Our Guide to Free Bets for punters in Ireland for 2026
What are Free Bets?
Free bets refer to the welcome bonuses and sign-up offers that many online bookmakers provide to new customers as an incentive to start betting. In today’s competitive online betting market, bookmakers go the extra mile to attract new users, which means nearly all of them offer some form of free bet promotion.
At Irish Free Bet, we review all these welcome bonuses and sign-up offers from various bookmakers, giving you a clear overview of what’s available. We break down how to claim each free bet, highlight the differences among the offers, and provide in-depth reviews of each online bookmaker. This way, you can easily identify the best site for your betting needs, knowing both the advantages and any potential drawbacks.
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Different Types of Free Bets and Bookmaker Offers
Free Bet Offers
These are the most common welcome offers available. They’re straightforward: after signing up and placing your first bet, the bookmaker matches your wager with a free bet of equal value. For example, if you bet €10, you might receive a €10 free bet. Some bookmakers now offer even more generous deals, such as betting €5 to receive €30 in free bets. Remember to check the terms and conditions for each offer to ensure it fits your betting style.
1st Deposit Matched Bonuses
Similar to free bet offers, these bonuses match your first deposit—often at a 100% rate up to a certain amount. The key difference is that they usually come with a rollover requirement, meaning you need to wager the bonus amount a few times before it’s credited or available for withdrawal.
No Lose Bets and Losing Bet Refunds
These offers provide a safety net on your first bet. If your initial wager loses, the bookmaker will refund your stake, either as a free bet or sometimes as cash. This type of offer lets you take a chance on bets with higher odds, knowing that you won’t lose your money if the bet doesn’t win.
Double Odds or Boosted Odds
While less common, these offers can significantly increase your potential returns. With these bonuses, your first bet’s odds are doubled or boosted to a preset level. For instance, a bet placed at 2/1 could be enhanced to 4/1, increasing your payout if the bet is successful.
Enhanced Odds Offers
These are often available on select events, such as a major football match, horse race, or boxing fight. With a small stake—say €1—you can access unusually high odds. The winnings are typically credited as free bets, although some bookmakers may now offer cash payouts.
No Deposit Free Bets
These are considered the most attractive, but are quite rare. With no deposit free bets, you receive a free bet simply by signing up — no deposit required. They tend to be in high demand and may not be available for long, so if you see one, it’s worth claiming quickly.
Each type of offer has its unique benefits and requirements. Be sure to read the details carefully to choose the option that best suits your needs.
Why Claim Free Bets and Welcome Offers?
Claiming free bets and welcome offers is a smart way to boost your betting without extra cost. Imagine placing a €10 bet and getting €30 in free bets from a new bookmaker — it’s a win-win situation!
Additionally, sticking to just one bookmaker might mean missing out on better odds and higher returns elsewhere. Different bookies often offer varying odds on the same event, so having multiple accounts can help you secure the best possible deals. By taking advantage of free bets when you sign up with new bookmakers, you not only diversify your betting options but also increase your potential for higher returns.
If you have stumbled upon our site and are in the UK, then you can head to our sister site Free Bets UK, which has a full guide to all the best UK free bets and bookmakers welcome offers.
Is there anything else to know about claiming Free Bets?
We have mentioned above that all welcome bonuses will come with certain terms and conditions, and we always advise that you read through them first, so you don’t make any mistakes in claiming these offers. The online bookmakers are very strict when it comes to these terms, so you do need to keep within those terms. They are also very sharp on people trying to abuse their bonuses, so you will not be able to join a betting site more than once and claim their welcome offers twice. They will block you joining or close your account.
Make sure when you are participating in a free bet offer make sure you have all bases covered as you need to look out for things such as minimum odds, stakes, and deposit methods. Also, check when these free bets expire, as sometimes you will only have a few days you use them before they expire.
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Why Trust Irish Free Bets?
At Irish Free Bets, we take sports betting seriously. Our team has over 15 years of experience in the online betting industry, and we’re dedicated to bringing you only the best and most reputable free bets and offers from trusted bookmakers. We carefully select only those betting sites that meet our high standards— if a bookmaker isn’t 100% reputable, you won’t find them listed here.
We make sure every bookmaker featured on Irish Free Bets is trustworthy and safe to use. Furthermore, we explain the terms and conditions for each free bet offer so you know exactly how to claim your bonuses when you register with a new account. With extensive experience across various countries and countless online betting sites reviewed, we know what Irish betting fans are looking for.
Finding the Best Free Bet Offers
Choosing the best free bet isn’t just about finding the biggest bonus—it’s about matching the offer to your personal betting style. For example, if you prefer placing small bets on horse racing, an offer like “bet €5 and get €20 in free bets” might be perfect for you. On the other hand, if you like larger bets or enjoy some online casino action along with your sports bets, a different offer might suit you better.
We recommend reading our detailed reviews of each bookmaker to help you decide which free bet offer best fits your style. After all, the best free bet for you is one that complements how you bet, whether that’s on horse racing, football, or another sport. Enjoy exploring your options, and happy betting!
FAQs about Free Bets
What is a free bet?
A free bet is a promotional offer provided by a bookmaker or an online betting site that allows you to place a bet without using your own money. It is essentially a chance to make a wager without risking any of your own funds. Free bets are often used as incentives to attract new customers or as rewards for existing customers.
Will my free bet expire?
Just about all free bets will expire at some point. Sky Bet once made a big noise about their free bets not expiring, but even their welcome free bet offer has a 30-day expiry. So, just assume your free bets will expire and check the terms and conditions first to make sure you know how long you have got to use them.
How many free bets can I claim?
Simply put, as many as you want. You can sign up to as many online bookies as you want and take advantage of their free bets and other welcome offers. However, please remember you will only be allowed 1 betting account with each bookmaker, so you won’t be able to claim the same free bet continuously.
Can I withdraw my winnings from free bets?
You most certainly can, if you bet wins using free bets you will be able to withdraw your winnings. However, the free bet stake will not be included in any winnings. Also, please note, some free bets, usually matched deposit bonuses, may require you to bet through your free bet a number of terms before you can withdraw your winnings, so always check the T’s and C’s first.
What can I use my free bets on?
Typically, free bets are quite relaxed on what betting events you can use your free bets on, however, they aren’t all the same. Make sure you read fully the terms and conditions to see what, if any, restrictions there are so you know what you can and can’t be betting on.
Can I cash out my free bets?
No, online bookmakers won’t allow you to cash out any bets that are using a free bet offer.
Will I be able to use free bet offers with any other promotions?
Again, the answer will be no. In the free bets terms and conditions, it will state that free bets can not be used in conjunction with any other betting offer or promotion.