Free bet

A free bet is a bet token a bookmaker credits to your account, either on sign-up, as part of a promotion or as a reward. Placing it doesn’t cost you anything, but it comes with rules.

Stake not returned (SNR) is the most important. If your free bet wins, you get the winnings only:

That’s why free bets are worth more on longer odds, and why bookmakers usually set minimum odds, for example 1.50 or 3.00. Other common rules: a short expiry (often 24 hours to a few days), eligible sports or markets, a maximum cashout and sometimes wagering on the winnings.

Examples from our data include Hollywoodbets’ R25 free bet on sign-up (no deposit) and Supabets’ R50 free bet on sign-up (no deposit).

Some bookmakers also give free bet tokens to existing customers, for example for placing a set amount of multibets in a week, as with Betway’s Free Bet Club. These work the same way, so the stake-not-returned rule and minimum odds still apply.

A free bet is a good way to try a bookmaker, not a way to earn money. Compare every offer on our free bets page and the free bet no deposit list, and read how to claim a no deposit bonus.