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Place Free Bets at Canada's Top Betting Sites in 2024

Many online sports betting sites offer free bets to its customers, and these have the potential to pay out with real money. But why do they do this, and which sites offer the best promotions? Read on to find out all this and more, including how to bet safely and securely.

On this page about free bets, you'll find out:

  • What sites offer the best promotions for bettors in Canada
  • How to win real money with free bets
  • How to guarantee a win with matched bets.

Best Sports Betting Sites for Free Bets
December 2024

VERIFIED PARTNERS
Rank Rating Offer Payment methods Features
Rank
Rating
4.5/5
Offer
Deposit match 100% T&Cs Apply
Payment methods
eCheck
Visa
EntroPay
+ 5 more
Features
In-Play Betting
Best Odds
Free Bet Club
Rank 2
Rating
4.5/5
Offer
Free bet $30 T&Cs Apply
Payment methods
VISA
Mastercard
ecoPayz
+ 7 more
Features
In-Play Betting
Best Odds
Special Offers
Rank 3
Rating
4.5/5
Offer
Deposit match 100% T&Cs Apply
Payment methods
Visa
Citadel
iDebit
+ 5 more
Features
In-Play Betting
Live Betting
Live Casino
Rank 4
Rating
4.8/5
Offer
Odds Best T&Cs Apply
Payment methods
EcoPayz
iDebit
PaySafeCard
+ 5 more
Features
In-Play Betting
Live Betting
Instant Access
Rank 5
Rating
4.5/5
Offer
Deposit match 100% T&Cs Apply
Payment methods
Visa
Mastercard
entroPay
+ 3 more
Features
In-Play Betting
Best Odds
Live Casino

T&Cs Apply to All Bonuses. 18+ only. Gamble Responsibly.

Free Bets and How They Work

Free online sports bets are commonly offered as promotions by online sites looking to earn your trust and, ultimately, your business. Free bets are just that, a stake that the online bookmakers gives to members. It may be awarded after a first deposit and an initial bet is made, after you reload your account, or when a player makes their first mobile or in-play sports bet. Some sites will give players a free bet prior to them making their first deposit, but most have a minimum deposit requirement.

So how exactly does it work? The online bookmaker gives you a specific amount of cash, let's say $10, and you use that stake to make one bet on one event. Sometimes the site stipulates what sport or even what contest you're to place your wager on. If you win the free wager, you'll receive your real cash winnings, but the stake is not returned to you - the bookmaker keeps the original wager. If you lose the bet, you have actually lost nothing as all that's been risked is the virtual money the online bookmaker gave you.

Is There a Catch?

Free bets are a great offer to take advantage of, however it's important to understand that there will be a play-through or rollover requirement. That requirement dictates how much money you must wager after you win your free bet to withdraw those winnings. Such requirements are usually a multiple of your winnings.

The rollover amount on a free online sports betting offer varies. Low-end requirements start at around 20%-25% of your winnings from the free bet, whereas the high-end would be around 40%-50%. That makes the play-through requirement the most important aspect of your free bet. Of course, this requirement is fair, and doesn't change how fantastic free bets can be for your bankroll!

Betting on a mobile device

Other Online Sportsbook Bonuses

Along with awarding free bets to those who sign up and make a first deposit, many sportsbooks will also provide free bets as incentives to try new products or features such as their mobile app or in-play betting. They may also offer you a free wager when a new season is about to start, such as English Premier League, CFL, NFL, or NBA. Finally, if you're a member of an online sports betting site but have not made a wager in a while, they may offer you a free bet to get you to come back to their book.

Other online sportsbook bonuses include first deposit and reload rewards that are a percentage of your deposit. These are not as common at sportsbooks as they are at online casinos, but some internet bookmakers do offer them. You may also find cash back offers based on how much you wager each week or month, cash back on specific types of losing sports bets, and reduced vig offers (vig being the commission paid to the bookmakers on each bet). Whenever you find a sportsbook bonus be sure to read through all of the wagering rules, regulations and requirements.

Trust Us to Find Canada's Best Betting Sites

So why should you trust us to find you the best sports betting sites? Firstly, we're not owned by any of the big gambling groups, meaning that our reviews and recommendations can be totally impartial - we'll never promote a bad website, or criticize a good one. All of the sportsbooks that we feature have been carefully vetted and are known to be safe, secure, and fair. They are noted for standing behind all of their offers, providing fast payouts, and feature reliable banking services.

Moreover, all of our reviewers are likeminded individuals who love to gamble, so they know exactly what you're looking for and what to let you know. Finally, everything on this site is written for Canadians, so all of the information should be relevant to you!

  • Not owned by any gambling company

  • Staff members are avid gambling fans

  • Aimed solely at gamblers in Canada

Avoid These Blacklisted Sites

Who to avoid on the web

While you can bet with confidence at the majority of online sports betting sites, there are a few rogue sites that haven’t passed our rigorous tests on reliability, payout speed, regulation and variety, and which you should therefore avoid. Check them out below.

BetUS

Slow pay outs

Unresponsive customer service

Not enough markets

AmericasBookie

Odds posted too late

Bonus requirements impossible to meet

Insufficient banking options

SkyBook

Inadequate bonus & VIP program

Problems processing withdrawals

Concerns with safety and security

Show Me Recommended Bookmakers

Why Don't Brick And Mortar Sportsbooks Offer Free Bets?

Land-based bookmakers usually offer no or very few free bets simply because they don't have to. If you go to a land-based sportsbook, there's a good chance you'll place your bets there - it's not like being at an online sportsbook where a competitor's site is just one click away. Essentially online sportsbooks face a lot of competition, and they need to figure out how to stay ahead of the game. The good news for us is that it's very easy for players to utilize that competition!

How Matched Betting Works

Matched betting involves using two different online sportsbooks and utilizing your free bet in tandem with a real money wager. When a sports bettor receives a free bet, they place that wager at one site, knowing they have risked nothing, and then take the other end of the wager at another book. By doing this the sports bettor is covered on their bet.

The best type of matched bet involves utilizing two free bets at separate sites and wagering on one team at one site and the other team at the second online sportsbook. Doing this is generally considered risk-free.

  • Acquire at least one free bet

  • Choose the match you want to bet on

  • Place your first bet on Team A at one site

  • Place your second bet on Team B at another site

  • Either way, you win!

You're Now Ready to Place Your Bet

By this point you'll be ready and raring to place a free bet, but make sure you pick one of our recommended sites to do so. That way you can be sure that you'll be able to bet using Canadian dollars and will have the opportunity to receive real money payouts with reasonable rollover requirements. Don't forget, you can also click on our review page to see what our expert staff have to say. What are you waiting for? Place your free bet today!

Free Bets FAQs

Free bets are one of the benefits offered by many online sportsbooks. Here's some information concerning free bets, how they work, and how to use them.

That depends on the amount of the free bet and how you're allowed to use it. Free bets can be as small as $5 and as much as $100 with a few going even higher. If you make a points spread bet, you'll receive 90% of the stake's worth. As an example, if you wager with a $50 free bet, you'll receive $45 if you win.

You may or may not have to make a deposit to get a free bet. It really depends on the sportsbook, but we find that most online bookmakers do require the player to make a deposit. Often the free bet is equal to the original deposit amount up to a specific, stated maximum. If they do not require a deposit, then the free bet tends to be on the low side - usually $5-$10.

What sports you may use your free bet on depends upon the parameters set by the online sportsbook. Some books will designate what sport you can use your free bet on, while others will leave the selection up to you.

Right here! We recommended only the very best betting sites, so please see our shortlist at the top of this page to take advantage of their impressive offers.

The basic manner in which you sign up for a free bet involves you becoming a member of the sportsbook providing the free wager and then making a deposit. You may also have to opt in to the free bet offer. Some sportsbooks require that you make a first bet before they give you a free one.

Free bets are usually available through the sportsbook's mobile app or mobile browser platform. In fact, some online sportsbooks will provide you with a mobile bet when you first access them through your smartphone or tablet.