Best Horse Racing Betting Offers
All of our recommended online betting sites below offer free horse racing bets for new customers. In many cases, existing customers can also take advantage of horse racing free bets too.
When taking advantage of horse racing free bets with online betting sites, always read the terms and conditions to ensure an understanding of the requirements necessary to qualify for free horse racing bets and bonus offers.
1. Bet365 Racing Free Bet
As one of the leading sports betting brands, bet365 often leads the way regarding horse racing free bets and innovative promotions.
The standard bet365 sign-up bonus for new customers is to bet £10 and receive £30 in free bets. The process to claim the bonus is simple:
- Deposit £10 and place a bet to the same value
- Once the bet has been settled, win or lose, customers will be credited £30 in free bets
To use the free bet credits, select ‘Use Bet Credits’ on your betting slip when placing further wagers on the wide range of sports available at bet365.
If you’re working off a smaller budget, you can still qualify for horse racing free bets with a smaller deposit as the minimum deposit on this offer is £5. This would qualify new customers for £15 in free bets.
There are time limits and payment method restrictions, so checking the conditions for all free bet promotions is essential.
Along with horse racing free bets for new customers, bet365 also offer a range of promotions for existing customers.
These include Best Odds Guaranteed on all UK and Irish horse races and extra place races, which provide an additional place or places on selected races. Bet Boost is another popular feature.
Horse racing followers are also catered for with bet365’s Price Promise. This offer means that bet365 will not be beaten on an early price on all UK and Irish races broadcast on ITV. This can also be used when taking advantage of their horse racing free bets.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Begambleaware.org. New Customers only. Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration Required. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. – Full Terms Apply
2. BetUK Racing Free Bet
The BetUK sign-up offer for February allows new customers to unlock £30 in free bets once they deposit and wager £10 at odds of 4/5 or greater.
However, free bets are distributed in three individual £10 credits and only one of them is valid for horse racing, with the other two reserved for football and BetUK’s bet builder tool.
Once the qualifying bet for this new customer offer is settled, users will receive the three individual £10 free bets.
One of the good things about this sign-up offer is that BetUK will allow each-way bets to qualify for the promo – so long as the win part of the stake is a minimum of £10.
For example, a £5 each-way bet will not qualify for the promotion, but a £10 each-way stake will.
Established 2012
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Begambleaware.org. T&Cs apply. New customers, Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. Stake not returned. Opt-in required. GambleAware®: Gambling Help & Gambling Addiction
3. Betway Racing Free Bet
Betway offers a £30 matched horse racing free bet for new customers. To qualify for this promotion, the initial bet must be a treble or accumulator on horse racing. The minimum free horse racing bet is £5 with a maximum of £30.
The offer also entitles new customers to 50 spins on slot game Big Bass Bonanza in the online casino section of their website.
Betway has also introduced a ‘Countdown to Cheltenham’ promotion as one of their Cheltenham Festival offers.
To take advantage, opt in to ‘Free Bet Club: Countdown to Cheltenham’ on Betway and you will earn two £5 Free Bets and 25 Free Spins for slot games every week when you wager £25 or more on sports multiples or bet builders with three or more selections.
Established 2006
#AD 18+ New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 50 Extra Spins on Big Bass Bonanza (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on extra spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ BeGambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full terms apply.
4. BetGoodwin Racing Free Bet
Although a relative newcomer to sports betting, BetGoodwin has quickly established itself as one of the best new betting sites.
New customers are entitled to 50 per cent of first-day sportsbook losses up to a maximum of £25. The money returned can be used as a free horse racing bet.
For new and existing customers, BetGoodwin provides several strong promotions. Best Odds Guaranteed comes as standard, and they also offer a range of free horse racing bets.
These include free bets if your horse is beaten by a nose, is second to a 50/1 or bigger winner, falls at the last when leading or is beaten by under half a length in a chasing race.
Established 2022
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Begambleaware.org. New Customers only. Must have a minimum of 3 bets of £10 or more on separate events at odds of evens (2.0) or bigger on first day. First day losses equals all settled stakes less all returns. T&C’s apply.
5. BoyleSports Racing Free Bet
When considering opening a new betting account, BoyleSports should be on your list of options.
The new customer offer is a simple bet £10 on mobile and get £20 in free bets on horse racing. New customers also receive a £10 casino bonus.
New and existing customers can also take advantage of free horse racing bets valid for Cheltenham odds.
A horse racing multiple bet (trebles and upwards) of £25 or more entitles all customers to a £10 free horse racing bet at the Cheltenham Festival.
Customers can subsequently receive additional £5 horse racing free bets each week in the lead up to the festival if they continue to place at least one £25 horse racing multiple per week.
These free horse racing bets will be applied on each day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival in four equal parts, with the first on Tuesday, 12 March, and the last on Friday, 15 March.
Established 2007
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Begambleaware.org. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply. T&Cs apply
6. BetMGM Racing Free Bet
This gambling brand is known worldwide, and BetMGM horse racing free bets are available for all new customers.
New customers can receive four free bets after opting in and placing a qualifying bet of £10 or more at odds of evens or greater.
Specifically, these are a £10 horse racing free bet, a £10 Bet Builder, a £10 free horse racing accumulator bet and a £10 football bet. These offers have a seven-day expiry attached to them.
Furthermore, existing BetMGM sportsbook customers can then get daily horse racing price boosts via their ‘Golden Silks’ promotion.
This feature allows bettors to opt in every Monday and stake up to £20 on a horse racing single bet every day of the week thereafter to receive up to 20% more on any winnings.
Established 2023
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Begambleaware.org. New cust only. 3 days to claim & 7 days to place a qualifying bet to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 Football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply.
7. Tote Racing Free Bet
New customers to the Tote can take advantage of a welcome bonus. After placing a first bet of £10 or more, £30 in horse racing free bets will be credited to the account.
The Tote is a pool-based betting website, and details of how pool betting works can be found on their website and betting app.
All customers are included in the Tote Guarantee. Like Best Odds Guaranteed, Tote will always pay their customers at least the starting price. If the Tote dividend is greater, they will settle winning bets at that price.
New customers will receive 50 free spins on the popular slot game The Goonies on the website’s new casino gaming area as an additional bonus.
Established 1929
New customers online only. £10 min stake (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £30 Tote Credit + 50 Extra Spins on selected game within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Tote credit subject to 7-day expiry. Extra spins subject to 7-day expiry. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet-slip. 18+. Full T&Cs apply .Begambleaware.org
8. BetVictor Racing Free Bet
The long-established BetVictor sportsbook is one of the most trusted in online betting.
After depositing and placing a £10 qualifying bet, new customers will receive four £5 free horse racing bets – if you opt in to the promotion.
The free bets are a £5 horse racing free bet on any horse racing market, a £5 free bet on any lengthen the odds market, a free £5 bet on any virtual horse race and an in-play £5 free horse racing bet.
BetVictor Cheltenham offers are already beginning to be rolled out, with Non-Runner No Bet available for ante-post bettors.
Established 1946
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds. No cash out. Get £40 in Free Bets on selected events. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Debit card / Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
9. William Hill Racing Free Bet
The name William Hill is synonymous with horse racing betting. Their sign-up process is quick and simple, and their new customer offer is straightforward.
After opening a new betting account with William Hill and placing a £10 bet, new customers will be credited with three £10 free bets which can be used on horse racing.
William Hill also offers a range of bonuses, including Epic Boost, for new and existing customers.
These can change daily, so it is worth checking back regularly to see the latest offers after opening an account using the William Hill sign-up offer.
Established 2008
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Begambleaware.org. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 17.10.2022. 3x £10 free bets. Free bets expire after 30 days. New customers signing up through mobile or tablet device only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #ad
10. Betfred Racing Free Bet
As one of the first betting operators to make full use of online technology, Betfred has built a vast online customer base over the years.
Horse racing free bets are readily available for all new customers, with an initial £10 deposit and wager entitling new customers to £40 in bonuses.
With £30 in free horse racing bets and £10 in free spins on slot games on their casino site, it is one of the more interesting bonuses available to new users of their website.
Established 2005
New UK 18+ only. Register (excl. 13/04/2024) with promo code WELCOME40, Bet £10+ on Sports in one transaction within 7 days of registering. Get £30 Free Bets & £10 extra spins within 10hrs of bet settlement. Bonuses expire 7 days after issue. Min odds, eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply.
New and Existing Customer Free Bets
Matched Bet Offers
Gambling sites occasionally offer a matched bet promotion. These offers are generally straightforward to understand. For example, new and existing customers can make a £10 bet on a specified event and will be credited with the same amount back as a free bet.
Enhanced Odds Sign-Up Offers
Online betting sites occasionally promote enhanced odds for a particular race or meeting. For instance, the bookmaker may offer an enhanced starting price return on all races on ITV during the Cheltenham Festival.
Acca Insurance
An common feature that the best accumulator betting sites offer is acca insurance. It is usually available to new and existing customers and is typically used in football accumulators. However, the feature can also apply to horse racing accumulators.
When placing an accumulator with four or more selections, customers can place the bet at slightly reduced odds. If one selection does not win, a proportion of the stake will be credited back to the account. In some cases, this may be returned as a free bet.
Money-Back Specials
Money-back specials, a promotion many betting sites use, come in many forms. When using free horse racing bets, both existing and new customers may be able to take advantage of various money-back specials such as money-back as a free bet if your selection finishes second to the SP favourite. Check individual betting sites for terms and conditions.
Best Odds Guaranteed
Betting websites that offer Best Odds Guaranteed may be of interest to customers opening a new account for horse racing free bets. Existing customers usually qualify for this valuable asset as well. To learn more, visit The Independent’s guide to the top Best Odds Guaranteed betting sites.
No Deposit Free Bets
No deposit free bets are fairly uncommon and are mainly limited to the gaming sections on betting sites. However, some horse racing betting sites will reward regular customers with occasional free bets with no deposit required based on their activity.
Established 2022
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Begambleaware.org. New Customers only. Must have a minimum of 3 bets of £10 or more on separate events at odds of evens (2.0) or bigger on first day. First day losses equals all settled stakes less all returns. T&C’s apply.
Free Bets For Horse Racing Festivals
Cheltenham Festival Free Bets
The Cheltenham Festival is the four-day showpiece of National Hunt racing with the 2024 renewal starting on Tuesday, 12 March and finishing on Friday, 15 March.
It is the pinnacle of the jumps season, where the best of the best go head to head.
Visit The Independent’s Cheltenham Festival betting section for the best horse racing free bet offers on Cheltenham.
Grand National Free Bets
The Grand National is the most famous jump race in the world. It is a huge betting event and attracts interest from around the globe from those who may not be regular horse racing viewers.
The race carries a prize fund of £1million and online betting sites know that there are many potential new customers.
As the big race approaches, most of The Independent’s recommended betting apps will offer ways of obtaining horse racing free bets on the Grand National.
Royal Ascot Free Bets
The 2024 Royal Ascot meeting occurs at the Berkshire track near Windsor Great Park. The event begins on 18 June and runs for five consecutive days.
With over £10million in prize money and top races worth over £650,000 apiece, the meeting attracts the cream of European racehorses and runners from Japan and the USA.
As well as a racing festival, it is also a celebration of fashion and creates colossal media attention, with many of the Royal Family attending the meeting throughout the week. Indeed, King Charles had his first winner at the meeting in 2023 with Desert Hero.
Like the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National meetings, most betting sites will offer a means of claiming free bets on horse racing for Royal Ascot.
Established 2022
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Begambleaware.org. Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit: £10, max £10 bonus, valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible. T&Cs Apply
Understanding The Terms & Conditions
Free horse racing bets invariably have terms and conditions attached to them. The onus is on the customer to understand the stipulations when opening a new account.
New and existing customers should always read the terms and conditions when searching for free horse racing bets offered by licensed bookmakers.
The most common conditions will be time restrictions on when horse racing free bets can be taken advantage of and the minimum odds required when placing a single or multiple bet.
In many cases, customers need to ‘opt-in’ or ‘claim’ free horse racing bet promotions immediately after opening an account or before placing a qualifying wager.
Established 2022
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Begambleaware.org. New Customers only. Must have a minimum of 3 bets of £10 or more on separate events at odds of evens (2.0) or bigger on first day. First day losses equals all settled stakes less all returns. T&C’s apply.
Responsible Gambling
Horse racing betting can be addictive so it’s important to stay in control of your gambling.
Most horse racing betting sites have safer gambling hubs that allow customers to view their profit and loss margins and set time management restrictions.
Licensed bookies will also have standard responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits and self-exclusion, which allow users to cut off access and marketing communications.
Should you wish to seek independent help for gambling-related harm, there are several UK charities and institutions you can turn to for support, advice, and information:
Horse Racing Free Bets – The Independent View
All of the recommended gambling sites for free horse racing bets on this page are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.
They have each passed our vigorous review criteria to earn our recommendations.
Which bookmaker you choose for horse racing free bets should come down to your personal intentions, betting preferences, and of course your budget.
Horse Racing Free Bets FAQs
A free bet or free bets are usually part of a promotion offered to customers opening a new account with betting sites. There is no financial risk to customers placing a free bet credited to an account after placing a ‘real money’ qualifying wager.
Most free horse racing bets vary from bookmaker to bookmaker. Remember that you can open multiple accounts with online betting sites to take advantage of all the free horse racing bets available. Always check the small print to ensure an understanding of what exactly is on offer.
It is important to understand that free horse racing bets are not free cash. Only the proceeds from a successful free horse racing bet can be withdrawn. Once again, checking individual bookmakers’ terms and conditions is always advisable as wagering requirements may apply.
As a general rule, horse racing free bet stakes are not included in the winnings from a successful bet. The free bet is not a cash amount and has not incurred any financial cost to the customer, so it will not be included in any returns to the account.
In almost every case, there will be an expiration period when using free horse racing bet promotions. These will vary from bookmaker to bookmaker and can be as short as 24 hours. In most instances, the expiration period will be between seven and 14 days, occasionally longer. Always make a note of the expiration period when opening a new account.
Paul has been professionally involved with sports betting since joining the Racing Post in 1986. Although greyhound racing was his first passion, he has also written multiple articles on a wide range of sports from a betting perspective.