Getting a little something extra for free is one of the small joys in life. It doesn’t matter if it’s an extra cookie in the package, a free voucher for being a loyal customer, or a free gift added on to a purchase — we all love a little reward.
Another thing that many of us enjoy is betting on our favorite sports. Whether it’s rugby, cricket, horse racing, or the AFL, sports betting adds an extra layer of tension and makes us feel a bit like we’ve got something riding on the outcome of the match, too. It can also be a way to show support for a favorite club, even when they’re having a rough season.
Free bonus bets combine both these things into one package. New regulations mean that free bets can’t be advertised, but that doesn’t mean that bookmakers can’t offer them. Free bonus bets are one of the main ways that bookmakers show their appreciation for customer loyalty.
Taking advantage of free bonus bets in Australia is a great way to add to your betting sheet and many opportunities can be found on AussieBet. In this handy guide, we’ll explain what free bets are, how they work, and how to claim them.
Claiming Free Bets
Claiming free bets is easy once you have an account. The first thing you need to do is to find an online sportsbook that offers free bets. Then, create an account and verify your identity. Once you’ve done that, you can make a deposit and begin placing bets. From there, simply navigate to the Promotions page on the site and opt into any free bet offers that are available.
Free Bet Rules and Regulations
The National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering introduced in 2019 changed the legality of advertising free bets but it didn’t do anything to impact sportsbooks offering free bets. Regulations state that free bets can’t be advertised to people who aren’t already customers.
This means that in order to see the free bets that are available, you will need to have created an account with the online sportsbook. Thankfully, there are plenty of betting site guides available online that will provide you with the necessary information so that you don’t make any accounts you are unlikely to use.
New South Wales and Free Bets
Just like in Canada and the United States, Australia’s gambling laws are decided at both the federal and the state levels. Most states have fairly similar laws that recognize the popularity of sports betting and the improvements to access offered by online sports betting options. New South Wales is the main exception.
New South Wales has very strict online gambling laws. While online sports betting is still legal in New South Wales, customers in that state aren’t allowed to access any of the following promotional campaigns such as new customer bonuses, cashback or money-back refunds (sometimes known as bet protection bonuses), refer a friend promotions and in-play or live betting promotions.
Free bets aren’t explicitly included in these restrictions, but to be safe, most online sportsbooks do not offer them to customers in New South Wales.
Types of Free Bets
There are many types of free bet bonuses offered to bettors in Australia. The most common type is the free bet signup bonus. This is a free bet offered to new customers who have just signed up with the sportsbook. Usually, customers will need to make a deposit in order to claim this bonus, and it is typically only available for a short time after signing up.
Free-matched bets are also very popular. With these bonuses, the bookmaker will provide a percentage of your initial deposit in the form of free bets. These are usually 50% to 100% of your deposit, but in some special cases, it can be as high as 200%. There is usually a maximum amount that can be claimed. The most frequent free-matched bet offer is a 100% deposit match of up to $100.
Risk-free bet bonuses make a losing bet sting a bit less. Instead of simply writing off the loss, a risk-free bonus refunds the initial bet deposit in the form of a free bet. Occasionally, sportsbooks reward returning customers with loyalty bonus free bets. These are free bets offered to customers who have bet a certain amount or who have made bets over an extended period of time.
Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements are the terms and conditions that the online bookmaker places on the free bets. Customers must meet the wagering requirements before they can withdraw any winnings generated from their free bets or any other bonus or promotion.
It’s essential to read the wagering requirements before creating an account or placing a bet. Wagering requirements generally set the minimum odds for a bet to qualify, the number of times you need to wager the bonus amount — usually between 30x-50x, and a time limit.
Some bookmakers set their wagering requirements impossibly high so they don’t actually have to pay out, while others have much more realistic requirements.
With regulations differing among countries and regions on bets, it’s crucial to follow local laws while engaging in the excitement of gambling.
