Free bets guide
Free bets, explained.
A free bet lets you place a bet without staking your own money, but it doesn't pay out quite like a normal bet. This guide covers how free bets work, why the stake usually isn't returned, the terms that come with them and how to read an offer.
The basics
How a free bet works
Most sports welcome offers that give free bets follow the same pattern.
Place a qualifying bet
You place a bet with your own money, at or above the minimum stake and odds in the terms. Often the result doesn't matter.
Get the free bet
Once the qualifying bet settles, or sometimes as soon as it's placed, a free bet token is added to your account.
Use it on a bet
Choose a selection and apply the token instead of a cash stake. Some tokens must be used in one go; others can be split.
Collect any winnings
If the bet wins, the winnings are paid to your balance. If it loses, you've lost nothing of your own.
The key rule
Stake not returned vs stake returned
This is the term that most changes what a free bet is worth. Most free bets are "stake not returned", often written as SNR.
Stake not returned (SNR)
You get the winnings only, not the free bet stake. A 10-unit free bet at odds of 3.00 returns 20, not 30. The 10 stake was never yours, so it isn't paid back.
Stake returned
Less common. You get the winnings plus the stake, just like a normal bet. The same 10-unit bet at 3.00 returns 30.
The simple sum
For an SNR free bet, the return is stake × (odds − 1). At 3.00 that's 10 × 2 = 20. If you're unsure about decimal odds, see how betting odds work.
What a 10-unit free bet returns if it wins
| Odds | Normal bet of 10 | Free bet, stake returned | Free bet, stake not returned | Share of normal return kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.50 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 33% |
| 2.00 | 20 | 20 | 10 | 50% |
| 3.00 | 30 | 30 | 20 | 67% |
| 5.00 | 50 | 50 | 40 | 80% |
| 10.00 | 100 | 100 | 90 | 90% |
The last column compares the SNR return with a normal cash bet at the same odds. Longer odds win less often, so a higher share doesn't mean a win is more likely.
The small print
Common free bet terms
Terms vary from site to site. These are the ones you'll usually see.
Minimum odds
Both the qualifying bet and the free bet often need odds at or above a set figure, such as 1.50 or 2.00. Bets at shorter odds may not qualify.
Expiry
Free bets usually expire after a set period, often 7 days. Unused tokens are removed when the time runs out.
Markets and sports
Some free bets can only be used on certain sports, competitions or markets. Others exclude markets such as Asian handicap lines or in-play betting.
Singles or multiples
Some tokens are for singles only; others must go on an accumulator with a minimum number of selections. Our bet types guide explains the difference.
No cash-out
Bets placed with a free bet often can't be cashed out early, and a void result usually means the token is lost rather than returned.
Split or whole
A 10-unit token may have to be used as one 10-unit bet, or may be splittable into smaller bets. The terms say which.
Know the difference
Free bets vs bonus cash vs free spins
Welcome offers come in different forms. They're not interchangeable, and each has its own rules.
| Free bet | Bonus cash | Free spins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used on | Sports bets | Sports or casino, per the terms | Set pokies |
| Form | A token for one or more bets | A bonus balance | A set number of spins at a fixed stake |
| Stake returned? | Usually not | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Wagering | Often none on winnings, sometimes a low multiple | Usually yes | Often yes, on winnings |
| Win cap | Sometimes | Sometimes | Often |
Typical patterns only. Free spins are covered in our pokies guide, and bonus rollover in wagering requirements explained.
On many sites, free bet winnings are paid as withdrawable cash. On others, they're added as bonus funds with a wagering requirement, for example 1x to 5x the winnings, before they can be withdrawn. Always check which applies.
Before you use one
Using a free bet sensibly
A free bet is a bonus, not a reason to bet more than you planned.
- Check whether it's stake not returned. Most are, and that changes what a win is worth.
- Understand why odds matter more. With an SNR free bet, you lose the stake from every return. At 1.50, that's two thirds of what a normal bet would pay. At 5.00, it's only a fifth. So at short odds most of the value is lost, while longer odds keep more of it, though they win less often.
- Check the minimum odds and markets for both the qualifying bet and the free bet.
- Note the expiry date so the token isn't lost unused.
- Check how winnings are paid: as cash, or as bonus funds with wagering.
- Only place the qualifying bet with money you can afford to lose. It's a real bet with your own money.
Good to know
Free bets FAQ
Can I withdraw a free bet as cash?
No. A free bet token has no cash value and can only be used to place a bet. If that bet wins, the winnings can usually be withdrawn, sometimes after a wagering requirement.
Why did my free bet return less than a normal bet?
Most free bets are stake not returned. You get the winnings but not the stake, so a 10-unit free bet at 3.00 returns 20 rather than 30.
What is a qualifying bet?
A bet you place with your own money to unlock a free bet. It usually has to meet a minimum stake and minimum odds, and sometimes has to be your first bet on the account.
What happens if my free bet is void?
It depends on the site. Often the token is simply lost, but some sites return it. The free bet terms usually explain what happens with void or cancelled bets.
Do free bets expire?
Yes, usually. Free bets often have to be used within a set number of days, commonly around 7, and are removed after that if unused.
Check you're eligible. Whether you can claim a free bet, and whether online betting is allowed where you live, depends on local laws and each operator's own terms. Free bet rules vary between sites, so always read the operator's own terms before you place a qualifying bet. This guide is general information only and isn't a recommendation. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly, and see our responsible gambling page if it stops being fun.