Can You Withdraw Winnings From Free Bets?
Free bets are a popular feature offered by many online betting sites, particularly to new account holders, or as part of special promotions.
You might see them advertised as a “£10 free bet” or “bet £5, get £20 in free bets”. But how do they actually work? More importantly, can you really take home any winnings if you use one?
This guide walks you through some key parts of using free bets—what they are, how they usually work, and whether any money won can actually be withdrawn.
If you’re new to betting, or simply unsure how these offers might apply to you, understanding the details could help you make clearer and more informed choices.
What Happens If You Win a Free Bet?
If your free bet wins, you’ll typically receive the profit only—not the value of the free bet itself. This is a standard rule across most UK-licensed betting sites. Here’s what that means:
Let’s say you’re given a £10 free bet. You place it on a football match at odds of 4/1. If your selection wins, the return would be £40. However, since the free bet stake isn’t returned, your balance would be credited with £40 minus the £10 stake—so, £30 in total.
It’s also worth noting that any potential free bet winnings may sometimes come with additional conditions. For example, your £30 might be paid as “bonus funds”, which cannot be withdrawn immediately.
Some sites may treat the winnings as withdrawable cash, while others might apply further restrictions. This can vary between bookmakers and betting exchanges, so it’s important to review each operator’s terms.
Can You Cash Out on Free Bets?
Cashing out allows a bettor to settle a bet early before the event ends. The amount offered is based on the current likelihood of the bet winning. However, when it comes to free bets, cash out is generally restricted.
Most betting sites do not provide a cash-out option for bets placed using any free bet tokens. This is because the stake was not made using your own money. Even in cases where cash out is permitted, the value is typically calculated based only on potential profit—since the free bet stake holds no real monetary value.
If you’re betting on something like a tennis match and you’ve used a free bet, you may notice that the cash-out button is disabled. If the operator does allow cashing out on a free bet, the terms will usually be explained under the specific promotion details. These can differ between fixed-odds bookmakers and exchanges, where markets and pricing operate slightly differently.
Free Bet Not Included In Payout: Why?
When using a free bet, the amount staked is provided by the betting site as part of a promotion. Since you’re not risking your own funds, that stake usually isn’t returned to you if the bet wins.
Think of it as using a voucher. If you were given a voucher for a free £10 bet and it wins at odds of 3/1, you’d receive £30 in profit. But the original £10 “voucher” is not included. This is because you didn’t put down that £10 yourself—it was issued as part of a promotional offer.
This approach is standard across many UK-licensed operators. It helps betting sites offer incentives while managing risk. The focus is on giving players a chance to engage with the site and potentially win, not to hand out free money without conditions.
Some promotions may offer stake-returning free bets, but these are rare. Where this is the case, it should be made very clear in the terms of the offer. Always read these carefully to know what applies to the specific free bet promotion you are using.
Why Can’t I Withdraw Bonus Bet Winnings?
Sometimes, any potential winnings from a bonus bet are not immediately available for withdrawal. This often relates to something called wagering requirements. These are conditions that must be met before certain funds can be transferred from your betting account to your bank account.
Let’s say you win £40 from a bonus bet. The site may require you to place further bets totalling a certain multiple of your winnings—say, three times (£40 x 3 = £120)—before you can cash out. This requirement exists to try and prevent bonus abuse and ensure that promotional offers are used in line with their purpose.
Bonus bets differ from free bets in how any potential winnings are treated. Free bets usually allow you to keep the profit, whereas bonus funds may only be usable within the site until wagering is complete. Always check whether the bonus is a token, matched fund, or deposit-based. Each one may work differently.
Also, bookmakers and exchanges may apply different rules around bonus usage. For example, a sportsbook might restrict bonuses to specific events or odds, while an exchange may offer more flexibility, but with smaller incentives. It may be worth comparing terms before committing to any bonus.
Betting comes with uncertainty, and no strategy can guarantee a win. It’s best seen as a form of entertainment, not a way to make money.
If you choose to place bets, it may help to set a budget and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses and only bet what you can afford. UKGC-licensed sites offer tools like deposit limits and time-outs if you ever need support.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.