What Is a Free Bet?
A free bet is one of the most common bonuses given out by gambling apps. It can be used to reward existing users or welcome new users. If you are wondering what a free bet is, it is exactly what it sounds like: you get to make bets for free. How? Simple. A certain amount of free money is transferred to your account, and you cannot withdraw it from your account. You can only use it to place bets. So you don’t have to wager any money of your own for betting. Your winnings are yours to keep, and if you lose, you still don’t have to incur any losses. That’s as good as it can get, right?
Different Types of Free Bet
Free bets are widely loved in the betting world, because punters don’t have to risk any money of their own. All that they need to do is use up their bet credit or coupons that have been credited to their player account. There are many numerous ways when it comes to enjoying your free bet. These bet types have been discussed below:
Free Bet Welcome Bonus
Most commonly, Indian betting sites offer free bet welcome bonuses to new users. Customers are offered free bets in return for creating an account with the sportsbook. As soon as you sign up, and make your first deposit, your betting account is credited with the promised amount. Sometimes, sportsbook sites promote their apps by offering free bets for downloading the app. There is usually a time frame within which you need to use the welcome bonus and place your first bet, so read the terms carefully.
Risk-Free Bets
A risk-free bet is often offered by bookmakers to make sure users keep visiting their app. It is risk-free because the money is returned if you lose the bet. But you need to carefully read the terms and conditions because all apps return the money in different ways. While some apps may indeed return the money you wagered back to your account, most apps would offer you a betting credit of the same amount. You might also be given risk-free bets of the same value so that you continue betting.
No-Deposit Free Bets
These bets are comparatively rare because punters don’t even need to make a deposit to use these bets. It is usually given by apps during festive seasons or before the gaming season starts to appeal to new punters. The amount limit for no deposit-free bets is low because in case you lose the bet, the loss would have to be completely borne by the app. But no-deposit free bets are great for new users who are not yet adept at the art of gambling.
Match Your Deposit
This is the most common promotion offered by betting sites. To receive this kind of free bet, you need to make a deposit first. The app matches your deposit and gives you extra credit. For example, if the website is offering an 80% return on your deposit, and you deposit ₹1,000, you get an extra ₹800 from the website itself. You can use this amount for betting on the game of your choice. There is usually a maximum limit for these bonuses, so read up before you claim it.
Stake Not Returned Bets
These kinds of free bets are the most commonly available bets at sportsbooks. If the gambler wins the bet, only the winning amount is credited back to the account, and the stake amount is deducted. So, a ₹100 wager normally returns ₹500 to the punter when they win at 4/1. But when the wager is made using a Stake Not Returned Free bet, they would only receive ₹400.
Stake Returned Bets
Stake returned bets are the best free bets that Indian players can avail. These are rare because they offer an amazing deal to gamblers. The whole amount is returned to the punter when they win: the winnings, along with the stake amount. This is a true free bet, if there ever were one. Since there is no way for the sportsbook to profit from such bets, these are rarely given away to gamblers.
Bet Bundles
These offers are rare because they involve giving the gamblers multiple free bets when they meet certain conditions specified by the sportsbook. For example, there might be an offer where the punter might be asked to wager ₹5,000 on a single event. Once he does that, he would receive 3 free bets of ₹500 for cricket, football and horse racing.
Horse Racing Money Back
These are free bets offered in horse racing events. Gamblers are returned their wagered amounts if certain conditions are met. For example, the rules might say that your money will be returned if your horse falls. In case your house does end up falling, your money will be returned. These bets minimize the loss when you lose a wager.
Early Payout
These bets are slightly different from the rest of the bets that have been discussed here. You don’t have to wait for the completion of the match to know the winner when you make early payout bets. The payout is made even before the game ends, for certain situations specified by the sportsbook. For example, there are two teams in a football match. Let us suppose team A is better than team B. If team A gets ahead by 2 goals, the game is as good as over, because team B will not be able to catch up. So the bookmaker offers an early payout when team A goes ahead by 2 goals.
Existing Customer Free Bets
These bets are for the existing customers of the betting site. These are usually given to the players during festive seasons to multiply the joy. Certain apps might suddenly offer free bets to existing users during Holi or Diwali. The amount might be slightly higher than the welcome bonus free bets because the existing users have been around for a long time and proved their loyalty.
Free Bet Clubs
Free Bet Club is an extension of a loyalty program. If you wager a certain amount in a fixed period, you receive a free bet. For example, if a website has a policy that says gamblers who bet a total of ₹30,000 within 15 days, will be rewarded with a free bet. These bonuses are usually beneficial for medium to high rollers because the amount set by the sportsbook is on the higher end of the spectrum.
Free In-Play Bets
There are two kinds of bets that a punter can place in sporting events: pre-game and in-play. When you place your bets before the game starts, you are placing a pre-game bet. If you place your bets while the match is still going on, you place in-play bets. Sometimes, apps offer free in-play bets when you place a pre-game bet on a selected event. Keep in mind that these in-play free bets are limited to the sporting event on which you have already placed a pre-game wager.
Free Bets for Friends
This offer is more like a referral scheme. Gamblers who already have an account on the website can refer it to their friends. For each friend who creates an account, the existing punter receives free bets. There is usually a limit to these bonuses. For example, a sportsbook might offer ₹500 worth of free bets for each friend that you bring to the site, the maximum limit being 5. So if you get a 6th friend to join, you will not receive any free bet bonus.
How to Choose a Free Bet?
While there is no doubt that free bets might sound amazing, not all of them are to be trusted. All free bets come with attached terms and conditions and punters must ensure that they go through them carefully. There are certain questions that you should know the answers to before you choose a free bet, which has been discussed below:
- What is the expiration date of the free bet?
No app would offer free bets throughout the year. These are special offers, which can only be used for a limited period. So before you claim a free bet, make sure that you check what the expiration date for the bet is. If the date is too near, and you might be short on funds, it is better to skip claiming the bet.
- What is the amount of the free bet?
Since free bets are not very profitable for the betting apps offering them, the amount offered as free bets is usually not much. Even if it is a matched deposit bonus, there is an upper limit to the offer. For example, if an app says they will match your deposit 100% up to ₹5,000, it means you will only receive ₹5,000 even if you deposit a bigger amount. So before claiming a free bet bonus, compare the amounts offered by the different apps so that you can make the most out of your free bet.
- What are the wagering requirements for the free bet?
This is one of the most important factors that you need to check before claiming a free bet, or any other bonus offers for that matter. Wagering requirements are the number of times that you have to wager your winnings before you can withdraw them. For example, if the wagering requirements are 35x, you need to wager your winnings 35 times before you can withdraw it. So if you have won ₹100, you need to wager ₹3,500 before you can withdraw your original ₹100. If the amount is less, but the wagering requirements are too high, it is better to skip that free bet bonus.
How to Claim Free Bets?
If you like the idea of free bets, you are probably wondering how you can claim them. Well, don’t worry, it is very easy. Firstly, create an account and sign up with any of the bookmakers available across the internet. The ones mentioned in this article specialize in free bets, so if that is what you are looking for, it is better to create an account on any of these numerous sites mentioned here. If the site offers a no-deposit welcome bonus, you will get them as soon as the registration process is complete. Otherwise, you might need to deposit to claim your free bet welcome bonus. As an existing user, you might have to place a pre-game bet on a certain event or receive a free bet for making bets worth a specified amount.
Benefits of Free Bets
Human beings love freebies; there is no denying that. So there is no reason for punters to say no to free bets. Since you don’t have to wager your own money for the bets, you might be more relaxed about the bet. You can experiment with different strategies, which in turn will help you to improve your game. Gambling is not just about luck: you also need to understand the underlying factors. This knowledge only comes with practice. The fact that you will not have to pay even if you lose your bet, acts like a safety net. You can check out various other options and see what works, and what doesn’t.
Where to Find the Best Free Bet Bonuses?
1xBet
1xBet was founded in 2007, and is a popular site among Indian gambling audiences because of the generous promotion offers.
4raBet
4rabet, established in 2019, is a comparatively new gambling site, which is greatly liked by Indian bettors because of the numerous betting options that it provides.
Pros
- The casino also has an app to make gambling easier and smoother
- Great customer support services available 24/7
Cons
- Payment methods are limited
Play 4raBet
MostBet
MostBet was founded in 2009, and offers its services to 93 countries across the world, including India.
Pros
- Live betting feature is top-notch
- A wide range of payment options
Cons
- The withdrawal process is not smooth
Play MostBet
24Betting
24Betting is a gambling site that is exclusive to Indian users. It was established in 2020, so it is a recent addition to the iGaming world.
Pros
- Wide range of games.
- Offers great odds.
Play 24Betting
Purewin
Purewin was initially launched in 2019 Pure Casino, but incorporated a sportsbook and re-launched in 2021.
Pros
- Offers multiple Indian languages
- Offers a lot of banking options
Cons
- Sportsbook has limited options
Play Pure Win
Which Are the Best Apps with Free Bets in India 2023?
If you want to enjoy your betting experience by using free bets, you need to know the right place to look for them. Here is a list of the mobile betting apps that offer the best free bet bonuses in the betting markets in 2023:
Parimatch
PariMatch is one of the leading betting apps in the betting markets of India and offers a great range of betting options for users. It has events and offers exclusively meant for Indian users. Having been around since 1994, PariMatch caters to a large audience across the world. The minimum deposit amount is ₹500 (on selected payment methods) and the maximum limit is different for each payment method.
Pros
- It has a user-friendly interface
- They offer a great range of sports to bet
- PariMatch offers live betting
Cons
- It is not available in a lot of languages
Play Parimatch
DafaBet
Dafabet is a renowned betting site within the Indian market and offers an extensive range of sports betting opportunities for Indian players. You can easily conduct transactions in INR, with the minimum deposit being ₹500 and the maximum going up to ₹3,00,000. But these limits vary according to the mode of payment used, so read the rules carefully.
Pros
- Offers a wide range of sports to bet on, including kabaddi
- Punters can place their bets in Indian rupees
Cons
- The welcome bonus has a high wagering requirement
Play DafaBet
Bet365
Bet365 is a renowned name in the betting markets and entertains audiences from across the world. With a mobile app that works on Android as well as iOS devices, Bet365 offers an amazing interface that makes betting even more fun. Since they offer regular free bets, a large number of punters flock to their site.
Pros
- They offer an amazing range of sports to bet on
- They offer the option of live betting
- They offer multiple payment options and currencies including Indian Rupees
Cons
- Customer care services are not good
Play Bet365
MostBet
MostBet is one of the many betting sites in India which cater to Indian players. It has entered the Indian gambling market recently and is popular for accepting payments through Paytm.
Pros
- It is available in multiple languages
- It offers live betting
- Punters have access to a huge list of payment options
Cons
- Withdrawals take a long time to be processed
Play MostBet
What Sports Can I Use Free Bets On?
Once you earn free bets, it is time to use them. Free bets have limited use, because in most cases, they are only used for sports betting. Other betting games like slot games or table games like Baccarat and Roulette are out of the picture. But when it comes to sports, you can use them on pretty much every event that the sportsbook offers. All events are acceptable, unless the sportsbook mentions otherwise in the terms and conditions. So, you can use them to bet on the most popular sports, like your favorite team playing in the Indian Premier League, or your favorite team in La Liga. You can also explore events like horse racing or eSports like League of Legends, Valorant and others. In case the terms and conditions specify that there are only a few sports where you can use your free bet, check if the event of your choice is covered or not before claiming it.
Nowadays, the most trending as well as popular sports that you can try betting on are:
Football
One of the most popular sports in the world, football games have two teams competing to get their ball through the goalpost of the other team. To bet, you need to mention your team, the point spread and the amount you wish to wager on your ticket.
Cricket
Considered to be the gentleman’s game, cricket games have two teams who try to score the most runs by hitting the ball with their bats. For betting, bookmakers set a score for each team, and bettors wager on the fact whether the actual score will be above or below the estimate.
Hockey
Another team sport, hockey, has 11-member teams, who try to get their ball into the other team’s goal using wooden sticks. Bettors usually bet on the team that they think will win the match.
Horse Racing
Horse racing is an event where jockeys ride their horses and compete to finish first on a given course. For betting, punters usually try to predict the fastest horse in the race.
Tips to Use Free Bets Profitably
While there is no denying that free bets are a good deal, there are certain ways to make them more beneficial. Since free bet amounts are usually meager, punters might make the mistake of overlooking these bonuses, hoping for a bigger fish. Or they take it too casually because they have nothing to lose and make random wagers without any sort of planning. But when you are betting, you need to make the most of little opportunities. A free bet does not come by often, so you should make sure to use them when you get the chance. Here are some things to keep in mind while using a free bet:
Always Keep Reasonable Expectations When It Comes to Profit
If you are thinking of unrealistic figures of profits when you use a free bet to make your wager, you are the only one getting fooled. Keep in mind that the bookmaker has their profit to earn too. They will not give away free bets on games that have higher odds of winning. Oftentimes, the free bet amount is way too less to result in significant profits. So, don’t build castles in the air, and keep your profit expectations realistic.
Don’t Be Afraid to Try New and Different Options
If you have used free bets once or twice before, you know how these bets work. So try to chalk out a new strategy if you think a new strategy can help you earn a greater profit than your previous free bet winnings. betting is all about taking chances, but you also need to be creative with your chances. You never know what might work out, so try different strategies instead of using your free bets, in the same manner, every time.
Practice Makes a Man Perfect
After trying new strategies, if you hit something that works for you, stick to that strategy. If the betting app of your choice offers free bets frequently, you can make the most out of them by knowing what works. You can use free bets in several formats, so use the most successful strategy for the different formats. Although you might not make much, in the long run, you will end up earning great profits.
FAQ
Here are some of the most common questions asked by punters regarding free bets and how to claim them/ use them.
The process to get free bets is different for
different apps, so there is no set rule as to how to claim your free bet. If the app is offering a free bet promotion, go through the details of the offer. The process to get your free bets is mentioned there. You might need to sign up and create a new account if it is a welcome bonus, or you might get them during special sporting seasons as an existing user.
If you want to avail free bets frequently, you should keep a lookout for the most popular sportsbooks. Betway, ComeOn, and Sportsbet.io are some of the best betting sites which offer regular free bets to their users. The competition is pretty tough among these apps to bring in the most number of users to the site.
Once you have availed of a bonus bet on Sportsbet, you need to redeem it. To do that, go to the bet slip to place the bet, and click on the box that says 'Bonus Bet'. All your available free bet coupons will be shown there, so choose the one which you wish to redeem.
To get a free bet bonus without a deposit, you need to keep a lookout for a no-deposit free bet welcome bonus. As of now, the only betting app where you can avail of this offer is PariMatch. If you don't want to miss such offers, it is better to keep checking out the promotions listed by the various free betting apps in India.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, free bets are promotional offers which allow you the benefit of placing bets for free. These are great opportunities for punters, and should certainly not be missed. You might get them as a welcome bonus, or as a reward for an app download. There are so many types of free bets to choose from, so there is something for all the punters out there. Just make sure to read the terms and conditions so that you don’t end up claiming a bet that is not very advantageous. Check out the betting apps from our list to enjoy some of the best free bets available to Indian users.
