Qualifying Free Bets
In order to receive a qualifying free bet a customer must do something to become part of the process. This type of free bet applies to existing and new customers who must place a certain number of bets or place a certain type of bet in order to qualify. These types of bets are usually associated with markets that bookmakers like to take bets on, such as first goalscorer’s in soccer or multiple bets in horse racing.
How a qualifying free bet works
A qualifying free bet works by a customer receiving a free bet if they have followed a certain action. This may involve placing a certain number of bets, betting a specific amount over a predefined period of time or placing a bet on a specific market or event.
The qualifying free bet is then awarded if something specific does or does not happen in the context of a free bet. If bets are placed on a certain player to score a goal in a football match and he does not score customers will be entitled to a free bet. If a horse wins a race by a certain number of lengths customers who backed that horse will be entitled to a free bet.
Qualifying bets are offered when a certain event does happen or does not happen, for example:
A goal scored or a goal not scored by a player can earn a customer a free bet.
A horse winning a race or finishing second results in a qualifying free bet dependent on the original bet.
Event specific qualifying free bets
Qualifying free bets are generally associated with specific matches or events. These are usually short term markets that are settled quickly. The type of bet is available regularly and many times over the course of a season so the free bet offer can be applied repeatedly.
High profile soccer matches are good examples of events that lend themselves to qualifying free bets. Up to ten matches are shown live on dedicated sports channels over the course of a busy weekend which means the bookmakers have many opportunities to promote this type of free bet.
Examples of qualifying free bets
There are numerous examples of qualifying free bets and many concern horse-racing. One leading operator regularly has a qualifying free bet offer which involves selecting a multiple from a number of featured races. If one leg loses the customer receives a refund.
The terms are as follows:
- The minimum qualifying multiple bet for this promotion is a treble.
- If a treble is selected and one horse loses half the stake is refunded up to £100.
- The stake must be £200 in order to receive the maximum refund which comes in the form of a free bet.
- If a fourfold is selected a full refund applies if one horse loses. The maximum refund is £100 so that amount must be staked in order to receive the maximum refund.
Qualifying free bets are also offered on many soccer matches, particularly those shown live on television. One of the most common examples is first goalscorer bets refunded if the match ends goalless. The customer receives a free bet up to a maximum of £100 when there are no goals in a match on bets placed on the first player to score.
Greyhound racing is another sport that offers qualifying bets for the major televised races. A typical example is that if the selection finishes 2nd, beaten by a neck or less losing stakes will be refunded up to a value which is usually £100 and in the form of a free bet.
Conditions of a qualifying free bet
These offers are usually open to new and existing online, phone, mobile and shop customers. There is generally a maximum refund for this type of free bet and this can be anything between £10 and £100. In some cases a free bet token is issued and this appears separately on a customer’s account details. The free bet token or free bet is valid for a certain number of days, most commonly 28 days. After this period any unused free bet balance will be removed from a customer’s account.
Another common condition is that bets placed with previous free bets do not count. That means if a customer has qualified for a free bet he cannot use that free bet to place a further qualifying bet. Actual account money and not free bet money must be used in order to take advantage of a qualifying free bet.