How to Use Free Bets for Sports Betting?

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The diversity of markets and bonuses has become increasingly crucial in the world of sports betting, helping users form a strong connection with available betting platforms, both online and in physical locations. This trend in advertising has evolved, with sportsbooks continuously attracting and retaining users through various promotions.

One of the most common promotional tools are the welcome bonuses, which are prevalent across sportsbooks. However, many bookmakers are now adopting the trend of offering free bets, both as welcome bonuses and as loyalty rewards for users who have been active on their platforms for a certain amount of time.

What are Free Bets?

Free bets in the American sports betting market are not always available and vary across different sportsbooks. They are essentially free wagers given as a benefit for registration or continued use of a platform. However, to earn the net benefit from these bets, the user must win them. For instance, if you bet 10 USD with American odds of +130, you wouldn’t receive the total 23 USD profit upon winning; instead, you would get a net profit of 13 USD.

The primary advantage for the user is the opportunity to bet without any risk, as the wager is fully sponsored by the sportsbook. However, to access these benefits, users must meet certain requirements set by each sportsbook, usually based on the time and capital deposited.

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How to Use Free Bets

Once you understand what free bets are, it's essential to know how they can be utilized. Generally, the process is straightforward, but sportsbooks may place restrictions on the markets and odds where these bets can be used. They are typically allowed on popular markets with odds above +100, as this also protects the sportsbook's capital by encouraging users to take slightly more risk.

Furthermore, free bets usually come with a specific timeframe for use and are not cumulative with other promotions. The absence of a rollover requirement for winnings to be deposited directly into a user's account is a significant advantage. However, it's crucial to read the specific terms and conditions of each sportsbook for these amounts to be claimed and withdrawn.

Additionally, depending on the sportsbook’s policy, free bets might be used in parlays, increasing both the risk and potential net winnings significantly.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Free Bets

The most evident advantage of using free bets is the lack of risk involved. If the bet is lost, nothing is lost financially. However, in case of a win, fulfilling various requirements to withdraw the capital can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on the user's perspective.

Many users might not prefer using these bonuses due to the complexities involved in fully utilizing them. However, this should be evaluated based on the specific terms of each sportsbook. Staying informed about the terms and conditions for using free bets where most advantageous is recommended.

Knowing When You Have Free Bets

To find out if you have available free bets, it's wise to monitor the email registered with the sportsbook, as it's their primary communication channel. Additionally, all such notifications are sent to the inbox within the sportsbook’s platform, so keeping an eye on these communication channels is important.

With sportsbooks that also offer an online casino, it is common that they will not allow your free bet funds for use on the casino side of their apps. This is important to remember when planning your betting strategy to increase your bankroll.

Finally, it's key to deposit funds only with reputable sportsbooks. While new betting sites with high standards do exist, special care should be taken to ensure that bonuses and legal verifications are in order, guaranteeing that free bets and other bonuses are awarded properly and timely. Often times these sportsbooks will pop up with too-good-to-be-true promos and you'll find that they're not regulated. 

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by Tyler Doty |