Currently, there are approximately 175 licensed online bookmakers in the UK, and nearly all of them have betting welcome offers. Bonuses and Free Bets allow you to place extra wagers without risking your own money. We've analysed the terms of all the major sportsbooks to find the best deals, so check back regularly to see which bonuses are currently available before you register.
Best Betting Welcome Offers
- All
- New Players
- Existing












































Other bonuses




Top 10 Sports Betting Welcome Offers
Betfred - £50 in Free Bets
Wager £10, get £50 in Free Bets. This promo provides a 500% value in return for 3 x £10 standard sports Free Bets, plus 2 x £10 accumulator-specific ones. Minimum odds evens (1/1), 7-day expiry, no wagering requirements on winnings.
William Hill - £40 in Free Bets
Reliable value from an established operator with accessible 1/2 minimum odds. Wager £10, get £40 in Free Bets as 4 x £10 denominations. 7-day expiry on the bonus, no wagering requirements on winnings. You must use each £10 Free Bet in full.
Unibet - £40 Money Back + £10 Casino
Up to £40 in money back if your first stake loses, plus a £10 casino bonus. Sports element requires a 3x wagering requirement at 2/5 minimum odds within 7 days. The casino bonus has a 50x wagering requirement.
Sky Bet - £30 in Free Bets
Bet just £0.05 to get £30 in Free Bets as 3 x £10 tokens. This represents extraordinary value with minimal risk, requiring even odds (1/1) or higher minimum odds. 30-day expiry, no wagering requirements on winnings.
888Sport - £30 Sports + £10 Casino
Wager £10, get £30 sports Free Bets (3 x £10) plus £10 casino bonus. Sports Free Bets have a 7-day expiry with no wagering requirements, but the casino bonus requires 40x wagering within 14 days. Minimum odds 1/2 for qualifying stake.
Paddy Power - £30 in Free Bets
Bet £5, get £30 in Free Bets with a generous 30-day expiry. Minimum odds evens (1/1), no wagering requirements on winnings.
Betfair - £50 in Free Bets
Stake £10, get £50 in Free Bets, restricted to Bet Builders and multiple bets only. High value but limited to specific bet types that suit combination wagering strategies. Minimum odds evens (1/1), 30-day claim window.
Coral - £20 in Free Bets
Lower absolute value but excellent percentage return of 400% with reduced entry requirements. Bet £5, get £20 as 4 x £5 Free Bets. Minimum odds 1/2, 7-day expiry.
Bet365 - £30 in Bet Credits
Bet £10, get £30 in credits with 1/5 minimum odds. Lower odds requirement reduces risk, but bet credits have more restrictions than standard Free Bets. 30-day expiry periods.
Ladbrokes - £20 in Free Bets
Wager £5 and receive £20. Minimum odds 1/2, 14-day claim window, 7-day Free Bet expiry, no wagering requirements on winnings. Standard Entain terms are given, with shared ownership with Coral.
Our Take
Betfred's £50 package features the best value for money, while Sky Bet's 5p qualifier is very accessible. Betting sites' welcome offers, such as those from Unibet and 888Sport, are great for players who like both sports and casino games. The wagering requirements for their casino games are high, but the sports betting options are competitive.
If you're just starting, it's better to focus on lower minimum odds rather than bigger bonuses, as they allow for more flexibility when wagering.
What Are Betting Welcome Offers?
When you open an account and place your first bets, UK bookmakers give you a bonus called a "welcome bonus" to encourage you to use the site. These promotions are there to demonstrate platform quality and encourage trial usage across different sports and markets. They are usually in the form of Free Bets, bonus funds, or enhanced odds.
The most common format of sports betting welcome offers involves "matched betting", where operators match or multiply a customer's first qualifying stake with Free Bets. For example, if you place a £10 wager, you'll get £30 in bonus stakes to use later.
Bookmakers deliberately lose money on these promotions at first. A £30 Free Bet usually costs the bookie £15-20, but they recoup this through the customer's future value. On average, a UK punter who claims a welcome deal will stake £200-400 a year, making the initial promotional cost profitable in the long run.
You may have heard that specific payment methods are not eligible for the bookmaker's welcome offers. These exclusions are primarily for fraud prevention, not just verification. Requiring debit card deposits creates a traceable audit trail that deters professional bonus hunters who typically operate multiple accounts across different bookies.
How to Choose the Best Bookies' Welcome Offers
In Short
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Don’t chase headline numbers – check the terms.
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Calculate expected value, not just bonus size.
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Wait for significant events to get boosted welcome offers.
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Select betting limits according to the selected events.
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Deposit sensibly – too much can backfire.
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Check your limits before playing high stakes.
To choose the best bookies' welcome offers, consider more than just the headline bonus amount. The best offers aren't always the best for you due to different terms, restrictions, and ease of use.
Work out the actual expected value of your proposed deals. For example, a £30 Free Bet with evens minimum odds has roughly £15 expected value (50% conversion rate), while a £20 Free Bet at 1/2 odds has only £6.67 expected value (33% conversion rate). Most players don't realise that lower minimum odds mean Free Bets are worth less.
The value of seasonal specials can fluctuate significantly. Welcome bonuses usually go up by 30-50% during big sporting events like the UCL, World Cup or Cheltenham Festival. If you don't need to stake right away, it's often a good idea to wait for the best times to make your wagers.
The time limits on these deals affect how easily they can be used. If you have a long time to make a claim (14-30 days), you can set up an account and make an initial deposit in peace. You have 7-30 days to use your Free Bet. Shorter windows suit active punters, while more extended periods accommodate occasional users.
Bookies use your deposit method and amount to profile your wagering potential. Larger initial deposits often trigger enhanced customer service treatment and access to VIP programs sooner. However, depositing significantly more than the minimum required for bonuses may flag you as a potentially problematic high-roller.
Maximum stake limits cap your potential winnings from Free Bets. While limits of £10-£50 are acceptable for occasional wagers, they might frustrate you if you're looking for bigger stakes. Combined with minimum odds requirements, these restrictions indicate how much you can realistically win.
Types of Welcome Offers from Bookies
UK bookmakers deliver several distinct welcome bonus categories, each with different structures, terms, and value propositions:
Offer Type |
How It Works |
Typical Value |
Wagering Requirements |
---|---|---|---|
Free Bet Offers |
Place a qualifying stake, receive Free Bets |
£20-£50 |
None on winnings (1x turnover on Free Bet) |
Deposit Bonuses |
Match the percentage of the first deposit |
50-200% up to £100 |
8-35x (reducing to max 10x in 2026) |
Enhanced Odds |
Artificially boosted odds on specific selections |
5/1-20/1 instead of short odds |
Winnings often come as Free Bets |
Accumulator Insurance |
Refund if exactly one leg fails |
£10-£50 refund |
None |
Cashback Offers |
Percentage of losses refunded |
10-25% of losses |
None on cash, 1x on Free Bets |
Risk-Free Bets |
The stake will be refunded if the first wager loses |
Equal to the qualifying stake |
1x on a refund Free Bet |
Final Thoughts on UK Betting Sites Welcome Offers
For those seeking the most advantageous current opportunities, focus on bookie welcome offers that provide a substantial Free Bet amount, reasonable terms, and easy-to-meet requirements.
When looking at the incentives available, it's better to focus on Free Bet structures over deposit bonuses. Look for bookies that have a good reputation (and, of course, a UKGC license), provide strong customer protection, and have reasonable requirements to join.
When selecting welcome promos, consider your typical betting style, the level of risk you're comfortable with, and which platform you prefer. Think about how good the customer service is, how many markets there are, and long-term loyalty programmes, along with any promotional offers. Welcome bonuses are one-time deals, while the quality of the platform affects your ongoing sessions.
FAQ
E-wallet exclusions relate to anti-fraud measures and identity verification requirements. Card deposits provide clearer audit trails and customer verification, supporting regulatory compliance and reducing promotional abuse.
Yes, each licensed sportsbook offers a separate welcome bonus. You can legally claim multiple sportsbook or betting app welcome offers, though each restricts eligibility to new customers only.
Unused Free Bets expire worthlessly after the specified period (typically 7-30 days). No extensions are provided, and expired bonuses cannot be recovered or converted to cash. So there'll be no second chance.
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