Who doesn’t love a nice bonus? To attract new bettors or encourage existing ones to continue using their platform, online bookmakers offer a variety of promotions and bonuses. One of the most popular promotional strategies is the “free bet”, where the bookmaker gives you a certain amount of money to bet with for free. If you lose, there’s no harm done. But if you win, the house lets you keep the winnings. In this comprehensive guide, we’ve compiled everything you need to know to take advantage of free bets in Nigeria.
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Top betting sites in Nigeria with free bet offers
What is a free bet?
A free bet is a promotional offer betting sites make to encourage bettors to start or continue using their platform. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a risk-free gamble that doesn’t cost anything. Under normal circumstances, the bookmaker funds the stake for a free bet. If you win, they’ll allow you to keep any profits.
If you qualify to place a wager as a free bet, the site will add the funds to a designated account (often called a bonus, promo, or free bet account). Once you make a selection, the site will use this account balance to cover your wager. If it wins, the bonus bet stake is returned along with its winnings as usual. If it loses and there’s no other bonus cash on offer (say you lose your first free bet), then nothing happens — all you’ve lost is the bookmaker’s money.
Keep in mind that free bets are only for gambling purposes and cannot be withdrawn for real money. All they do is let you wager without dipping into your own funds.
A common condition of winning a free bet (especially with sign-up offers) is that the betting site will deduct the stake from your payout before your money is deposited into your main account. You can then cash out your winnings or use them for further bets.
How to get free bets
The easiest way to get a free bet is to look for betting sites with a new customer offer. This can come in the form of a welcome bonus, where you get a free bet after signing up and making your first deposit. For example, Bet9ja’s “100% up to ₦100,000” offer means the bookmaker will match your first deposit up to ₦100,000 in free bets, effectively doubling your initial bankroll.
These offers are usually advertised prominently on the site or through marketing campaigns. Of course, they’re for new customers only.
Bookmakers like N1Bet often reward new football betting tipsters with free bets. Helabet is an example of a site that offers special promotions for existing customers.
How to use free bets
The best free bets almost always come with terms and conditions, such as meeting a wagering requirement or a time limit on their use. And they sometimes come with restrictions like lower payout amounts or longer minimum odds. Other than that, they’re similar to real money wagers
To maximise the value of your free bets, you can experiment with the “hedge betting” method. With hedge betting, you put your money on one result using your regular account and money on the other using your free bet account. So, it is possible to increase your chances of winning without increasing your risk.
Best betting sites in Nigeria with free bets
1xBet
300% up to ₦465,000
The free wager is only available to new customers. You must first sign up and place your first deposit.
- Free bets are available with a minimum deposit of ₦400.
- Gamble the bonus 5x on accumulators before cashing it out.
- Each accumulator wager must have at least three picks.
- All three bets must have odds of 1.40 or higher.
- If the wagering conditions aren’t satisfied within 30 days, the bonus will be forfeited.
- Cryptocurrency bets are not eligible for the free bet promotion.
Bet9ja
100% up to ₦1,000,000
Before receiving the free bet offer, you must finish the registration process and make your first deposit.
- The first deposit requirement is only ₦100.
- Play through the bonus 10x before cashing it out.
- Free bet offers are only valid for combination wagers with minimum odds of 3.00.
- All free wagers must be used within 30 days, or the promotion expires.
- Bet9ja may alter, suspend, or eliminate the welcome bonus at any time and without prior notice.
- Bet9ja retains all legal rights to enforce its terms and conditions, should you violate them.
Types of free bets on Nigerian betting sites
Free bets on registration – Some bookmakers forego the traditional initial deposit bonus in favor of a completely free bet to entice new customers. When signing up with a bookmaker, you’ll receive a free bet you can use on any sporting event or match. The caveat is you can’t cash out the bonus. Keep in mind that these free bets are typically very small because it’s in the site’s best interest to minimise their risk.
Free bets with deposit – These are the most common. First made popular in the UK (e.g., “deposit £10, get £30 in free bets”), they’ve made their way to Nigerian online betting platforms. You can only claim your bonus if you make an initial deposit with the bookmaker as a first-time customer. Other conditions, like meeting set odds or pre-cashout wagering requirements, usually apply as well.
Free bets without deposit – A site offering free bets without deposit won’t require you to deposit your own funds. Some may ask you to verify your account or make a minimum deposit before cashing out any winnings, but the initial bonus is 100% free. These are usually small amounts (e.g., ₦500 to ₦5,000), and you will more than likely need to bet the money you won several times before you can withdraw it. Sometimes, you’ll have to enter a “no deposit” bonus code in order to qualify. Others, you’ll get your bonus simply for signing up.
Risk-free bets – A risk-free bet is one of the most popular bonuses major Nigerian sportsbooks offer. There is a wide variety of risk-free online betting options, each with its own set of conditions. Essentially, the sportsbook gives you a free bet to use on any event or match of your choice. However, if you lose the bet, the bookmaker will refund your account with either an equivalent amount or bonus credits. Since it’s free money if your first bet loses, understanding how to profit from a risk-free sports bet is one of the most valuable skills you can have as a bettor.
Matched bonus – When you join a new bookmaker or qualify for a promo, they will offer you a free bet bonus that they will match. You will find an offer like “Bet ₦1,000 and earn a ₦1,000 free bet.” Most of the time, the minimum qualifying bet for this promotion is far less than the maximum free bet.
Bottom line
Free betting is a fantastic opportunity to test out new bookmaker services without taking any financial risks. And, for seasoned bettors, it’s a great way to get more play out of your money. The key to capitalizing on free bets is finding the best offers and understanding the terms and conditions attached to them. If you’re looking to get started with online betting in Nigeria, use our platform to find vetted, trusted bookmakers that offer the best free bets.
FAQ for Free Bets
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Do free bets have a maximum win limit?
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What can I use my free bets on?
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Do bookmakers give free bets to new users only?
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How can I claim a free bet?