €200 deposit bonus offer more closely, we can see why it doesn’t offer any real value. In short, the bonus offer is broken down into segments of maximum deposits that are matched by the bookmaker - the most a bettor can deposit at once and get back in the offer is €50.
Deposit bonus
In addition to the common “no risk” free bet, some bookmakers will offer what appears to be a lucrative deposit bonus - this can range from €10-€250. While the monetary figure on offer is central to bookmakers’ marketing campaigns, it is the fine print that bettors should pay attention to.
If we look at one bookmaker’s €200 deposit bonus offer more closely, we can see why it doesn’t offer any real value. In short, the bonus offer is broken down into segments of maximum deposits that are matched by the bookmaker - the most a bettor can deposit at once and get back in the offer is €50.
