At ClubSport, our goal is to provide readers with the most accurate and honest information on bookmakers. We have four core values that guide our work:
- Experience. Dedicated experts with years of evaluating UK bookies and their markets. We've seen bookies rise and fall.
- Independence. We're not afraid to highlight flaws regardless of a bookie's status.
- Honesty. We objectively assess sportsbooks as we believe that the numbers don't lie and flashy betting bonuses tend to evoke losses and jitters for players — we are open and upfront about all this.
- Simplicity. We were once average punters. We know how vital it is to explain even complex topics in clear, simple terms.
We checked for Free bets in Canada meticulously, and so we have a couple of disclaimers for you:
- Betway promotes an offer, but only customers who reside in Ontario are eligible.
- Mr Green has Free bets mentioned on their site here and there, but not on its 'Promotions' page anymore. So there are no such offers for January 2024, as our research showed.
Top 4 Canada Bookmakers with Free Bets: Review
How We Evaluate the Best Free Bets
When it comes to finding the best Free bet offers in Canada, there's a lot more to consider than just the surface appeal. We dive deep into the details to ensure you're getting the most value and the fairest terms. Here’s how we break it down:
Offer Size
The size of the offer is usually the first thing that catches your eye, but remember, bigger isn't always better. It's crucial to balance the offer's size with the attached conditions. As of January 2024, the largest Free bet offer for Canadian customers comes from William Hill, boasting a substantial $300. This offer stands out not just for its size but also for its competitive terms, making it an exceptional deal.
Time to Claim
There are two critical time frames to consider: the time you have from your deposit to place your qualifying bet and receive the Free bet, and the window you have to place the Free bet itself. These time limits can significantly influence the overall value of the offer. Usually, you'll have 30 days to place your first qualifying bet, and 7 to 30 days to use Free bets you got as a bonus.
Minimum Deposit and Qualifying Bet Size
The smaller the deposit required, the more accessible and attractive the offer. Sometimes, it's important to distinguish between Minimum Deposit and Minimum Bet Size due to the specifics of certain bonuses. Make sure to deposit enough to make a qualifying bet.
Minimum Odds
The odds attached to a Free bet can greatly affect your risk and potential return. Ideally, you want offers with lower minimum odds, which increase your chances of wagering on a likely outcome.
There is no universal balance between risk and reward, and many people tend to use Free bets for wagers with higher odds and lower probabilities than they would normally place. We presume, the best way to assess risk is to treat Free bets as your money from the perspective of risk assessment. That way, you will be able to analyze sporting events and the prospects of your opponents using familiar methods. This usually leads to better results.
Eligible Methods of Payment
Not all deposit methods are eligible, and this information isn't always transparent in the terms and conditions. To avoid disappointment, we recommend using universally accepted methods like bank cards.
Livetime Value
While welcome offers are eye-catching, the ongoing value for regular bettors often provides more worth in the long run. An excellent example of sustained value is ComeOn's loyalty program. Active players can receive up to three Free bets every week.
What is Free Bet?
It is essentially a bonus offered by bookmakers, allowing you to place a bet without risking your own money. It’s like having a voucher to place a wager; if your bet wins, you receive the winnings, but not the stake of the Free bet.
And What are Bonus Bets?
Bonus bets are similar to Free bets but offer more flexibility. With a bonus bet, you receive a set amount of 'bonus money' that you can use to place multiple bets, in parts, rather than as a single wager. In most Bet365 offers, you can choose your stake and the events you want to wager on, effectively spreading your risks.
Advantages of Free Bets
There are several advantages compared to cash bonuses:
- No Initial Risk: You can place a bet without risking your own money.
- Opportunity to Explore: They are a great way to try out new betting strategies or explore different betting markets without personal financial loss.
- Immediate Profit: If your Free bet wins, you get to keep the winnings (minus the stake), offering a chance for profit without any wagering reqs attached.
- Lower Entry Barriers: They often have lower entry requirements compared to cash bonuses, making them accessible to a wider range of bettors.
However, it’s worth noting that cash bonuses are usually larger than Free bets, which can be more appealing to some bettors. With this, cash bonuses might require a larger initial deposit or have more stringent wagering requirements.
Popular Free bets Offers in Canada
Compared to most other countries where we analyze bookmaker promotions, Canadian Free bets tend to be significantly larger. Our research revealed the following variations:
- Matched Free bets: This type of offer matches the amount of your first bet. A prime example is William Hill Canada's welcome offer. When a new customer deposits and places their first bet (minimum $20, maximum $300) on sports they receive a matched Free bet up to $300, regardless of the bet's outcome.
- Risk-Free bets: These bets allow you to place a wager with the assurance that, if the bet loses, you'll receive your stake back as a Free bet. This will give you a second chance to win. An example from our earlier discussion is the NFL offer from 888sport. In this promotion, you can place a bet in the NFL using the bet builder. If the bet loses, you get reimbursed up to $20.
- Free Bet Clubs are another facet of sports betting, offering regular bettors an opportunity to earn consistent rewards. Typically, a Loyalty Club requires you to place a certain number of bets or wager a specific amount within a set time frame, often weekly, to receive a Free bet. In general, bonuses are small, but if you bet a lot, they can be very valuable: you will sooner or later reap more benefits from receiving them every week than from any welcome offer, however generous.
Free Bets - Recommendations
These offers can be taken advantage of in the following ways:
- Diversifying Bookmaker Choices: Loyalty to a single bookmaker isn't always beneficial when it comes to Free bets. These transparent bonuses, often without wagering requirements, are best utilized by registering with multiple bookmakers. By spreading your activity across various sites, you increase your chances of winning.
- Balancing Bets Across Platforms: One straightforward mathematical approach is to place opposing bets on different sites, ensuring a win on one of them. This hedging strategy, while not formally prohibited, isn't favored by bookmakers and could be frowned upon if overused. Therefore, while this method can be effective in securing guaranteed returns, it's advisable to use it sparingly.
- Value Your Free Bets Like Real Money: Often, bettors take higher risks with bonus credits than they would with their own money. However, considering these bets as part of your bankroll and making thoughtful, researched bets can lead to better results.
- Understand the Terms and Conditions: Each Free bet comes with its own set of rules. Understand the minimum odds and the time limit for using. Knowing these details helps in making informed betting decisions and prevents any surprises regarding bet settlement.
- Use Free Bets on Familiar Markets: While it's tempting to use Free bets on high-odds or unfamiliar markets for potential big wins, it's generally more effective to bet on sports and markets you are knowledgeable about. Your familiarity with the sport or market can significantly increase your chances of making a successful bet.
Free Bets Canada FAQs
What is the largest Free Bet available in Canada?
Based on the research conducted by ClubSport, the largest Free bet available in Canada is from William Hill. This offer grants a Free bet up to $300, making it one of the most substantial in the market. To access this offer, new users must use С300 promo code when registering.
Are Free bets truly free, or are there hidden costs?
While there's no direct cost attached to these bonuses, obtaining them typically involves initial steps like funding your account and placing qualifying bets. Truly no-deposit offers are quite rare; our Canada-wide search didn't yield any bookmakers providing such bonuses.
Can I withdraw winnings from a Free Bet immediately?
Typically, the winnings can be withdrawn, but the original stake is not returned. Some bookmakers might impose wagering requirements that need to be met before withdrawing these winnings.