subject: Keeping Hold Of Your Free Bet Offer Money [print this page] Keeping Hold Of Your Free Bet Offer Money
I've been contacted a lot recently by people who have taken up bookmaker promotional deals, and have not received the offer being promoted. Confused, they have given up on the bookie, but what in fact happened was that they failed to follow the rules of the game. Here's my guide to how you can keep hold of these promo deals, and even make the most out of them1. It's not a free bet, it's a bonusThis can be confusing, so stay with me. Sometimes, it's not really a free bet, it's a bonus on your deposit. So, when you deposit, for example, 50, you will get a bonus added to your account. It's not as simple as that, despite what some bookmakers like to say, and the rules really are hidden away among the terms and conditions. It could be a 100% bonus, it could be a 50% bonus, and sometimes it's less. Regardless, it's still a bonus and that's better than nothing.You will get this as bonus money which you can use at your discretion. However, it's not as you like, and not at any time. You will often find the following rules:- you can only bet on multiples with your bonus money: this means that you cannot just bet on, for example, Manchester United to win. You have to bet on at least TWO events happening - which makes it even harder for you to win. So, you'd bet on both Manchester United AND Arsenal to win (unless they're playing each other, of course). The returns are greater, the chances are less likely. - you cannot bet on anything with odds of below 2.0 (EVENS): this means that you cannot just go betting on, say, Manchester United to beat Rotherham at home, at odds of 1/8. - you must 'turn over' your bonus money several times: some bookmakers (and I refuse to work with them, myself), ask you to bet your DEPOSIT amount 16 times before you can withdraw the bonus amount. Equally, you must do that WITHIN 30 DAYS! It's crazy - and it's hardly promoting responsible gambling, if you are asking people to deposit a large amount, and then bet 16 times that amount in 30 days. In fact, it's tantamount to encouraging addiction.So, be careful with bonus money, and check those terms & conditions every time you sign up for a new account.2. You have to ask for your free betThere are bookmakers out there who promote a free bet, but keep quiet about the fact that you have to either a) enter a promo code upon signing up, or b) send them an e-mail asking for the free bet! It happens, and it's crazy. These days, it ought to be automatic, but it isn't.3. You have to bet and bet until you get the promised amountSome bookmakers can be very cheeky and will demand that you bet 20 times before receiving your free bet. However, some reward loyalty, and this is only fair. The Victor Chandler free bet is an example of a bookmaker who rewards you first of all for joining, and then for staying with them. 4. You have to respect the minimum odds ruleA gambler wrote to me last week after signing up for a Cheltenham free bet, saying that he had not received his free bet from the bookmaker in question. I asked exactly what had happened, and he said that he had placed his money on the 8/15 favourite. With many bookmakers, your first "qualifying" bet (i.e. the bet that qualifies you for a free bet), has to have odds of at least 2.0 or evens. Some bookies don't have this rule, so you can place bets on anything you like. Some, however, are very strict.So please do read the Ts & Cs when you sign up for a free bet deal, as you can actually make a lot of good money from bookies, but also lose out on the offer if you don't follow their rules.
