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Here at [redacted], our betting experts always register and claim these free bets. This is a standard part of our bookmaker review procedure, allowing us to offer a trustworthy and dependable overview of the deals. And it’s not just that. Our experts also take the bookmaker through its paces, using it over weeks and testing every aspect that might be relevant to our readers.
When it comes to truly scrutinising every small detail, you can rely on our information, as we do it all – from reading the terms and conditions surrounding the bookmaker to testing the payments, checking the offers, and using the free bets as well as other bonuses.
UK punters have a special place for the NFL. The league is fast-paced, exciting, and packed with drama. Not very different from a trip to the bookies on a Saturday afternoon, really. But, what if you could have that same experience without risking your own hard-earned money?
That’s where NFL free bets come in.
Free bets allow punters to place a wager without dipping into their pockets. A test drive for your betting strategy, so to speak. And it has the potential to win you real money. In this guide, we’ll be breaking down everything you need to know about NFL free bets – the different types, how they work, where to get the best offers, and so on. Plus, we’ll share some expert tips on how to use these freebies to your best advantage.
Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or new to the game, this guide aims to help you use NFL free bets with confidence. Settle in and let’s get started!
Best NFL Free Bet Offers in 2024
We tested scores of platforms and here are our findings. These are the best bookmakers to utilise NFL free bets for any UK punter in 2024.
- Betfred: New users can register an account and place £10 or more on their first sports bet to get £50 in free bets. Use any debit card to stake at least £10 at odds of 1/1 or higher on NFL (or any other market). You will get 3x£10 in sports free bets and 2x£10 in Acca free bets. This offer expires within 7 days of registering.
- BetMGM: Bet £10 and get £60 in bonuses using BetMGM’s welcome offer. Choose odds of 1/1 or higher. After settlement, you will receive £60 in bonuses. This bonus is split up between multiple markets and you get 2x£10 free bets on accas (3+ selections), 1x£10 free bet on football, 1x£10 free bet on horse racing, 25x40p free spins on Joker Cash Spree, and 1x£10 reward games for live casino. The first couple of bets can be used as NFL free bets on any match. The bookmaker also gives you weekly free bets for football.
- BetVictor: BetVictor’s main free bet offer is for football, but you can get up to £25 in free bets that can be used on any market including the NFL through their loyalty program. Opt-in for the BV Loyalty Club and place 5 sports bets of £5 or more (odds must be ½ or higher). The free bet will be between £1 and £25.
- Betway: The main matched £30 free bet on Betway is only for football and horse racing, but you can opt-in for the Free Bet Club. This gives you £10 in free bets if you bet £25 or more on sports trebles and accumulators. The accumulator must have 3 or more selections with odds of 2/1 or higher.
- All British Casino: New customers can register an account and get a £10 free bet by staking £10 themselves. Odds must be 1/1 or higher and the bonus expires in 24 hours from registration. Simply deposit £10, make the first bet on a live or pre-live game, and £10 will be credited to your account. Single, double, multiple, or Bet Builder bets all qualify for this bonus.
Note: If you bet on mobile, check out our guide on the leading betting apps in 2024 to get a lowdown on the most user-friendly betting platforms out there.
What Are NFL Free Bets?
Out of all the NFL betting offers in the UK, free bets are the most lucrative for a variety of reasons. But before we get into all that, let’s understand what they are. More precisely, let’s find out what they allow you to do.
Free bets worth £50, for example, simply give you £50 in bonus funds that you can use to bet on NFL matches. The majority of UK bookmakers don’t offer NFL-specific bonuses. So, we have tested only the platforms that give non-exclusive or non-football bonuses that can be used for NFL betting.
These NFL free bets are acquired after making a qualifying deposit. More often than not, the qualification criteria are as follows:
- You must be a new customer (except for free bets acquired through VIP programs or weekly promotions).
- Your first bet or wager must be on odds of 1/1 (2.0) or higher.
- You must make your first bet within a particular time period, which could be 1 day or 7 days.
A lot of bookmakers, especially the newer betting sites in the UK, are increasingly offering these free bets on NFL. You top up your sportsbook wallet by a small amount, typically £5-10, and you receive a bonus. The bonus is free money that can be used to place wagers on any NFL match to win real money. After using up the bonus, you can withdraw your winnings.
There are four main types of free bets that bookmakers might be offering:
- Matched Bets: These are the most common type of free bet. You’ll typically need to place a qualifying bet with your own money, and the bookmaker will then match your stake with a free bet of equal value.
- No Deposit Free Bets: These are the holy grail of free bets – no deposit required! You simply sign up with the bookmaker and they’ll credit your account with a free bet. These are rarer than hen’s teeth, so snap them up when you see them.
- Money Back Offers: These offers give you a safety net. If your bet loses, the bookmaker will refund your stake as a free bet. It’s like having a second chance to get it right.
- Enhanced Odds: These offers boost the odds on a particular NFL market, giving you the potential for bigger winnings.
So, why do bookmakers offer these freebies? Well, it’s all about attracting new customers and keeping existing ones happy. At its core, it’s a marketing strategy, much like a casino welcome bonus or a matched deposit offer on a sportsbook.
How Do NFL Free Bets Work?
The majority of reliable NFL betting sites offer a straightforward and hassle-free process to make these NFL free bets work. You’ve gone through the best NFL free bets already, and it’s time to see how these platforms actually make the concept of free bets work for new users.
- The first step is often finding the right bookmaker that’s offering NFL (or general sports) free bets and signing up for a new account on the platform.
- Then, if it’s required, you make a qualifying deposit and subsequent bet. They will have some requirements, such as the minimum odds and a minimum amount to qualify.
- After your wager is settled, you will get the free bet funds, and you can use these funds to bet on NFL markets.
- Lastly, when you win, you can withdraw those winnings. If your bet loses, you get nothing. Typically, lower odds are excluded from free bet calculations.
When using your free bet, you’ll have the option to place it on a single bet or an accumulator. Singles are bets on a single outcome, while accumulators combine multiple selections into one bet for potentially bigger winnings (but also a higher risk).
Types of NFL Free Bet Offers
All right, let’s talk about the various types of NFL free bets you might be eligible for in a little detail. As we mentioned earlier, there are mainly 4 types of free bet offers NFL enthusiasts should be aware of. These are:
Matched Free Bets
These are the most common. You get a matched bonus to bet with after you have made an initial minimum deposit with the bookmaker. It will be something like bet £10, get £30 in free bets. What this means is that you will need to deposit and wager at least £10 with the bookmaker to get a bonus of £30, which you can then use on NFL.
No Deposit Free Bets
A no-deposit free bet does not require you to make any initial minimum deposit. You’re offered the free bet amount (which is often smaller than matched free bets) simply for signing up. So, this offer could be something like £5 in free bets on sign-up. After registration and verification, you will get £5 to bet on the NFL for free. This promotion is relatively rare but excellent to try out a new platform.
Enhanced Odds Offers
Bookmakers will occasionally boost the odds on a specific NFL market, giving you the chance to win more if your bet comes in. These offers are particularly common during big events like the Super Bowl, where the bookies are battling it out to attract punters. These are a very good way to maximise potential returns. Just remember to always compare them with the standard odds to make sure you’re getting a good deal!
Cashback Offers
Cashback offers are like safety nets. If your wager loses, the bookmaker will refund a portion of your stake as a free bet. It’s not quite as good as winning, but it gives you another chance to have a punt without dipping into your own pocket again.
How to Claim NFL Free Bets
So, you’re ready to get some free bets. You have even found one of the best betting sites for this. Now, how do you go about it, exactly? Here’s a general guide on how to claim NFL free bets:
- Choose Your Bookmaker: Pick a bookmaker that’s offering an NFL free bet promotion that tickles your fancy.
- Sign Up: Once you’ve chosen your bookmaker, you’ll need to create an account and verify it.
- Make a Deposit: Next, it’s time to deposit the minimum amount, if required by the promotion.
- Place Your Qualifying Bet: Free bet offers require you to place a qualifying bet with your own money before you can claim your freebie.
- Use Your Free Bet: Once you’ve met the qualifying criteria, your free bet should be credited to your account. Sometimes, it can take a few hours. You can then use it to place a bet on any eligible NFL market. Just remember, you won’t get the stake back if your free bet wins, only the winnings.
These free bets might sound amazing on the surface. No-brainer, free bonuses to get more registrations. But you’d do well to read and understand the terms and conditions before claiming any offer. It’s not rare for punters to get misled into predatory or ambiguous terms. If you’re not careful, you might end up losing your deposit and the free bet offer on your account forever.
Key Terms and Conditions to Consider
It’s very important to read and fully comprehend the terms and conditions. We do that as part of our testing, but terms can change at any time without any significant notice. That’s why we highly recommend you protect yourself from any risk by going through them. At least on the NFL free bet sites we have talked about in this guide, here’s what you need to pay the most attention to:
Wagering Requirements
When an operator gives you a bonus or free money to play with, it’s not directly withdrawable. It’s added to your bonus balance, which is separate from the withdrawable cash balance. You have to play through or wager the bonus amount a particular number of times for the winnings to convert into the cash balance. This is called the minimum wagering requirement.
- Usually, sports betting wagering requirements are remarkably lower than casino wagering requirements, like x5 vs. x40.
- A wagering requirement of x5 applied to the bonus funds means this: If the bonus amount is £50, your wagering becomes 5x£50 = £250. This means that you must wager £250 to turn the bonus winnings into cash balance.
- Your deposited amount or cash balance can be withdrawn at any time. However, if your account has a welcome offer, like a new customer NFL free bet, withdrawing your cash balance before you’ve met the wagering requirements will completely void the bonus amount and you’ll not be able to get it again.
- Some markets or game types might not contribute fully toward meeting this wagering requirement.
Minimum Odds
All sports bonuses are provided with a minimum odds requirement. In other words, you only get the bonus if you place wagers on selections with odds of 1/1 (2.0) or higher, for example. Also, the bonus, when received, must only be used on events with odds of a certain threshold or higher. Anything wagered on lower-than-required odds will not count.
Expiry Dates
Bonuses expire in a particular amount of time. Different types of bonuses expire at different times. For example, a standard casino welcome offer might expire in 28 days. Generally, free bet offers expire in 7 days from registration. We have also seen many cases where they expire in 24 hours, so make sure you’re fully aware of this before trying to use the bonus.
Eligible Markets
Some free bets are restricted to specific markets or events, including specific NFL games. When the “Big Game” of American football goes down, you can look into the best Super Bowl betting offers to find that specific promotions for boosted odds are being offered by UK bookmakers. Even when nothing special is going on, sportsbooks can decide which markets are eligible. The majority of UK free bet offers are on football live betting. For example, Spreadex gives you £40 in free bets but only on football. The bonus cannot be used for NFL matches. Make sure you know which markets and events are covered.
How to Make the Most of NFL Free Bets
Now that you’re armed with the knowledge of what NFL free bets are and how they work, let’s talk about how to squeeze every last drop of value out of them.
Firstly, don’t just throw your free bets at the first game that catches your eye. Take some time to do your research. Get deeper into the form of the teams, study the matchups, and consider any injuries or suspensions that might influence the outcome. Even the weather should be taken into account when betting. The more informed your bets are, the better your chances of turning those freebies into real winnings.
Next, consider using your free bets in accumulators. These bets combine multiple selections into one, offering the potential for much higher returns. Of course, the risk is also higher, as all your selections need to win for the bet to pay out. But with a free bet, you’ve got nothing to lose, so why not go for the big score?
Finally, don’t be afraid to shop around. Different bookmakers offer different free bet promotions, so it’s worth comparing them to find the best value. Some might offer larger free bets, while others might have more favourable terms and conditions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s talk about some pitfalls punters tend to fall into when using their precious NFL free bets. It’s not your fault for getting carried away with the excitement of a freebie, but just a few missteps can turn excitement into frustration.
- Never ignore the terms and conditions. A lot of people just skim over the small print, but those T&Cs are extremely important. Check for the wagering requirements, minimum odds, and time restrictions. Try to get as much information as possible. If you fail to meet even one criterion, you’re basically forfeiting your winnings.
- Another common mistake is placing free bets on markets with poor odds. Keep in mind that you only keep the winnings from a free bet, the stake is not returned. Betting on a heavy favourite at short odds might seem safe to you, but the return is minimal. Instead, use it on a riskier selection with higher odds. You have nothing to lose!
- Don’t let your bets go to waste. Always remember what the expiry date for your bonus is. And keep in mind that it’s not 7 days from your registration, technically. The bonus will expire at midnight of the 7th day, so you’re not exactly getting 24×7 = 168 hours in total. It’s less than that.
- Practise responsible gambling. This means sticking to your bankroll, not chasing losses, and never getting carried away. It’s easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment and try to recoup losses by placing more bets. But this is a recipe for disaster. Set a budget for your NFL betting and stick to it, even if you’re using free bets.
- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Learn how to diversify. Spread your free bets across different markets and types of bets to increase your chances of winning.
NFL Free Bets: In Summary
Free bets are a brilliant way to dip your toes into the world of NFL betting without risking your own cash. They give you a chance to test a strategy or explore new markets. But as with all forms of gambling, you need to bet responsibly. After all, if you end up staking and losing more money to recoup your loss in the free bet, what was the point of the free bet?
Don’t get carried away chasing losses or placing bets you can’t afford. Set a budget, stick to it, and remember that gambling should be fun, not a financial burden. And if you ever feel like your betting is getting out of control, don’t hesitate to seek help. There are plenty of resources available to support you.
You can rest assured that all the bookmakers we recommend are fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. Bet with confidence that you’re in safe hands. All of them also offer reliable self-exclusion tools and participate in the GamStop self-exclusion program.
Now, go out there, find NFL free bets that suit your style, and enjoy the season!
NFL Free Bets FAQs
Can I withdraw winnings from a free bet?
The winnings can be withdrawn, yes. As long as you qualify for the bonus and bet according to the terms, the winnings (after the bet is settled) will go into your cash balance, which can be withdrawn at any time. Don’t withdraw your deposited amount while the bonus is in play.
Are NFL free bets risk-free?
Yes. Once you get an NFL free bet bonus credited to your account, you can use it on any high-risk outcome without worry. If you lose, it was free cash anyway. If you win, you win big. We recommend accumulators over single bets.
How often can I claim an NFL free bet?
Generally, an NFL or sports free bet is a one-time offer handed out to new customers. You make a new account, make a qualifying first deposit, and get the free bet bonus. However, on some platforms, you can use the loyalty program or a weekly offer to get additional free bets. BetVictor and Betway are good examples of this.
What happens if I lose a free bet?
If you lose your free bet, nothing happens. Your first deposit is used up by now anyway (the bonus is only credited after your deposited amount is settled and all bets settled). The free bet is exactly that – free. The amount was a freebie, so it won’t be returned to you.
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