Stake not returned: why free bets pay less
With a normal bet, a winning £10 bet at 2/1 returns £30: £20 winnings plus your £10 stake. With a stake-not-returned free bet, you only get the winnings, so the same bet returns £20.
Almost every UK welcome free bet works this way. A few promotions return the stake, and you can switch between the two in the calculator.
Minimum odds and the value of a free bet
Free bets normally have minimum odds. Our featured ProgressPlay brands require 1.5 (1/2) or bigger. A £20 free bet at exactly 1.5 pays £10, while the same free bet at 3.0 (2/1) pays £40 if it wins. Longer odds pay more but win less often, so the average value of a free bet doesn't rise with the odds.
Check these terms
- Qualifying bet: what you need to bet first to get the free bet, and at what odds.
- Expiry: free bets usually expire after a set number of days.
- Eligible markets and bet types: some free bets must be used on accas or Bet Builders.
- Winnings conditions: some free bet winnings must be wagered before they can be withdrawn.
Editor's pick Position 1
BetFusion iOS app
Code BFUS10 on your first deposit
Get a £10 Free Bet
Code BFUS10- Min deposit £10
- Min odds 6/4 (2.5) combined
- Max conversion £100 free bet winnings
- Valid 7 days
18+ New customers only. First deposit of £10+ by Visa, Mastercard or Apple Pay using code BFUS10. Place a £10+ qualifying ACCA or Bet Builder (2+ selections, combined odds 6/4 or bigger) to get one £10 Free Bet for an ACCA or Bet Builder on the same terms; free bet stake not returned. Horse racing, greyhounds and virtual sports excluded. Qualifying bet and free bet must be placed within 7 days of the deposit. Max free bet winnings £100. One per person, household, device and IP address. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Great offer Position 2
PlayWins iOS app
Code PWIN10 on your first deposit
Get a £10 Free Bet
Code PWIN10- Min deposit £10
- Min odds 6/4 (2.5) combined
- Max conversion £100 free bet winnings
- Valid 7 days
18+ New customers only. First deposit of £10+ by Visa, Mastercard or Apple Pay using code PWIN10. Place a £10+ qualifying ACCA or Bet Builder (2+ selections, combined odds 6/4 or bigger) to get one £10 Free Bet for an ACCA or Bet Builder on the same terms; free bet stake not returned. Horse racing, greyhounds and virtual sports excluded. Qualifying bet and free bet must be placed within 7 days of the deposit. Max free bet winnings £100. One per person, household, device and IP address. 18+. T&Cs apply.
- Position 3
SaviBet SaviBet iOS app
New players: deposit £10 and place £10 in bets
Deposit £10, Get a £20 Free Bet
- Min deposit £10
- Wagering 1x
- Min odds 1.5 (1/2)
- Max conversion £200
- Valid 7 days
18+ New players only. Deposit £10+ via the sports cashier and place £10 in qualifying real-money bets. Get a one-time £20 free bet: min odds 1.5 (1/2), free bet stake not returned. Free bet winnings wagered 1x; max conversion £200. Free bet and bonus valid 7 days. Skrill and Neteller deposits excluded. One sports welcome offer per customer across the ProgressPlay network. Withdrawal requests void active bonuses. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Only one sports welcome offer can be claimed per customer across the ProgressPlay network (including SaviBet, LuckCity and BetBlink).
