Free Bets & Free Betting Offers (2023)

Free Bets & Betting Offers in Canada (2023)

Free bets are a promotion offered by many Canadian sportsbooks and casinos. This bonus is as simple as it sounds - if you meet the requirements, you get a free bet or betting credit!

This incentive helps draw customers to sportsbooks and online casinos. It can also mean big payouts for users who get to place a bet without any risk of losing their own money.

Our free bets & betting offers list is updated daily to include over $5000 in sign up bonuses for players from Canada. All of the betting sites in our list are legal and safe, and accept deposits in Canadian Dollars.

Many of the free bets and betting offers are exclusive to BettingGuide.com. Click our "Claim" button to take advantage of these exclusive bonuses!

Free bets are offered on the following gambling platforms: 

• Desktop 
• Mobile 
• Betting Apps

There are often deposit requirements that must be met to receive a free bet. Typically, this includes a minimum deposit. However, it’s possible to find sportsbooks and online casinos that offer no deposit free bets.  

Want to take advantage of the free bets at Canadian sportsbooks and casinos? Always check to see if a free bet is applied to your account automatically or if you need to opt-in. This will prevent you from missing out on a free bet!  

Free Bets for New Customers 

Free bet bonuses for new customers are the most common. To receive this type of bonus, customers must: 

1. Sign up for an account 
2. Provide a payment method 
3. Make a deposit into their account 
4. Place a minimum bet 

Free Bets for Existing Customers 

Online casinos and sportsbooks also offer existing customers free bets. This is a good way to retain users and reward them for their loyalty.  

As an existing customer in Canada, look for the following free bets and betting offers: 

• Email Offers - Canadian customers are often sent betting offers and other promotions via email. These emails include a promotion code that can be used to cash in on the deal!
• Special Event Offers - when big events are happening, like the Superbowl, betting sites want you to bet on their site. Therefore, before big events, betting sites often send out bonuses and free bets to existing customers. This encourages users to place bets on the site and benefits gamblers as well!
• Loyalty Bonus - many online sportsbooks and casinos offer existing customers free bets from time to time with no strings attached. This is a token of appreciation for remaining a loyal customer.
• Deposit Match Bets - like new customers, existing customers can also benefit from match bets. When you receive a deposit match bonus, the betting site will match a certain percentage of your next deposit. You can then use this free money to place free bets. For example, if you received a 100% deposit match bonus and you deposited $100, you’d get $100 in free bets. 

Keep an eye out because many online betting sites offer frequent match bets for existing customers!

Keep in mind that to get free bets as an existing customer you may have to:  

• Deposit a certain amount - e.g. match bonus with a $100 deposit 
• Place a bet - e.g. make a $25 bet and receive a $10 bet free  

What are Free Bets and Betting Offers?

Free bets are a type of betting offer. There are also several other types of bonuses, including risk-free bets, matched deposits, and no deposit bonuses.

On this page, we will explain each type of betting offer, and provide a guide on how to claim each offer, how to spot if the offer is good or bad, and which terms and conditions to look for when choosing your betting offer.

Free bets - A free bet is a set amount of money that is given to you for free to place a bet and potentially win real money with.

Betting offers - Betting offer is the umbrella term for all types of bonuses which bookmakers offer to pull in new customers or to try and retain existing customers.

Important Terms and Conditions Explained

There are several important terms and conditions you need to look at before committing to any free bets or betting offers.

1. Bonus code (if required) and where the bonus can be used (sportsbook or casino)
2. Any deposit restrictions for the bonus (e.g. e-wallets not always accepted)
3. The minimum deposit amount (if required)
4. Minimum qualifying odds to place or unlock the betting offer
5. The wagering requirements to unlock the funds for withdrawal
6. How long the bonus is valid (typically 7 - 30 days)

Check our operator reviews for guides on how to claim each betting offer.

Bonus Code

Be sure to look for a bonus code that you will need to enter during your registration. Not all free bets and betting offers have bonus codes, but it is important to check for one. We list all of the sports and casino bonus codes in our operator reviews and have guides for how to claim and use each betting offer.

Deposit Restrictions

Several betting offers have deposit restrictions that are mostly linked to e-wallets such as Skrill, Neteller, and prepaid cards like Paysafecard. You will need to deposit funds using other payment methods including Interac, bank transfer, debit cards, or other e-wallets (if possible) to claim these betting offers.

Minimum Deposit Amount, Qualifying Odds & Wagering Requirements

You will need to deposit a minimum amount on your first deposit to claim most betting offers.

In some cases, you’ll also need to place a bet at minimum odds to claim a free bet offer. This may mean wagering a minimum amount on your first bet.

Betting offers often have wagering requirements as well. Wagering requirements refer to how much you need to wager the bonus to unlock the funds for withdrawal. You will usually have to wager a set amount of money in a set amount of time. Often the time period varies from 7 - 30 days.

Take Betway's 100% Deposit Bonus up to $200 for example. This betting offer has the following requirements:

1. Deposit a minimum of $20
2. Receive a 100% matched deposit up to $200
3. Wager the bonus at minimum qualifying odds of 1.75 by 10 times to unlock funds for withdrawal
4. Bonus valid for 7 days

Types of Free Bet Offers

There are many different types of free bet offers. Some of the most common offers available to Canadian players include: 

• First Deposit Bonus 
• No Deposit Free Bet 
• Free Bets 
• Risk-Free Bet 
• Enhanced Odds 
• Hybrid Bonus  

Let’s take a look at how each offer works.

First Deposit Bonus 

First deposit bonuses are very common at both sportsbooks and online casinos. With first deposit bonuses, new customers can receive the following with their first deposit: 

• Free cash 
• Free bet 
• Free spins 

Example: 100% match bonus up to $200 on your first deposit.  

No Deposit Free Bet 

When it comes to no deposit free bets, players don’t need to deposit any money to claim a bonus! However, users will have to create a new account to receive this bonus.

For instance, a no deposit free bet could be a $5 free betting credit when you register for an account. No deposit is necessary.  

This type of betting offer generally ranges from $5 to $10. For larger bonuses, you’ll want to look for match bonuses and other deposit-based offers. 

No deposit free bets are also a lot more likely to have strict playthrough requirements. That said, it’s worth trying your luck - at the end of the day, it was free money anyways!

Free Bets 

Free bets are betting credits given to sportsbook and online casino customers as a bonus. This allows players to make bets without spending their own money. New and existing customers can benefit from free bets. 

For example, a free bet offer might be a free $10 bet when you place a $25 wager.  

Keep in mind - generally, if a free bet is successful then only the profit is returned. The original wager amount is withheld by the sportsbook or online casino. 

Risk-Free Bet 

A risk-free bet means that the sportsbook will return your original wager if your bet loses. However, the refund will have a maximum amount. This type of free bet offer is available to both new and existing players. 

For example, let’s say the risk-free bet is set to a maximum of $25. If you bet $30 and your bet loses, you will only get back $25. Therefore, you’ll still end up losing $5.  

Pro Tip: this bonus allows you to place a bet on the underdog - risk-free. An underdog will commonly have lower odds but a higher payout! 

Enhanced Odds 

As the name suggests, enhanced odds increase the odds of an outcome. This offer makes the profit for a certain wager much higher than usual.  

For example, a sportsbook might offer +1000 odds on the first $10 of a winning bet (with regular odds for all amounts over $10). 

Sportsbooks sometimes offer enhanced odds to attract new customers to their site. The goal of offering enhanced odds is to increase customer activity. However, enhanced odds are often available to existing customers as well. 

Hybrid Bonus  

Some sites that have a sportsbook and online casino will offer hybrid bonuses. A hybrid bonus includes both a free sports bet and a casino bonus all in one. Hybrid bonuses often require a minimum deposit amount. 

For example, a hybrid bonus might be a $25 free sports bet and 50 free spins on a certain online slot when you deposit $25. 

Hybrid bonuses are available to both new and returning players.  

Rating Free Bet Offers

Not all free bets are created equal. To help you find the best of the best, we use the following criteria to rate free bet offers: 

• Bonus Value  
• Wagering Requirements 
• Minimum Odds 
• Expiry  
• Exempt Markets & Restrictions 

Bonus Value  

The biggest thing to consider when choosing the best free bet offer is how much money the free bet is worth.  

Bonuses can range from $5 to hundreds of dollars. So, be sure to shop around and find the best and the biggest offer.  

Wagering Requirements 

Free bets can also have wagering requirements. This means that the free bets (or free money) must be played through a certain number of times before you can withdraw your winnings.  

Let’s take a look at an example of wagering requirements: 

• You get a free $10 bet  
• The wagering requirement is 5x  
• You will have to wager $50 before you can cash out 

To ensure you can get your winnings as soon as possible, we look for free bets with low or no wagering requirements. 

Minimum Odds 

A minimum odds requirement means that you can only wager your free bet on a certain pick.  

For example, a minimum odds requirement might be 2.5. This means that you can only use your free bet on picks that have odds that are equal to (or higher than) 2.5. 

The higher the odds, the more unlikely winning is. However, the more unlikely an event is, the more money you stand to gain! We search for sportsbooks that will give you the best chance of winning big with your free bets. 

Expiration 

It’s also important to consider whether a bonus expires. Some free bets have an expiry date or time. 

This means that if you earn free bets but don’t meet the wagering requirements in time you’ll lose the money. Missing out is never fun! So be aware - noting the expiry will help you get the most out of your free bets. 

Exempt Markets & Restrictions 

We always read the fine print - and you should too.  

Make sure to consider any restrictions or markets that are exempt from a free bet offer. This will save you from disappointment and prevent you from opting into a free offer that doesn’t work for you. 

At BettingGuide.com, we look for free bet offers that have minimal exemptions and restrictions. 

Ready to take advantage of free bets? Here’s how you can earn and use free bets on Canadian online casinos and sportsbooks.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Free Bets in Canada

To make free bets as simple as possible, let’s take a look at the following free bet example: 

• 100% match bonus up to $300  
• Wagering of 5x  
• Minimum odds of 1.5 

To receive this bonus you must: 

1. Create an account 
2. Provide your payment information 
3. Make a deposit - keep in mind, this deposit will be matched 100% (up to $300) 
4. Accept your free bet (opt-in if necessary) 

In this case, let’s say you make an account and deposit $200. You will receive a bonus of $200 in free betting credit. This betting credit can be used on any wager with odds of 1.5 or greater.

To withdraw your betting credit for cash, you must wager it 5x. This means you will have to bet a total of $1,000 with your betting credit until it can be paid out.

How to Maximize Free Bets

There are definitely some tips and tricks to getting the most out of free bets. Here are some ways to maximize your free bets: 

1. Double your bet - if you are already making a bet that you are confident in, use a free bet to wager twice the amount. This way, when you win, you can take home even more cash! 
2. Use free bets as insurance - you can place your free bet on the opposite outcome of your original bet to ensure that one of your wagers is successful.

Ontario Gambling Promotion Legislation  

In April 2022, Ontario launched its new open iGaming market. As a result, many new iGaming marketing and advertising rules came into place. 

Due to provincial legislation, BettingGuide.com can no longer show free bets and other online betting promotions to players in Ontario. This includes the following: 

• Sign up bonuses 
• Free spins 
• Free bets 
• Deposit offers 
• Boosted odds 
• Loyalty program perks, and more 

This legislation, created by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), aims to prevent unhealthy and problematic gaming in Canada. By minimizing incentives for frequent play, the AGCO believes that betting can remain a fun and entertaining pastime for Canadians. 

Are you a big fan of free bets and betting offers? Don’t worry - you can still get free bets and betting offers. These offers are available directly on each operator's site and can be accessed by clicking through our links.