Betting.us Editor-in-Chief Blake Roberts skillfully uses his background in statistics and sports knowledge base to create insightful betting guides. Blake was born in Morgantown, WV, and he has a community college degree in Statistics. His stamping grounds are the live betting platforms of West Virginia.
Best Betting Sites with Free Bets in April 2024
By Blake Roberts
Founder & Editor in Chief at Betting.us
Updated: April 18, 2024
When comparing betting sites with free bets, the devil is often in the details. Use the table to choose from sportsbooks offering matched bets, risk-free bets, or 2nd chance bets. New customers can access any deals listed below.
Best Betting Apps with Free Bets for 2024
A free bet is a special deal offered by sportsbooks that boosts your chances of guaranteeing a profit. There are plenty of betting apps with free bets up for grabs, though each functions in its own way. Take a look at our rankings and make the right choice for you.
| Operator | Welcome Bonus | Bonus Code | Best Features | Site Rating | Secure Link | Legal In | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | Up to $1500 Back In Bonus Bets | Not Needed | Risk Free Bet | ★ out of 5 | BET NOW! | AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WA, WV, WY | Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply. |
| BetRivers | Up to $500 Free Bet | SPORTS | 2nd Chance Bet | ★ out of 5 | BET NOW! | PA, NY, MI, VI, IN, IL, IA, CO, AZ, LA | Valid only for new PA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply. |
| Caesars | Up to $1000 First Bet on Caesars | IGAMING1000 | Free Reward CreditsFree Tier Credits | ★ out of 5 | BET NOW! | AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MI, NV, NJ, NY, PA, RI, TN, VA, WV | Valid only for new TN players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply. |
| bet365 | Bet $5 & Get $150 In Bonus Bets | Not Needed | Free Bets | ★ out of 5 | BET NOW! | CO, NJ | Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply. |
| Betway | Bet $25, Get $150 In Bonus Bets | Not Needed | Risk Free Bet | ★ out of 5 | BET NOW! | AZ, CO, IN, IA, NJ, PA | Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply. |
| SugarHouse | Up to $500 Free Bet | SPORTS | 2nd Chance Bet | ★ out of 5 | BET NOW! | CT, NJ | Valid only for new CT players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply. |
| Hard Rock Sport | Up to $100 In Free Bets | Not Needed | Risk Free Bet | ★ out of 5 | BET NOW! | IA, NJ | Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply. |
| Borgata Sport | Up to $100 In Free Bets | Not Needed | Matched Bet | ★ out of 5 | BET NOW! | NJ, PA | Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply. |
Free Bets Explained
As the name of these promotions suggests, sportsbook free bets allow new and returning customers of an online gambling platform to place wagers with funds provided by the house. However, while it could be easy to assume that you won't have to put in any money yourself, this is not always the case.
The truth is that there are many different types of free bets online, and each site will have its own terms and conditions that you have to follow to claim these offers. For example, in some cases, the wins from your free bets will be awarded as site credits, while others will payout your free bet winnings as cash.
It's also worth noting that, unlike paid bets, free online betting will only pay out the profits of your bet as opposed to a return of the stake plus the profits. There may also be restrictions on the types of markets and sports you can wager on and minimum odds requirements.
Due to these distinct differences, it's helpful to understand what to look out for when examining the best free betting offers. Fortunately, several high-quality betting apps provide lucrative offers with fair terms and conditions, allowing players to play with little risk.
How to Claim a Free Bet
Betting sites with free bets will have different processes for claiming these offers. In many cases, you will need to enter a bonus code, while other platforms may require you to opt in by clicking on a bonus banner. The only thing that won't differ is that you'll always need to create or hold an account with the operator.
- Step Enter your email address
- Step Create a password
- Step Enter name and personal data
- Step Agree to the terms and conditions
- Step Activate account
- Step Head to the 'promos' section
- Step Choose a bonus offer
- Step Read the bonus terms and conditions
- Step Claim the bonus
- Step A no deposit bonus will appear in your account automatically
- Step You'll need to make a deposit to trigger a deposit match bonus
- Step Consider the play period
- Step Meet the playthrough requirements
- Step Turn your bonus into real money
At some stage, you may be asked to make a minimum deposit to trigger the promotion. If you're already a customer of a free play sportsbook, you won't need to create another account. Instead, head to the promotions page to find any code or opt-in links and follow the process as outlined.
Different Types of Free Betting Offers
Depending on which platform you choose to sign up with, you’ll find that there are several types of free bets deals. These will differ widely in terms of value, restrictions, and claim processes. Below, we’ve explained the variances in the free betting offers.
-
New Sign-Up Free Bets
It's prevalent for online sportsbooks to reward new customers with a free bet for signing up. Sometimes, these bonuses will be awarded as soon as you've made your deposit, while others may require you to stake a paid bet before your free bet is credited to your account.
-
Deposit-Match Free Bet
The size of the deposit-match free bet depends on how much money you put into your account. For example, you may come across a promotion that awards 100% of your first deposit up to $1,000 in free bets. This means that if you deposit $1,000, you'll receive a free bet of the same value.
The minimum deposit-matched value will usually be between $10 and $20. Remember that some sportsbooks may require you to stake your own cash before your free bet is eligible for use. There will also be an expiration date applied to your free bets, so ensure you have enough time to use them.
-
No-Deposit Free Bet
Like a free bet for signing up, your no-deposit free bet will be awarded when you open an account. However, you will not be asked to put in any of your own money. These free bets are usually valued at around $10, and profits from them are likely to be paid out in more free bets that have fewer restrictions.
This ensures that the offers are sustainable for betting operators and that players return to make some kind of deposit. That said, some platforms will payout your no-deposit free bets in cash. These are always worth claiming as they truly come with no risk.
-
Matched-Bet Free Bet
While a matched bet may not technically be counted as a free bet, they are similar in that your bet will be enhanced by money from the house. For example, a matched bet up to $50 means that if you stake $50, the operator will boost it with an additional $50 to bring the total stake to $100.
-
Reload Free Bets
A reload free bet is offered to return customers and will require you to make a cash deposit. Online betting sites with free bets commonly offer these during major sporting events, though it's unlikely that their values will be as high as those offered for new customers.
These are especially convenient as you won't have to register for a new account to claim them. They can also give you more opportunities to adopt the matched betting strategy, which we have explained in further detail in an upcoming section.
-
Refer-a-Friend Bonus Bet
Refer-a-friend bonuses are great as all parties benefit from their use. You will be given a unique code to share with your friend that, when entered at the signup stage along with a qualifying deposit, will give both users a free bet. The size of these bets depends on the size of your friend's deposit.
The more friends you refer, the larger the free bets awarded to you become. These are extremely valuable as they don't require any deposit on your part - just a proactive approach to recruiting. You may also earn loyalty points that can grant you access to additional perks.
Online sportsbooks based in states that have recently legalized this form of gambling tend to be especially appreciative, as they're eager to grow their customer base. Those who have recently joined any free bet apps in New York should keep an eye out in particular since it's a highly competitive market.
Overview of Sportsbooks Offering a Risk Free Bet for Signing Up
Another type of free bet is the risk-free bet. These differ from free bets in that you will have to wager your own money but will be protected against any losses. We've explained what these special sportsbook promotions are while providing recommendations for platforms that offer them.
What Are Risk-Free Bets?
It's common for online sportsbooks to offer risk-free bets to new and returning customers. In some ways, they can be more beneficial than free bets because your winnings will always be paid out as cash. They usually work by offering a first-time risk-free bet up to $100.
Once you have claimed the promotion, you can stake a wager up to that value. If you win, you will receive your payout as usual. If your bet loses, you will earn a refund of your stake as cash, bonus funds, or a free bet.
How Do You Exploit a Risk-Free Bet?
Risk-free bets allow you to back markets that may otherwise be too risky to consider. To improve your chances of winning, we recommend that you choose a simple moneyline bet and back the underdog. This will maximize your profits in the event of a win.
How your stake is returned will determine the true value of these offers. If your stake is returned as bonus funds or free bets, you'll need to continue wagering until you have met all withdrawal requirements. Risk-free bets that provide a cash refund are the most valuable.
Make a Free Wager on a Growing List of Sports
Most free online betting sites are expanding their sports offerings. The operators we've recommended cover major sports leagues plus international events and contests as standard. We even see online sportsbooks offer eSports and other niche sports betting markets so there is always something for everyone.
Popular US Online Sports
List of the Top 3 Apps with Free Online Betting
If you're looking for a free bet app that offers fast odds updates, live betting, intuitive navigation, and similar benefits, you're in luck. Our team of experts has highlighted the sportsbook operators that are known for developing high-quality native apps for Android and IOS.
Pros & Cons of Claiming a Free Bet Offer
Betting sites with free bets have a lot to offer when it comes to promotions, but do they stack up to other sportsbooks when it comes to aspects like payment diversity and market coverage? We've provided a list of pros and cons that can help you answer this question and decide if this is the type of betting platform for you.
- Low risk bonuses
- Diverse betting markets
- Intuitive apps
- Fair odds
- Various cashback offers
- Complex terms and conditions
- High wagering requirements
- Betting market restrictions
The most significant advantages bet sites with free bets can offer naturally relate to their limited risk bonus offers and market diversity. Typically, these platforms also provide intuitive apps and favorable odds, as they need to defend their position in competitive markets. However, they might also have complex terms and conditions, which can be disadvantageous to beginners.
Restrictions
Before you claim any online betting site bonus, you should always read the terms and conditions. For free bets online, betting restrictions related to the minimum odds, maximum wins, and the ability to split usually apply.
Wagering requirements and validity periods also matter. Furthermore, a minimum deposit will also be required to trigger the bonus if it's not a no-deposit free bet offer. This will usually hover around $10. It's common for the value of your free bet or risk-free bet to be the same value of your first deposit up to a certain limit, with the top operators offering free bets up to $1,000.
Keep in mind that you'll have to fulfill the betting requirements within the stated validity period, which can be anywhere between 24 hours and 30 days. For your bet to qualify, you must also ensure the odds are over a certain value.
Your payouts may also be capped at a certain value, as will your ability to split the bet. Restrictions on splitting may mean that a $1,000 free bet must be used at once, as opposed to five $200 bets. This may not be suitable for players who wish to make multiple smaller bets.
Finally, be sure to check how your free bets will pay out. You can withdraw your funds without further requirements if you receive your wins as cash. If your wins or, in the case of risk-free bets, losses are paid out as bonus funds or free bets, you'll have to continue wagering until you earn a cash payout.
Matched Betting: How to Hedge a Free Bet
Matched betting is a common wagering strategy that guarantees profits when executed correctly. The strategy requires you to hold an account with at least two different free-play sports betting sites and to wager each site's bet promotions on the same market in a different way.
The process may seem quite complicated for newcomers who want to register at an online sportsbook, but we assure you that this is a completely legal, tried, and tested approach that allows you to take advantage of some of the best free betting offers. In its most simple form, you will want to find a market on one platform, preferably a moneyline, and back a winner with your free bet.
You will then wager your free bet on the other site on the same market but back the alternative team to win. How much to bet can be calculated using a matched betting calculator, which you can find online. Some strategies may also require you to wager one paid bet, but this will still be protected by the process.
FAQ
If you still have questions about free-play sports betting and how to claim these types of promotions, we're here to help. Our team of experts has answered some of the most common inquiries online, so this information might help fill in the gaps.
Which are the best betting apps with free bets?
There are a number of high-quality betting sites that award US players with free bets. These are all diverse in terms of the value and functions of the offered bonus, and some options will suit certain users more than others. In many cases, you will need to make a deposit, though this isn’t always necessary.
Some top betting apps with free bets include:
- Caesars
- BetMGM
- bet365
- BetRivers
- DraftKings
No matter which offers you choose to claim, you will need to create an online sportsbook account to earn any signup bonus. This is a fast and simple process that shouldn’t take much longer than an hour to complete. Once you’ve registered, you may also be able to take advantage of reload bonuses or free bet perks through the loyalty program.
How do I claim a sportsbook's free bet bonus?
We have listed some of the best free mobile bet and desktop offers. As long as you're located in a legal online betting state and the operator is licensed by your local authority, you should be able to claim these free bet promotions. However, remember that if they're part of a welcome bonus, only new users can claim them.
You then will either need to opt into the bonus or provide a bonus code when you make your first deposit. For most bonuses, there will be a minimum deposit amount required. Sometimes, you won't need to deposit at all. These terms and conditions will be clearly outlined, and you should always read them.
Once you have met the requirements, your free bets will be credited to your account. Depending on the type of promotion you have received, there will be different stipulations on what you can and can't wager on and how long you have to use it.
What’s the difference between free bets and risk-free bets?
We've provided a breakdown of the different types of free bets, but in general, while a free bet won't require you to wager your own funds, a risk-free bet provides a sort of safety net. When you stake a free bet and win, you will only receive the profits back and not the cash stake, as the house fronted this. If you lose, you receive nothing.
When you stake a risk-free bet and win, you will earn both your stake and winnings back as though it were a regular bet. However, if you lose, your stake will be credited back to you as cash, bonus funds, or a free bet of the same value.
What should I look for when choosing online free bets?
The most important thing to do before claiming any free bet is to consider its terms and conditions. Within this fine print, you can learn all about the true value of the offer and whether its restrictions will negatively or positively impact the promotion.
Some common terms to consider are:
- Minimum deposit requirements
- Validity period
- Bet splitting restrictions
- Minimum odds
- Maximum win limits
- How stakes are returned
In most cases, free online betting for real money or placing a risk-free bet is always worth it. However, if the restrictions do not suit your playing style, the free bets app may offer little value to you. Consider all these factors to determine if this type of promotion suits your needs.
What sportsbooks give you free money?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that online gambling site promotions equate to real money. Understanding that online sportsbooks will never give away anything for free, even to new players, is crucial. All promotions for a betting site or mobile betting apps will have terms and conditions that need to be met before you can withdraw your winnings.
The closest promotions to free money are no deposit bonuses, as these won't require any cash input on your side. However, the value of these bonuses is usually no more than $10, and you will need to win with them to receive the same value back.
Conclusion - Find the Best Betting Sites with Free Bets
Free bets are the most common and popular type of sportsbook deal, and for a good reason. They provide a valuable opportunity to test out a betting site and its markets for reduced risk. Plus, they make your first deposits go further. When used in a certain way, you can even guarantee profits.
Blake Roberts, a Morgantown native with a background in statistics, takes the position of Editor in Chief at Betting.us. He combines his love for sports and his knowledge of statistics to produce high-quality sports betting reviews. Blake enjoys evaluating online betting sites and believes that keeping a professional mindset in gambling is of utmost importance.
As mentioned, the best sports betting sites with free bets are those that have reasonable terms and conditions that will suit your gambling style. Although all offers we've highlighted offer excellent value, we recommend you take the time to examine their validity, minimum odds, maximum win, and other requirements. It will help you determine if they suit your budget and needs.