What Are No-Deposit Bonuses?

No-deposit bonuses can include free bets and sign-up offers that are accessible to users without making a deposit on site. Bookmakers can offer customers a free bet for meeting certain requirements, typically upon signing up to a site for the first time; however, they can also be given to existing customers around popular events. Many sportsbook and casino promotions require you to deposit cash into the account before bettors can actually receive any free bets or bonus funds. On the contrary, no-deposit bonuses do not require you to deposit funds into the account first or make any initial qualifying bets; hence, these offers are labelled as ‘no-deposit’.

How Do No-Deposit Bonuses Work?

No-deposit bonuses work similarly to Risk-Free offers as no deposit is needed into the account. These types of offers are generally offered for new users when they sign up, with bookmakers offering a bonus promotion for the user to start with their betting. Sometimes, the bet might be added to an account as bonus funds, such as a free £5 stake instead of funds which can be used on anything. It is expected that the bonus cannot be withdrawn into your bank account, as the bookmaker will require you to use the bonus funds to place bets first before you can potentially withdraw any returns that may have been yielded from the no-deposit bonus.

These no-deposit bonuses often work in a similar way to ‘Bet x Get x‘ offers, except you do not have to bet anything to get the offer, making them essentially risk-free offers that can be used strategically if wishing to do so.

Most no-deposit bonus offers will have a stake limit, such as a £10 maximum on any selection or event. With there often being applicable regulations like this, it is always important to check the terms and conditions of every promotion. Some promotions require you to ‘Opt In’ first as well or use a specific promotional code before actually being able to claim what a bookmaker offers.

How Do I Claim A No-Deposit Bonus?

If you are looking to claim a no-deposit bonus, you might be wondering what steps you need to follow to acquire one. Here, we have made a step-by-step guide on how you can claim these bookmaker promotions:

1. Register with the bookmaker
2. Verify your account if required
3. Enter the promo code if necessary
4. Opt into the promotion
5. Receive the no-deposit bonus
6. Place an eligible bet

If you are not sure whether your no-deposit bonus requires a promo code, it will usually be stated in the bonus terms and conditions. Make sure to check the T&Cs of any offer before you opt in.

No-deposit Bonus Examples

Most no-deposit bonuses are included in sign-up promotions because there is no risk to the user’s real funds. However, these seem to be changing, with some sites requiring stakes to be placed before being offered a bonus, such as a ‘bet of £5, get £10′ offer.

An example of a no-deposit bonus is the Ladbrokes Fan Zone, which requires no deposit but could lead to exclusive offers such as free bets, odds boosts, and free-to-play games. These bonuses are given out to people who sign up for the fan zone feature. The offers that are given out are usually valued around £0.20 to £0.50, which is expected for ‘no-deposit’ bets. Ladbrokes has plenty of great offers besides this too, with our Ladbrokes free bets guide at OddsMonkey breaking down some of their other popular promotions.

A different form of no-deposit bonus is Sky Bet’s Super 6. The hugely popular game requires you to correctly predict the scores of 6 football games, which are pre-selected for a chance to win £250,000. Super 6 has become a great part of the football betting community, and with no join-up fee and the option to take part for free, there is no risk involved, as no initial deposit is required. Sky Bet also offers a free £5 bet every week as part of the ‘Sky Bet Club’, another no-deposit offer; to make the most of Sky Bet free offers, we also have a Sky Bet free bets guide on site too.

What are the Key Terms and Conditions of no-deposit Bonuses?

While no-deposit bonuses allow you to claim free bets or bonus funds without making an initial deposit, they almost always come with specific terms and conditions. These requirements are put in place by bookmakers to ensure promotions are used fairly and as intended. Before claiming any offer, it is important to read the full promotional terms to understand how the bonus works, what restrictions apply, and whether any conditions must be met to complete certain actions. Let’s take a look at some of the terms and conditions that you should look at when finding no-deposit offers:

• Wagering requirements
• Minimum odds requirements
• Expiry dates
• Maximum returns
• Eligible markets

How Do ‘No-Deposit’ Bonuses Link To Matched Betting

With free bets available through these no-deposit bonuses, matched betting can come into play. Matched betting allows profit margins to be locked in by carefully choosing odds and placing a back bet and a lay bet. Using the free bet will allow you to cover one portion of the matched bet, with a counteracting bet being placed using real funds to cover all eventualities of an event. Even though it can be hard to work out, here at OddsMonkey, we have a matched betting calculator you can use to do all the necessary calculations.

Matched betting, when used alongside a no-deposit bonus, is a great way to make the most of these offers, but only if done correctly. You can bet on one outcome, work out what the stake would offer, and then use that amount to wager on the lay bet. Ensuring these stakes match up with the real funds you have placed is essential. Otherwise, you could have an unmatched bet that doesn’t cover all outcomes.

Matched betting can sometimes be a little intricate, especially if you are new to the strategy, so ensuring you are clued up is essential. OddsMonkey is your place to go when it comes to matched betting advice, and all the essential tools and calculators that may be required, with our matched betting blog also giving vital tips and tricks to help you learn more about how no-deposit bonuses can be utilised most effectively.

No-deposit Offer FAQs

Can you withdraw a no-deposit bonus?

No, these bonuses require you to use free bets or bet credits to place on eligible markets. Depending on the offer, you will be able to withdraw any returns made from the bet credits.

Are no-deposit bonuses really free?

No-deposit bonuses are generally free to claim as they do not require a deposit of your own funds. However, this doesn’t mean there are no conditions attached, as some come with minimum odds, expiry dates and other wagering requirements to consider.

Can existing customers get no-deposit bonuses?

Although no-deposit bonuses are typically used for new customers, existing bettors might also be able to receive them. Whilst it is unlikely, it is possible for existing customers to receive no-deposit bonuses.