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MyTopSportsbooks Free Bets Guide
What three little words do every online gambler and sports fan love to hear? “Free bet promotions.” Individually, they don’t do much for us, but when positioned side-by-side to create this phrase, they whip us into a frenzy. A risk-free bet isn’t far away, though.
We love free bets and getting our hands on the latest deals and sportsbook promotions from the bookies. Like a free bet bonus when you sign up and place your no-sweat first bet? But where do you find the best free sports bet and free bet offers? What must you do to ensure you are getting the best deal possible?
We delve deep into everything related to free bets, detailing all the various aspects of these offers and exploring the various sites that offer them. Everything is covered in this article and FAQ section.
With most free betting sports apps looking almost identical, it can be difficult to distinguish between a good and a great bookie. We’re here to help you find the best free betting sites.
Our in-depth and reliable article on free sportsbook bets and promotions has everything you need to start. Are you ready to enjoy free sports betting and bet free of charge? Below, you’ll find the best free bet referral bonus and steps on how to secure the sportsbook free bet.
Spoiled for choice
Every app offering free online betting boasts an initial bonus to attract new clients. These “welcome” bonuses are available at 99% of all sportsbooks, but determining which is the best can be challenging.
We here at MyTopSportsbooks have included a list of the best sportsbook bonuses. We include bonus information within our top online sportsbook rankings so you can compare free bets and bonuses at each sportsbook before joining.
It’s part of the basics for betting. Sign-up bonuses are a big part of selecting which sportsbook is right for you. Getting the most out of your initial investment can impact how much you continue to bet in the future. Of course, this affects how much you win in the long run.
Bonuses
How do welcome offer free bets work? MTS reviews tons of sign-up bonuses to help you get the most bang for your buck. This is so you can decide which one best suits your needs and budget. But to know which bonus is best for your needs, you must first understand the most common type of welcome bonuses sportsbooks offer.
SportsbookRefer a FriendSign-up BonusReload Bonus
| Sportsbook | Refer a Friend | Sign-up Bonus | Reload Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
YES | YES | YES |
|
|
YES | YES | YES (Promo Code) |
 |
YES | YES | Yes (Crypto) |
 |
YES | YES | YES |
 |
YES | YES | YES |
Advantages of Free Bets
One of the main things we hear back from bettors taking advantage of sportsbooks free bets is that they can test-drive new sportsbooks. This allows them to see if it’s somewhere they’d be interested in depositing. You’ll discover all you need to know when searching for the biggest free bet deals.
Another great thing is that bettors’ don’t need to spend their cash, and any bets they place are entirely risk-free thanks to the deposit match bonus. Some of the best free bets sites require bettors to spend their real money before they’re awarded free bets. However, in this circumstance, once the bettor spends their money, they’ll get that money in free credits again.
Never forget you can prolong your betting experience by adding to your bankroll. The more free bets you accumulate in your bankroll, the more possibility there is to win big. Check out the best free bet sites, best free bet offers, and those free bet sign up bonus codes.
Disadvantages of Free Bets
While most free bet websites offer only benefits to users – like a free bet when you sign up – there are some disadvantages to using free bets. Some of the best betting promotions may seem great on the face of it but don’t sign up just yet.
It’s quite common that bettors have to fulfill a variety of finer details stated in the terms and conditions, such as playthrough requirements at Draftkings sportsbook. This may seem unimportant to some, but even the best free bet deals require users to meet certain demands to activate the promotions.
Another thing to notice is that when we compare free bets and look at the various top free bets around, there is little value, or they offer the amount you’ll receive in your account – which is minimal.
Deposits needed
Outside of low-value free bets, which generally offer free bets beyond $10, bettors are often required to deposit to receive any free credits.
We’d strongly advise shopping around the best betting websites for free bets and seeing what catches your eye. So, always remember that with the biggest free bets, it’s important to read the fine print and know the exact requirements of the promotion. Remember, a free bet isn’t like free betting money. Always do your research.
Match Bonus (Initial Deposit Bonus)
The most common sportsbook sign-up bonus is a match bonus. Ideally, you want at least a 100% Sign-Up Bonus (also called a cash bonus), where a percentage of your first deposit will be “matched” by the sportsbook (up to a certain dollar amount).
The bonus from the last section – “100% up to $200” – is an example of a match bonus. If you take full advantage of that promotion, you will receive $200 in bonus cash.
For a match bonus, it’s pretty standard for the rollover requirements to include the deposit amount and the bonus amount awarded. So, using a standard 5x rate, the amount you would have to spend to hit the rollover in our example is $2,000.
That number is found by multiplying the rollover by the deposit and the corresponding bonus:
The process for claiming bonuses is not identical between sites. Some are automatically included when making your first deposit. Other sportsbooks require a promotional code when making your first deposit.
How Long Until You Receive Your Bonus Funds?
There’s some good news if you’re the type of person who has a hard time waiting for gratification. Many sportsbooks release bonus funds incrementally as you wager. This is instead of a lump sum once the entire rollover requirement has been met.
For example, say you placed a winning $100 bet. Once settled, you’d get $10 of bonus money released. (i.e. you’d get 5% of your bonus money because you’d met 5% of the rollover requirement.)
Other books may also release the entire bonus amount upfront. In such cases, match-bonus money is treated as regular money. This means betting with it counts towards hitting your rollover requirements.
Unlike free play bonus money (which we’ll get to next), match-bonus money is returned to you if you win your bet. There are also no restrictions on where or how it can be wagered.
Free Play bonus
A popular sign-up bonus, the free play promises a certain percentage of your initial deposit will be given to you as a free bet (or as singles or multiple bets). A 50 free-play percentage on a $100 deposit will give the user $50 of bonus money, and often the free-play money is awarded immediately after making your deposit. Bettors can start using the free units straight away.
One thing to remember with free-play bonuses is that you don’t own the bonus money. Since you’re being spotted as “free money,” you are only entitled to the winnings of a bet, not the initial amount staked. Say you use that $50 free bet on a favorite going off at 1/2 odds. In this case, you’ll only receive $25 back should the wager succeed because you never owned the original $50.
That makes free plays a very tricky bonus to capitalize on. While bettors will want to maximize their free play on the long odds of a multi-game parlay, you also want to try to guarantee some return on your bonus. Please keep in mind that you can’t cash out these bets, or you could lose your risk-free bet.
Free Play Rollover
As with match bonuses, free plays often have rollover requirements attached which come into force when you begin to place bets on anything from a playoff to Grand Slam. You’ll have to clear the rollover before withdrawing any of the winnings from your free-play bets.
Generally, the rollover multiplier will be applied to your initial deposit and free-play money. The same applies to match bonuses. So in our above example (50% free play on a $100 deposit), the rollover multiplier would be applied to $150 instead of just the $100 deposit. A 3x rollover would require $450 to be spent in the books before you could withdraw your free-play winnings.
Pay attention here
What if you lose all your free play wagers? If there are no bonus winnings to withdraw, do you still need to hit the rollover requirements? Unfortunately, yes.
Sportsbooks may lock your funds and not allow any withdrawals until the rollover requirements have been met. They could also charge you the bonus free plays you were awarded upon withdrawal. In our example, that would mean subtracting $50 from whatever you tried to collect before clearing the rollover requirement. Free plays also don’t count towards the rollover requirements either.
Using The Free Play Bonus
When it comes to using the bonus, free plays are simple enough. Just add an event to your bet slip, and if you have unused free bets, you should have the option to use an available bonus. Then, just input the amount you want to wager, and your bet should be placed without taking any money from your account. Free plays usually have to be used in whole, round numbers, like $10.
If the option is not available, it’s possible the game or event you’re trying to wager doesn’t meet the conditions associated with the bonus. Some sportsbooks may restrict the type of odds you’re allowed to use the free play on (e.g. no lower than -200 odds). There may also be a time limit on how quickly you must use the offer after it’s awarded (anywhere from 7 to 30 days).
Be sure to read all the terms and conditions that come with a bonus. Yes, we understand you’ve probably got more important things to do with your time. You have just opened a new betting account and can’t wait to dive into the betting promo markets, odds and bets. So it would be easy to overlook the T&C. We’ve all done it at one time or another. But if you take anything from this page, you should read the small print before accepting any offer.
Mobile Betting Bonuses
Are there betting sites with free bets available on your mobile? You can bank on it.
While this is not a widespread phenomenon, many online sports betting sites will provide a sign-up bonus specific to mobile bettors. If you sign up via their mobile app, they will get an additional sign-up bonus on top of the regular one they already offer. This deal is used to help encourage the last of the in-store bettors to move over to online gambling.
If you plan on using your mobile device to access your sports betting account, this is a great way to get some extra free play. You can check out our guide to the best mobile betting apps with free bets to find the sportsbooks with the best mobile bonuses.
Get the best betting sites’ free bet offers today. Keep your eyes peeled for the free sports bet no deposit bonus is required. This deal isn’t as popular as it once was, but there are still some examples of free sports bets.
Treble Bonus
A rare bonus offering, treble winnings offer you the chance to win triple on your first wager. A $20 bet at even odds will (for one time only) payout $60 in free bet credit or cash.
Though these sportsbook offers don’t come with a rollover, it does come with some restrictions. Typically, the promotion has a maximum you are allowed to wager (sometimes as low as $10), a limit on what type of event you can bet on, and the extra winnings are often awarded in free plays (see above). The book may also cap how the free bets online are dolled out: $40 in additional winnings may be granted in two $20 free bets.
Post-Sign-Up Sportsbook Bonuses
Sign-up isn’t where the bonuses end for online sportsbooks. Nearly every website has a sportsbook promo codes page offering new deals for existing members. Please check out our complete glossary of betting terms if any terminology is unclear in this section. To make the most of your sportsbook, check out that page and take advantage of promotions today.
Referral Bonuses
These are a match or free e-play bonuses awarded for convincing friends and acquaintances to sign-up. The bonus is a capped amount, determined as a percentage of your friend’s initial deposit, and subject to the usual rollover requirements. However, there is never a limit on how many people you can refer, so these bonuses will always be available.
Reload Bonus
The best way to top off a waning account is to take advantage of reload bonuses. Reload bonuses aren’t nearly as lucrative as sign-up bonuses, usually offering to match a lower percentage or a lower maximum amount. Some reload bonuses are only available one time. Others will be available repeatedly. Read the terms and conditions to determine which reload bonus you’re getting.
Bitcoin Bonuses
To encourage the use of the new digital currency, some bitcoin sportsbooks will offer match bonuses for deposits made using Bitcoin. This bonus can only be collected once, and the percentage matched will vary. You can’t stack a bonus like this on top of an initial deposit bonus. It has to be used on a reload.
Refunded Bets
To separate themselves from the competition, some sportsbooks will have a unique policy where certain events in a game can trigger a refund for specific lost wagers. You’ll find deals like this on the promotions page. You can be eligible for a refund if you place a bet that meets the requirements.
An example of this policy is a website that refunds a losing correct-score prop bet if a soccer game ends in a 0-0 tie. Remember, every bookie is different. What is a free bet on Paddy Power may not be the same as Caesars sportsbook, BetMGM, Draftkings, or Fanduel sportsbook?
Bonus Winnings
Bookies may offer a bonus percentage on winnings to incentivize betting on certain sports or increase activity on live betting. As usual, you will have to place a wager that meets the criteria (e.g. doesn’t exceed the maximum bet allowed by the bonus). But, if you win an event that qualifies, your return will be boosted.
If there’s a book offering a 5% boost on two-team NBA, NFL, NHL or MLB parlays, suddenly, a winning bet for $20 becomes $21. It’s not a massive increase, but typically bonus winnings for parlays will continue to increase with the more teams you add.
Reactivation Bonus
These deals aren’t just for new players. If your account has been inactive for a while, sportsbooks will encourage you to return to betting action by emailing promotions. This may come as a promo code by email that can be used on Caesars, the Pointsbet sportsbook, or another major name. Sports bettors can then take the code to their gambling app, reactivate and enjoy a free bet.
These offers can vary from deposit bonuses to free plays. They are exclusive offers meant to draw you back into wagering. Again, keep an eye out for any wagering requirements, especially if the deal looks too good.
Sportsbook Bonuses: T&Cs
It’s a good idea to spend a few minutes reading the sportsbook rules around bonuses and understand the fine print. There are restrictions on claiming them and getting payouts on them.
For instance, a site may advertise a bonus like “100% cashback up to $200.” However, this doesn’t mean you can deposit $200 and suddenly have $400 in your account without strings attached. That would be an unsustainable model for a sportsbook.
You have to earn your free bets and parlays bonus by hitting what’s known as a “rollover” requirement. A rollover multiplies how much money you need to spend on a sportsbook before you unlock your exclusive bonus.
Small print
Some sportsbooks like BetRivers or the BetMGM sportsbook may allow you to use all your bonus money to bet upfront. However, until this rollover has been cleared, you won’t be able to withdraw funds without forfeiting that bonus money.
You must know exactly how free play sports betting works, what makes it tick and how you can use it to your advantage against the bookies. Also, check if the promo is available in your country and state. For example, New Jersey is fine, while New York, Pennsylvania, and Colorado may have different rules.
Rollovers
The rollover rate can range from 1x (meaning you only have to bet the amount deposited) to 15x (meaning you’ll have to wager 15 times your initial deposit before you can fully collect your bonus). A pretty standard rollover amount for online sportsbooks is 5x.
For most deposit bonuses, the rate will be multiplied by your deposit amount and the bonus. So, a $100 deposit with a 5x rollover could require you to bet $1000 to meet the rollover requirements. (We’ll get into the calculations more below.)
You won’t hit that rollover requirement on your first weekend of betting. We certainly don’t recommend trying if you’re new to sports betting. This is often popular with online casinos alongside a rewards program. You may see this promoted as a VIP or loyalty program where you earn tier credits for betting on the biggest sporting events from Illinois to Michigan and Indiana.
Working Through Rollover Requirements Effectively
Pro-tip: If you’re thinking about wagering the entirety of your account on a heavy favorite just to hit the rollover quicker: don’t. That doesn’t qualify you for the deposit bonus or match amount. Neither does cashing out your qualifying bets.
For winning bets, apps like the Unibet sportsbook will only count the lower number between (a) the wager and (b) the payout towards the rollover amount. In practice, a $200 moneyline bet that pays out $50 will only count $50 towards your rollover.
As mentioned, withdrawing funds from your account before completing the rollover requirements will forfeit the remainder of the bonus. This includes any money that was made by wagering bonus money.
You must also hit the rollover within a certain time frame or surrender the bonus. This time frame ranges from two to six months, depending on the website. This may encourage you to place a bet on a match up you wouldn’t have otherwise considered.
Go low
For new users or new customers, it’s probably best to target a website offering a rollover of 5x or less. Of course, a low rollover will be easier for a beginner to hit. When searching for sign-up bonuses, be aware of rollover requirements and timing, as they work with your betting preferences.
You should be able to access bonus funds and your site credit as soon as your deposit goes through. Once you gamble on different bet types, you’ll start chipping away at rollover requirements.
Now you know how to get free bets, but also that sports betting free money aren’t exactly as it seems. By understanding how free bets work, you know the T&Cs in addition to understanding the advantages. Get your reward credits today.
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