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Best Free Bets from South African Betting Websites

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Patrick Meyer
Patrick Meyer
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Are you a bettor interested in boosting your online betting experience with some juicy welcome offers? Then, you’ve come to the right place! With so many welcome bonuses available online, it's essential to find the best on the market. Free bets are among the most popular and rewarding bonuses at South African betting sites. 

Free bets are the gold standard in bookmaker promotions, available as both a welcome bonus for new bettors and as ongoing promotions for long-standing members. We have created this guide to provide you with insights on all you need to know about free bets and how to discover the best offers online.

Top 10 Betting Sites With Free Bets in 2024

What Is A Free Bet And How Does It Work?

Most betting sites in South Africa offer welcome bonuses to entice new bettors through their digital doors. This isn't done out of genuine generosity but as a marketing strategy to compete with other bookies in the same market. Bookmakers provide a variety of welcome bonuses and typically test them out in a dynamic manner. However, one of the most popular incentives available to bettors is the free bet offer.

A free bet is also one of many promotional tools betting sites use to retain existing customers. As the name implies, a free bet is a bet that you place for free! The bookmaker pays for the stake, and any subsequent winnings are yours to keep, subject to the terms and conditions. However, it’s worth noting that the winnings don’t include the stake money. For example, if you place an R100 free bet on an outcome with odds of 3/1, you won’t receive R400 – you’ll receive R300 in winnings.

The value of the free bet will vary depending on the promotion and the sportsbook operator. To use a free bet offer, you must first fulfil the bonus requirements. This could include registering as a new player with the bookmaker, depositing funds into your account, or wagering on a specific sporting event.

What Should You Look For When Choosing Free Bets?

Free bets are great rewards for South African players interested in trying out a new bookie. However, there are some important details a bettor should look out for before claiming the offer. Below are a few things to consider:

You need to confirm the min deposit required to trigger the free bet. Consider the minimum deposit amount in relation to the size of the free bet offer. This is the golden ratio when looking for high-quality free bet bonuses; it shows how good a given promotion truly is. For example, a minimum deposit of R200 for an R50 bonus is less impressive and not worthwhile compared to a minimum deposit of R50 for an R100 free bet.

Bettors should review the wagering requirements for the available free bet. A high wagering requirement will make it difficult for you to withdraw any winnings, while a low one increases the likelihood that you will be able to cash out earnings from the free bonus funds.

The exclusions of the free bets should also be considered by players. A good free sports bet is one that can be used in a variety of markets and provides a lot of flexibility.

What Are The Best Free Bets For Existing Customers?

Free bets aren't just for new bettors looking to sign up with a new bookmaker; existing customers can also benefit from the offer, with bookies looking to increase retention and reward loyalty. 

  • Loyalty programs - Regular bettors are frequently rewarded with free bets for consistently betting with a sportsbook. These are usually credited once a customer has bet a certain amount, whether they have won or lost!

  • Enhanced Odds - Enhanced odds offers for existing bettors are typically given on a smaller scale than new customer offers. It allows bettors to claim a free bet to use on an event with enhanced odds. The enhanced odds available to bookmakers cover a broad range of events rather than just the biggest events in South Africa. This means that bettors can receive free bets on upcoming World Cup matches and the Rugby World Cup.

  • Acca Insurance - Many bookies refund your initial stake, sometimes as a bonus bet, up to a specific amount if your accumulator loses. This usually applies to one of Acca's losers, and a certain number of legs are required to qualify for the offer.

Types of Free Bets

Several varieties of free bet welcome offers are available to South African bettors. From Enhanced odds to no deposit free bets. Below, we've highlighted the main free bet offers available at the best South African bookmakers.

Many consider this to be the best free bet because you don’t need to make a deposit or wager to claim the offer, thereby eliminating all risks associated with your funds.

The matched deposit free bet is the most popular type of free bet offered as a welcome bonus in South Africa. This type of free bet is given after making an initial qualifying deposit or placing an initial qualifying bet with a bookmaker. Therefore, bettors can expect their free bet to be issued immediately after settling their qualifying deposit/bet. 

Enhanced odds allow bettors to wager on an event with highly inflated odds. These promotions provide better odds on a sporting event, so 7/14 odds become 20/1. They are almost too good to pass up, resulting in a flood of new member sign-ups at sportsbooks.

This is also common amongst bookmakers. With this incentive, you will only receive the winnings from the bet and not the stake itself. There may be a wagering requirement on winnings, but for the most part, you can withdraw them right away.

How Can You Get Free Bets?

Players who take advantage of a free bet offer are usually required to open an account with the bookmaker, as these offers are intended to attract new customers. However, existing customers also have access to free bets as part of the sportsbook’s promotional package. To qualify for these free bets, you must meet specific requirements. 

Depending on the type of free bet, players should receive the offer immediately after signing up or after fulfilling the bonus requirements - such as making a deposit or betting on an upcoming sporting event. The bets usually have a validity period during which they can be used. All wagering requirements must be met during this period, or the free bets will be forfeited. 

Understanding The Terms and Conditions     

The most important advice we can give you when taking advantage of free bets is to read the terms and conditions. Bookmakers use these promotions to entice customers; however, they always come with conditions. So it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with everything written in the T&Cs. The key terms to look for are:

Validity Period

There is usually a time limit on the welcome offers, limiting the amount of time that free bets can be used. Free bet bonuses are typically valid for 7 to 30 days and must be used within this time frame to avoid forfeiting the entire welcome bonus. Therefore, players should ensure they use all their free bet funds before the deadline.

Minimum Deposit

When claiming a free bet bonus, bettors are frequently required to make a min deposit to meet the first qualifying criteria. The minimum deposit required is usually between R5 and R10. 

Wagering Requirements

The wagering requirement, expressed as a multiple, specifies how many times the deposit and/or bonus funds must be wagered before making a withdrawal. For example, if an R20 free bet bonus has a 3x wagering requirement, it must be wagered thrice. This means that before you can withdraw any bonus funds, a total of R60 must be used as bets.

Minimum Qualifying Odds

When placing the qualifying bet, sportsbooks will frequently include a minimum odds value that punters must match in order to be eligible for the free bet. This value is typically around 1.5, implying that the initial wager must be on odds of at least 1.5. The entire welcome offer may be jeopardised if bettors do not meet these qualifying odds.

Which Are The Best Sports Betting Sites For Free Bets?

There are several sports betting sites offering free bets. However, not all can be considered reliable. Regardless of how enticing the incentive is, ensure that the sportsbook is licensed and regulated by appropriate authorities in order to ascertain the safety of your funds and information. There are other factors to consider, which will be discussed later in the article.

Best Free Bets Available With Low Deposit

Supabets: Bet R50, get R50 free signup bonus 

Hollywoodbets: R25 Sign Up bonus (No Deposit Required)

Gbets: R25 Sports Bet on Sign Up (No Deposit)

Betway: Bet at least R10, get 100% match up to R1000 as a Free Bet

Playabets: Bet at least R50, get 100% up to R1000 free as a bonus

Pros and Cons of Free Bets

Like IconPros
  • Check IconIt offers you an extra gaming time
  • Check IconThere’s no risk involved
  • Check IconExplore new betting strategies
  • Check IconIt could be used to build your bankroll
DisLike IconCons
  • Close IconQualifying terms can be challenging to achieve
  • Close IconLimitations on the markets you can place your bets on
  • Close IconIt could lead to gambling addiction

Best Betting Offers for Existing Customers for April 2024

There are several betting offers for you to claim as an existing customer this December. All you need to do is be on the lookout and subscribe to the site’s newsletter, so you can get first-hand information whenever there's a promo coming up. 

How To Choose a Betting Site You Can Trust?

We understand that when it comes to real money gambling, you want the best value for your money. As a result, you should scrutinise the gambling site using a variety of criteria to ensure that you receive nothing short of the best gambling experience. Some important factors to consider in choosing the site that best suits you are listed below.

License & Security

There are several online betting sites trying to scam bettors. To be safe, only gamble on a platform that holds a license from top South African gambling regulators, such as the National Gambling Board (NGB). They are responsible for ensuring that fairness and safety are maintained. You’ll find information on the website’s licensing displayed on the homepage. 

Bonuses & Promotional Offers

Bonuses help boost your bankroll and chances of winning. So, look for sites with lucrative rewards. Note that an offer may look attractive but with strict terms attached to it. Ensure you go through the terms and conditions of the bonuses before claiming them.

Payment Options Available

A reliable betting site will provide South African players with a diverse range of payment methods to choose from. This way, you’ll be able to select your preferred banking option without settling for a slow alternative.

Quality of Customer Service

You'll likely encounter issues or have questions while using the betting site. This is why you should consider the quality of the support service and ensure that the bookie offers communication channels such as email, live chat, and phone support. You can also check if there’s a FAQ section with answers to gamblers’ most-asked questions. With this, you won’t necessarily have to contact support at all times.

The Takeaway

Free bets are a great way to try out new betting sites in South Africa without putting your money at risk, giving you a little more bang for your buck. However, to take full advantage of the offer, you must be familiar with the terms and conditions, as well as the wagering requirements governing these promotions.

Free bets are very beneficial to punters; hence, we advise you to always be on the lookout for the best free bet offers in order to save money and potentially win some huge cash prizes with the bookies' money.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question Icon

Are free bets actually free?

The term "free bet" refers to the fact that punters do not have to part with any of their own funds. Instead, stakes are covered by free bet tokens rather than their betting balance. The catch with the offer is that there is almost always a cost involved before you can earn one, and most free bets cannot be cashed out.

Question Icon

Can I withdraw winnings from my free bet?

The terms and conditions of each free bet offer will inform bettors on how winnings from the sportsbook can be withdrawn. When you receive a free bet from a sportsbook, there are usually some restrictions on how to use this wager. In most cases, the free bet stake is not returned along with any winnings.

Question Icon

How can I get free bets?

There are several ways in which you can get free bets from bookmakers. The first is to claim welcome offers, while the second method involves viewing and claiming ongoing promotions available on the website.

Author Patrick Meyer portrait
Patrick Meyer

Product Owner and Editor

Patrick is the face of Onlinegamblingsa.co.za - he joined us years ago as a freelance writer and came up through the ranks to become an indispensable part of ...continue reading

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