Guides · Offers
New-customer offers & free bets, explained
Welcome offers are how UK bookmakers and casinos attract new sign-ups — but the headline is never the whole story. This guide explains how free bets, deposit matches and wagering requirements really work, and what to check in the terms before you opt in. We never quote offer figures; always read the operator’s current terms.
Why we show offers as neutral facts
Across this site you will see the same line — "New-customer offer available · 18+ · T&Cs apply" — rather than a specific figure. That is deliberate. Offers change frequently, terms differ between operators, and a big headline number often comes with conditions that reduce its real value. We would rather teach you to read an offer than advertise one. The actual amount, qualifying stake and rules always live in the operator’s current terms and conditions, which you should read in full before opting in.
Common offer types
- Bet-and-get free bets — place a qualifying bet and receive free bets in return. Watch the qualifying odds (a minimum price your first bet must meet) and any expiry on the free bets.
- Deposit match — the operator adds bonus funds matching part of your deposit. Usually carries wagering requirements before you can withdraw.
- Free spins — casino spins on selected slots, often with a value cap and wagering attached to anything you win.
- Money-back / risk-free — a refund (often as a free bet, not cash) if your first bet loses. Check whether the refund is cash or bonus.
Wagering requirements: the key term to understand
A wagering requirement (sometimes shown as "35x") tells you how many times you must stake bonus winnings before they can be withdrawn as cash. A generous-looking bonus with high wagering can be worth far less than a smaller offer with low or no wagering. Some operators run no-wagering promotions, which are usually the clearest to understand. Always look for the wagering multiple, the games that count towards it, any maximum bet while wagering, and the time limit.
Read these five things first
- Min deposit
- The smallest deposit that unlocks the offer (often £5 or £10)
- Qualifying odds
- Minimum price your qualifying bet must meet
- Wagering
- How many times winnings must be staked before withdrawal
- Expiry
- How long free bets, spins or bonus funds last
- Payment rules
- Some methods are excluded; credit cards are banned UK-wide
UK rules that apply to every offer
Whatever the promotion, some UK rules always apply. You must be 18 or over and verify your identity. Credit cards cannot be used for gambling — banned since April 2020 — so deposits are by debit card, pay by mobile or e-wallet. Online slots carry stake limits of £5 per spin (25+) and £2 (18–24) under the 2025 rules. And any winnings you make are tax-free. We only cover offers from UKGC-licensed operators — offshore "not on GamStop" bonuses sit outside these protections.
Where to go next
Ready to compare? See our ranking of UK betting sites — including bet365 and Sky Bet — and our online casino reviews. Understand the tax angle in do you pay tax on winnings, and keep play safe with GAMSTOP.
An offer should never be the only reason you pick a bookmaker or casino. Value, markets, payments and safety matter more. Gamble only what you can afford to lose — 18+.