Best free bet & sports bonus offers for December 2023
Discover unbeatable free bet offers from some of the best sports betting sites around. Below we’ve rounded up the top free bets for the month. Find the best sports bonuses and start betting, or read on for our full free bets guide.
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Free bet & sports sign-up offers
Sports betting sites to avoid
Not all betting sites are worth your time and money. If we think a site could pose a risk to a bettor, we will make this clear. This could be for a few reasons, such as lack of legitimate licensing, poor customer support, suspension of accounts with no explanation, or other suspicious practices. Take caution when betting online and stick with our shortlisted sportsbooks, which have all passed quality and security tests.
What is a free bet?
A free bet is a bonus offer that allows you to place a wager without using the money you've deposited. Online sportsbooks will typically offer free bets to new bettors as a way for them to familiarize themselves with the site or app. In many ways, you can think of a free bet as an opportunity to place a wager with a reduced risk as you’re not contributing the stake yourself.
How we rate the best free bet offers
futemax777.net has a comprehensive process for rating free bet offers. Our team of experts follow multiple steps and examine each deal from numerous perspectives. Below are the features we look at when reviewing and ranking the best free bet offers.Bonus amount
Naturally, bettors want their free bet to be as large an amount as possible. Here we’ll be looking out for how generous a sportsbook is with their bonus. We’ll also check if the amount can be split over multiple wagers or if it must be used on one single selection.
Wagering requirements
Typically, a sportsbook will have wagering requirements attached to a free bet that will need to be fulfilled in order for you to withdraw your winnings. We’ll be looking at the T&Cs of each offer to assess how fair these requirements are for you. Low or non-existent wagering requirements will score the highest points.
Minimum odds
Some free bets will have restrictions on the minimum odds that they can be used on. Here we’ll be looking for sportsbooks that allow free bets to be used on low odds as well as high odds. Typically, most sportsbooks will have qualifying odds of 1.5 (1/2) or greater – this is what we’ll be using as our benchmark.
Validity period
Once your account has been credited with a free bet, there’ll likely be a validity period to use the bet by. Generous expiry periods let you take your time and use a bonus bet when it’s right for you. For this reason, we’ll be giving top marks to the sportsbooks that have large free bet validity periods.
Banking & payout
When reviewing the best free bet offers, we’ll also be looking out for a range of withdrawal methods. We’d expect to see a good range of valid debit or credit cards, e-Wallet and bank transfer options too. Then we’ll be assessing the payout speed to ensure bettors aren’t ever left waiting for their winnings.
Safety & customer support
We’ll only recommended sportsbooks that are of the highest standards. In every review we carry out a background check that covers the licensing and certification of each site. Then we’ll be looking out for their range of customer support options to ensure they have their bettors at the heart of what they do.
Free bets & sports bonus types
Take it from us, not all free bet offers are the same. Explore the different sports bonuses below and find out what a sports betting site might have to offer.
🥇 First deposit bonus | This is a widely-available bonus that’s used to reward new bettors for registering with a sports betting site. Typically, you will make your first deposit which will then be matched by up to 50-200%. First deposit bonuses are often valid to use on all bets, but can also be applied to specific events like football or cricket matches. This bonus type works in the same way as a standard casino bonus. |
💳 Deposit matched bet bonus | This bonus matches your first deposit with a free bet of the same value. Bonuses can often be matched up to $100 and can be used right after registration. If used wisely, this bonus type can double the amount you have at your disposal to bet with. Just be aware of any minimum deposit or wagering requirements attached. |
💸 No deposit offers | No deposit free bets are the holy grail of sports bonuses. This type of offer can be rare to find and usually comes with specific criteria to meet. For example, the minimum odds and bet type might be restrictive. There may also be wagering requirements which means any winnings won’t be immediately withdrawable. This type of bonus is like a no deposit or free spins casino bonus. |
💰 Risk-free bets | Risk-free bets act as a safety net. They work by a bettor placing a real money bet, and if it falls short, the betting site offers a refund. Usually, the refund will take the form of bet credits to use on further wagers. Rest assured if the original bets win, a customer still gets to keep their winnings. |
🤑 Money-back free bets | Similar to a risk-free bet, money-back bets offer a bonus if a bet loses, if the favorite wins, or if a certain event happens. The bonus will usually come in the form of bet credit. This bet type is hugely popular on a variety of sports, though you can usually find unique promotions for horse racing in particular. |
🏆 Bonus code | Bonus or promo codes give access to specific offers by a sports betting site. The codes are usually only valid for a limited time with new bonus codes created regularly. They’re simple to use – when depositing, simply enter the code under the ‘Got a promotion code?’ field. |
🚀 Boosted odds | For a limited time, betting sites offer boosted odds on specific bets. The ‘boost’ means that there’s a larger payout for the same bet. Also known as enhanced odds, this type of bonus can usually be found on high-profile events, like the NFL's Super Bowl or NBA Finals. This is a regular offer that’s valid for both new and existing customers. |
♣️ Free bets clubs | Most sports betting sites will offer regular bonuses to reward loyalty in the form of a free bets club. Though named differently at different sites, free bets clubs work in the same way. If a customer bets a certain amount over a one-week period, they will be rewarded with a free bet. Minimum odds often apply for the free bet. |
Best free bet & sports bonus offers
Free bets & sports bonus FAQs
How do free bets work?
Free bets work by offering you a bonus to bet with. Typically, you qualify for a free bet when opening a new account and making a deposit. You are then rewarded with a free bet that matches your deposit amount.
Which betting sites offer free bets?
Nowadays, most online sportsbooks have welcome bonuses and free bet offers. If you’re looking for the best deals, you can find recommendations from our shortlist above.
What is a free matched bet?
A free matched bet is a bonus that matches the size of the first wager. For example, if you were to place a real money wager of $20 then you’d receive a matched bet of $20 back.
What is a risk-free bet?
A risk-free bet lets you place a real money wager with a bonus as a safety net. All you have to do is place a bet using real money. If the bet loses, you’ll be credited with a bonus bet of the same amount. If the bet wins, then you’ll receive the winnings as a reward.
What are playthrough requirements for free bets?
Playthrough or wagering requirements refer to the number of times that a bettor needs to wager their deposit amount in order for the bonus to be cashable. These requirements will be different for each sportsbook but are important to keep in mind before placing a free bet.
Can you cash out a free bet?
No, a free bet cannot be withdrawn as a cash value straight away. Free bets will have to be wagered first, then if your bet is successful, the winnings will be valid to cash out. However, wagering or playthrough requirements may apply.
Can you withdraw free bet winnings?
Yes, though some offers may have T&Cs that apply. Certain sportsbooks will allow you to instantly cash out the winnings if the wager is successful. In other cases, there could be a wagering requirement that applies.
Are free bet offers only for new customers?
No, free bets bonuses are not exclusively available for new customers. Most sports betting sites will offer loyalty rewards to existing customers in the form of free bets.
How do I find the best free bets?
Finding the best free bets requires research. You can see what our experts recommend by heading to our shortlist above.
What is a wagering requirement?
Wagering requirements are the conditions needed to qualify for a bonus. For sports betting, this might mean a minimum stake or odds are needed to release the bonus. All bonuses have terms and conditions attached which will detail the exact wagering requirements.
How can I get free bets without a deposit?
To get a free bet without a deposit, look for no deposit bonuses. Though they’re less common, betting sites will offer this type of bonus simply for registering an account. Just be sure to check the T&Cs as no deposit bonuses often come with high wagering requirements.
