How betting sign-up offers work (and what the small print means)
“Bet £10, get £30 in free bets” sounds simple. Usually it is, but the small print decides how much the offer is really worth to you. I have claimed more of these than I can remember. Here is what to check before you sign up.
The most common types of offer
- Bet and get: place a qualifying bet, win or lose, and receive free bets. This is the most common UK sports offer.
- Money back as a free bet: if your first bet loses, you get your stake back as a free bet.
- Price boosts: bigger odds than usual on a selected bet, often for new customers.
The terms that matter
| Term | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum stake | How much your first bet must be | Often £5 or £10 |
| Minimum odds | The lowest odds your qualifying bet can be at | Evens (2.0) is typical. Lower odds won’t qualify |
| Bet type | Singles only, or any sports bet | Some offers exclude multiples, virtuals or cashed-out bets |
| Payment method | Which deposit methods count | PayPal, Paysafecard and some e-wallets are often excluded |
| Expiry | How long you have to use the free bets | Can be as short as 7 days |
| Stake returned? | Whether winnings include the free bet stake | Usually not. See the example below |
| Promo code | A code to enter at sign-up | Miss it and you may lose the offer |
Why a £10 free bet isn’t worth £10
With most free bets the stake is not returned. Put a £10 free bet on at odds of 3.0 and win, and you get £20, not £30. A normal £10 bet at the same odds would return £30. That is why free bets are worth noticeably less than cash.
New UK rules since 2026
The UK Gambling Commission has tightened the rules on promotions:
- Since 19 January 2026, wagering requirements on bonuses are capped at 10 times.
- Also since 19 January 2026, bookmakers can’t run “mixed-product” offers that make you bet on sport and play casino or slots to unlock a bonus.
- Since 31 October 2025, you must be prompted to set a deposit limit before your first deposit.
- Your age and identity must be checked before you can gamble, so have your details ready.
Most UK sports bet-and-get offers have no wagering requirement at all, which is one reason they are popular.
My checklist before claiming
- Read the full terms on the bookmaker’s own site, not just the headline.
- Check your deposit method qualifies before you deposit.
- Make sure your first bet meets the minimum odds.
- Note the expiry date of the free bets.
- Only claim one offer per household. Most bookmakers enforce this.
Don’t let offers lead the way
A sign-up offer is a nice extra, not a reason to open an account you would not otherwise use. Pick the app you actually like for the sports you bet on, then take the offer if it suits you. You can compare the current offers on our betting offers page.
18+ only. Betting should be fun, not a way to make money. Set a deposit limit, never chase losses, and if it stops being fun, get free, confidential support from BeGambleAware or the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.