US bettors can legally and safely use free bets to place wagers with licensed sportsbooks. Regulated by state gaming authorities, these promotions offer a secure, risk-free way to try out different betting markets and potentially win real money.
Our list of sportsbooks is regularly updated to feature the best free bet promotions available to new and loyal bettors, ensuring you have access to the latest and most valuable deals. From our list of offers below, you can easily find the right bonus to match your strategy and maximize your betting experience.
When we evaluate sportsbooks with bonus bets, we focus on factors that directly impact your betting experience. From the size of the bonus to wagering requirements, every detail matters. Here is a list of key areas we look at:
Legally Available: We ensure all the free bet offers we review are available to US bettors. This requires that each sportsbook be fully licensed and regulated by state authorities.
Bonus Value: When comparing sportsbooks, we look for the most competitive and valuable offers. We prioritize the best sports betting bonuses in terms of the free bet amounts, ensuring the offer is substantial enough to give new users a fair chance to test the betting platform and its features.
User-Friendly Bonus Terms: We closely examine the bonus terms, such as wagering requirements, to determine if a promotion is worthwhile. We also review limitations on minimum odds and maximum winnings to make sure the bonus offers a fair opportunity for bettors.
Broad Betting Options: In our search for the top promotions, we carefully evaluate whether the bookie offers a wide range of sports and markets and if they are included to ensure you have the flexibility to bet on a range of major sporting events.
Free Bets Pros and Cons
For those new to sports betting, free bets offer a great way to try out sportsbooks without risking any money.However, they come with some limitations that bettors should be aware of. These bonuses are most effective for popular sports like football and basketball, with fewer options for niche sports. You may also notice that the winnings from free bets are often capped. But overall, the free bet bonuses add more value than risk.
Pros
Test a sportsbook risk-free
Potential for real money winnings
Try out different betting strategies
Cons
Wagering requirements
Restriction of use
Maximum win limits
With free bets, you can go for high odds risk-free and potentially make real money. Just be aware of the required odds and playthrough conditions, as these will affect your chances of turning those winnings into cash.
How to Claim Free Bet Offers at US Sportsbooks
Our list features top US online sportsbooks, where you’ll find some of the best free bet opportunities. We’ve outlined the steps you need to follow to claim these offers:
Select a site: Choose a sportsbook from our list with an active free bet promotion.
Register: Open a new betting account by providing your details.
Make a deposit: Fund your account using a preferred payment method.
Opt-in for the offer: If required, opt-in for the promotion and enter the promo code.
Place a bet: Make a qualifying bet based on the sportsbook’s terms and conditions.
While some sites offer free bets as part of the welcome bonus, others have dedicated promotions with different types of free bets. It’s always worth investigating what the free bet offer entails and selecting one that suits your playing style.
Types of Free Bets
The best sportsbooks offer different types of free sports bets, each with advantages. Here is an overview to help you find the best bet for you:
Risk-Free Bets
These bets act as a safety net, allowing the sportsbook to give you back some betting money if your initial bet loses. Instead of losing your money outright, you will get back a portion of the total amount paid in free bets. This promotion serves as a refund and only activates the bonus bet if your first bet doesn’t come through.
No Deposit Bets
These free bets require no deposit, allowing users to try out a sportsbook without spending money. These offers are designed to attract new customers by allowing them to place bets and win real money without any risks attached.
Matched Free Bets
To qualify for this kind of free bet, you must place a bet with your money first. The sportsbook then matches your initial bet up to a certain amount, effectively doubling your winning potential.
Parlay Insurance
Some sportsbooks offer insurance on parlay bets. For example, if one leg on your bet slip doesn’t come through, you can get a refund or a free bet. With this kind of bet, you can take on more risk, experiment with your betting strategy, and aim for bet combos with higher odds.
Understanding Free Bet Bonus Terms
Using a free bet bonus requires understanding the terms attached and leveraging them to your advantage. You don’t need to be an experienced sports bettor to understand these basic terms. We’ll break them down so you can choose deals with the best odds.
Wagering Requirements
Free bet bonuses come with wagering requirements that signify the number of times you need to wager the bonus funds before withdrawing any winnings. Typically, these requirements for free bets range between 5x to 10x. Lower playthrough requirements are always better, allowing you to access your winnings faster and with less risk.
It’s important to note that the original free bet amount is usually not included in the withdrawal—only the winnings can be cashed out.
Maximum Cashout
Winnings from this type of offer can be capped, meaning there will be a maximum cashout limit, and if your bet exceeds that limit, any extra winnings will be forfeited.
With an average maximum cashout limit of $200, some free bet promotions are unlikely to make you rich, but they still offer an excellent chance to earn extra cash without risking your own money. Some sportsbooks may have higher or lower caps on their free bets, while others offer bigger promotions with no cap, allowing you to keep all your winnings.
Sports Restrictions
Free bets usually restrict the types of sports and markets available. Bookies offer free bets on popular sports like football, basketball, baseball, or soccer to keep things fair and prevent low-risk betting on niche sports.
It’s essential to check the specific restrictions for each offer, as limitations can vary significantly between sportsbooks. But if you’re an NBA or NFL fan, you’re likely covered for basketball or football betting.
Expiration Dates
Like other sportsbook promotions, free bets come with an expiration date. You must use the free bet within the specified timeframe before the bets expire, and you risk losing it.
Typically, free bets are valid for anywhere from a few days to up to 30 days, depending on the sportsbook. Shorter expiration periods require quick action, while longer ones offer more flexibility.
Minimum Odds
Some sportsbooks offering this promotion will require minimum odds for free bet wagers. Standard minimum odds across top US sportsbooks are -200. However, there are also sportsbooks with free bets promos that don’t require minimum odds.
Tips for Using Free Bets Effectively
You need to have a plan in place to maximize your benefit from free bets. We’ve compiled some tips to help you get the most out of these offers at online sportsbooks.
Understand the terms and conditions: Before opting for a free bet promotion, review the bonus terms and wagering requirements. Check the eligible sports and markets, expiration dates, and minimum odds.
Target parlay bets: Free bet bonuses are ideal for placing parlay bets. They allow you to wager on high-odds combinations without risking your money. Parlays combine multiple selections into a single bet and are popular among bettors aiming for larger payouts. However, not all sportsbooks allow free bets to be used as parlays, so verify this before opting in.
Try hedge betting: This strategy involves placing a free bet on one outcome and using your money to wager on the opposite. For example, you could use your free bet on the “over” in an over/under market and then place a real money bet on the “under.” This way, no matter what the outcome, you can come out ahead.
Time your bets: If an offer is tied to a deposit bonus or as a free bet welcome offer, you can strategically time your registration with major events you wish to bet on. This way, the best opportunities will be available when it’s time to place your first bet.
Claiming Free Bets on US Sportsbook Apps
US sportsbooks provide dedicated apps for both iOS and Android, ensuring they are fully optimized and legal. Sports betting apps with free bets are available in states where online sports betting is permitted, currently covering 21 states. Some sportsbooks also offer state-specific apps to comply with local regulations.
Some sportsbooks encourage customers to download mobile apps by offering exclusive promotions, including deposit bonuses, cashback offers, and free bets for mobile app users.
One of the main benefits of using a sports betting app is quick access to betting markets from any location. Also, it’s good to know that betting apps closely mirror their desktop counterparts, offering features like live betting, early cashouts, and account management without any loss of functionality.
Maximize Your Betting Potential with Free Bets
The most attractive free bet bonuses come with reasonable wagering conditions, clear time limits, and fair maximum win caps, allowing users to test new strategies, such as parlay bets with higher odds, using bet credits to potentially win significant amounts.
The benefits of free bets—such as added value, low risk, and the opportunity to experiment—far outweigh any potential downsides. This is why our betting experts have compiled a list of the best free bet promotions available to US bettors, each thoroughly vetted to give you the best options for reliability and user satisfaction. Check out our top list and turn those risk-free opportunities into real wins today!
Free Bets FAQs
Free bets are promotions offered by sportsbooks that allow you to place a bet without using your own money. They come with specific terms and conditions and are offered in different forms, such as no deposit free bets, risk free bets, or matched free bets.
Register at one of our recommended US sportsbooks to claim a free bet, verify your account, and make a qualifying deposit or bet. Some offers may require you to opt in or enter a promo code.
Yes, free bet promotions come with wagering requirements, meaning you must bet a certain amount (often a multiple of the bonus) before you can withdraw any winnings. Check the sportsbook’s terms and conditions to know the exact requirements.
No, typically, you cannot withdraw the amount of a free bet itself. However, you can withdraw any winnings made from the free bets online after meeting the wagering requirements and other terms set by the sportsbook.
A risk-free bet is a bonus bet where the sportsbook refunds your stake, usually in the form of site credit or another free bet, if your initial bet loses. It’s a way to reduce the risk on your first wager.
Not always. Some free bets are restricted to specific sports, leagues, or bet types. Read the offer’s terms to understand where and how to use the free bet.
If you don’t use your free bet within the specified timeframe (usually a few days to a month), it will expire and be removed from your account.
A second-chance bet is a promotion where you get back your bets if your first wager loses. Instead of losing your money outright, the sportsbook refunds your initial wager as a free bet stake or site credit.
A no deposit free bet is a promotion where you receive a free bet without depositing money into your account. By offering free bets to new customers, sportsbooks allow them to try its features risk-free.
