Whether you are new to bookmakers and sports betting or a seasoned pro, knowing how to use the bookies’ bonuses that they give you for making the first deposit or creating an account is invaluable.
Bookmakers offer different kinds of bonuses to make their site stand out from the crowd. So with this in mind, let’s take a deep dive into the world of bookmaker bonuses.
Free Bets
Free bets are common and their purpose is to entice you to create an account. They can form part of another promotion such as a welcome bonus. There are four important factors to check before creating that account. They are:
- License and Safety– Is the bookmaker regulated and licensed? If not probably best to avoid.
- Terms and Conditions– Free bets rarely come without a catch. It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions to avoid nasty surprises.
- Wagering Requirements– This governs aspects such as how much you have to wager before you can make any cash withdrawals. It is good practice to learn the wagering requirements prior to play. Again, it avoids nasty surprises.
Free Deposits
This type of is effectively free money. It is also money that is not eligible to be taxed in the UK although other countries may vary. This is why you check the wagering requirements and terms and conditions.
Free deposits are also known as no deposit bonuses or no deposit free bets. The good thing about free deposits is that you are given a small bankroll from the outset to play. The bad thing is that the wagering requirements tend to be high which some players struggle to meet. The better betting strategies will boost your bankroll allowing you to make withdrawals faster. Nonetheless, check the wagering requirements.
Expiry Dates
Most free bets and deposits do have an expiry date so to leverage them you need to wager with them. If you do not use your bonuses they will be removed. Should that happen it is a waste as you effectively could have used money that isn’t yours to win.
If you have a free bet but there are no events on the horizon that take your fancy, you’ll find most sports betting sites will allow you to bet on events far into the future. Champions League Final and the Cheltenham Festival are good examples.
Claiming Your Free Bets and Bonuses
Normally, your free bets and bonuses kick in automatically. If you’ve opted for a bookmaker that offers a no deposit free bets, then as soon as you’ll create the account the deposit amount will be credited to your account.
You’ll notice that some bonuses are credited to your account for a small deposit. £10 deposit yields £30 bonus are pretty common.
When you bet with a free bet you won’t get your stake money back just your winnings.
Hopefully, now you have a greater understanding of free bets and bonuses you’ll be able to refine and improve your betting strategy.
