Best free bets betting apps ranked
We compared the free bet welcome offers across the leading US sportsbook apps, looking at the value of each offer, how easy it is to claim, the terms attached, and the overall quality of the app. The table below gives a quick overview, followed by a detailed review of each app.
| App | Free bet offer | App rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | Up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets if your first bet loses | ⭐ 4.8 | Highest free bet value |
| DraftKings | Bet $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets | ⭐ 4.8 | Easiest to unlock |
| FanDuel | Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins | ⭐ 4.8 | Best app experience |
| bet365 | Bet $10 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets, win or lose | ⭐ 4.7 | Best win-or-lose offer |
| Fanatics | Bet and get up to $300 in Bonus Bets | ⭐ 4.8 | Best for beginners |
BetMGM — highest free bet value
- Comprehensive sports betting markets
- Regular bonuses and promotions
- Dedicated mobile betting apps
- Not available in all US states
BetMGM offers the highest free bet value of any app on this page. Its signature welcome offer is a second-chance bet worth up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first wager loses, which is ideal for placing a larger opening bet with a safety net. If your first bet wins you simply keep the winnings, and if it loses you get the stake back as bonus bets to try again.
The BetMGM app holds a ⭐ 4.8 App Store rating and 4.4 on Google Play, and is a reliable, well-organised app with fixed bottom tabs for quick navigation. As its own odds provider, BetMGM often offers competitive pricing, and it has the most comprehensive customer support of any sportsbook, including 24/7 live chat and phone access to real agents if you have a question about your bonus bets.
Because the free bet is issued as a lump sum of bonus bets when your first bet loses, it pairs well with the wide market coverage BetMGM offers, letting you spread your bonus bets across a range of sports and markets.
The current welcome offer is Bet $10 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets if you win, with the up to $1,500 second-chance offer available in some states. BetMGM also feeds existing users regular odds boosts and stake-back offers tied to the MGM Rewards ecosystem.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
DraftKings — easiest to unlock
- Legal in 26 US states
- Long A-Z list of sports markets
- Awesome promos
- Limited list of legal states
DraftKings offers one of the easiest free bet offers to unlock, requiring just a $5 qualifying bet to receive $150 in bonus bets. The low qualifying amount means you get a large return in bonus bets without needing to risk much of your own money, which makes it one of the most accessible offers for new bettors.
The DraftKings app holds a ⭐ 4.8 App Store rating and 4.7 on Google Play, and offers the deepest overall selection of betting markets of any US sportsbook. This makes it easy to put your bonus bets to work across a huge range of sports, leagues, and prop markets once they land in your account.
The bonus bets are typically issued as several smaller bets rather than one lump sum, giving you multiple chances to use them across different games. They come with a standard expiry period, so it is worth using them promptly.
Beyond the welcome offer, DraftKings runs one of the best ongoing promotions schedules in the industry, including profit boosts, parlay boosts, and regular bet and get offers that keep the free bet value flowing for existing players.
New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days
FanDuel — best app experience
- Wide range of sports and bet types
- Includes deep prop markets
- Fast withdrawals with PayPal and Venmo
- Reliable app with quick loading and stable live betting
- Some prop markets can be buried under extra clicks
FanDuel offers a Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets welcome offer, paid out if your first bet wins, and delivers it through what is widely regarded as the best sportsbook app in the US. For bettors who want a smooth, intuitive experience alongside a strong free bet offer, FanDuel is hard to beat.
The FanDuel app holds a ⭐ 4.8 App Store rating and 4.7 on Google Play, with a clean, beginner-friendly design that makes claiming and using your bonus bets effortless. It excels in the NBA and offers the original same game parlay builder, giving you plenty of appealing ways to spend your bonus bets once you have them.
The bonus bets are easy to apply from your bet slip, and the app clearly shows your bonus bet balance so you always know what you have available. Live betting and cash out are both well implemented if you want to use your bonus bets in-play.
FanDuel keeps existing players engaged with daily odds boosts, profit boost tokens, and same game parlay insurance, making it one of the best apps for ongoing free bet value after the welcome offer.
bet365 — best win-or-lose offer
- Generous welcome bonus
- 24/7 live chat
- Intuitive site interface
- Dedicated mobile app
- No VIP program
bet365 offers a Bet $10 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets welcome offer that pays out win or lose, which is one of the most appealing structures available. Unlike offers that only pay if your bet wins or only if it loses, this one guarantees you receive the bonus bets regardless of the result of your first wager, making it one of the most reliable free bet offers around.
The bet365 app holds a ⭐ 4.7 App Store rating and is fast, stable, and available on both iOS and Android. It is known for consistently competitive odds, deep market coverage, and its signature early payout feature, so there is plenty of value beyond the welcome offer itself.
The bonus bets land in your account after your qualifying bet is placed, and bet365's market-leading live streaming lets you put them to use on events you can watch directly within the app.
bet365 also runs daily odds boosts and ongoing promotions from the app's Promotions tab, giving existing players a steady stream of extra value.
Fanatics — best for beginners
- Wide range of sports and bet types
- Includes deep prop markets
- Fast withdrawals with PayPal and Venmo
- Reliable app with quick loading and stable live betting
- Some prop markets can be buried under extra clicks
Fanatics offers a bet and get welcome offer worth up to $300 in bonus bets, delivered through one of the most beginner-friendly apps in the US. Its clean, simple design makes claiming and using your free bets straightforward, which is a big plus for anyone new to sports betting.
The Fanatics app holds a ⭐ 4.8 App Store rating and 4.7 on Google Play. It offers a straightforward, uncluttered experience along with its distinctive FanCash rewards program, which lets you earn credit that can be spent on merchandise as well as bets, adding another layer of value beyond the bonus bets.
The app is also one of the fastest for withdrawals, with payouts often processed within 24 hours, so any winnings from your bonus bets reach you quickly.
Fanatics runs ongoing promotions and its FanCash rewards program gives existing players a steady stream of value on top of their betting, making it a strong all-round choice for newcomers.
What are free bets and how do they work?
A free bet, usually issued as a bonus bet, is a wager funded by the sportsbook rather than your own money. You place it just like a normal bet, but you do not risk any of your own cash on the outcome. If the bet wins, you keep the winnings, though not the stake itself. If it loses, you lose nothing.
The key thing to understand is how the winnings are paid. When you win with a real cash bet, you get back your stake plus your winnings. When you win with a bonus bet, you get back only the winnings, not the stake. For example, if you place a $25 bonus bet at even odds and it wins, you receive $25 in winnings rather than the $50 a cash bet would return. This is standard across all US sportsbooks and is the main way free bets differ from real cash.
Free bets are almost always how welcome offers are paid out. Rather than handing you cash, sportsbooks issue bonus bets that you use on further wagers, and only the winnings from those become withdrawable cash.
How to claim and use free bets on a betting app
Claiming a free bet offer on an app is quick. Follow the steps below to unlock and use your bonus bets.
- Download the app and register: Choose an app from our ranked list, download it from the App Store or Google Play, and create your account.
- Opt in to the offer if required: Some free bet offers are applied automatically, while others require you to opt in first. Check the promotions tab to make sure the offer is active on your account.
- Make your qualifying deposit and bet: Deposit using an available payment method and place the qualifying bet required by the offer, for example a $5 bet to unlock $150 in bonus bets.
- Receive your bonus bets: Once the qualifying bet settles or is placed, depending on the offer, your bonus bets are credited to your account. They usually appear as a separate balance from your cash.
- Select your bonus bet at the bet slip: Add a selection to your bet slip, then choose the option to apply a bonus bet rather than cash. The app will show you the potential winnings.
- Place the bet and withdraw winnings: If your bonus bet wins, the winnings are added to your cash balance and can be withdrawn like any other funds.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
+9
- 20+ sports available for wagering
- Pre-match and in-play betting
- Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
Bet $10 Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Find out more on bet365's website
- Over 20 sports
- Extensive betting markets
- Live betting feature
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
+7
- Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
- Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
- Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days
+7
- Bet on 40+ different sports
- Dynamic odds on live, in-play fixtures
- Deposit and bet $5 to receive up to $300 in bonus bets
10 x $100 bet match in FanCash
+3
- 15+ sports categories
- An extensive range of betting markets
- Supports in-play betting and live streaming
Free bet offer types on betting apps
Not all free bet offers work the same way. Understanding the different structures helps you choose the offer that suits how you like to bet. Here are the main types you will come across.
🎉 Bet and get
The most common type. Place a qualifying bet of a set amount and receive a fixed amount in bonus bets regardless of whether it wins or loses. For example, DraftKings offers Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets. These are popular because the low qualifying amount unlocks a large bonus.
💰 Second-chance or bet-back
You place a larger first bet, and if it loses, the sportsbook refunds your stake as bonus bets up to a set limit. BetMGM's up to $1,500 offer is the leading example. This suits bettors who want to place a bigger opening wager with a safety net.
✅ Win or lose
You receive the bonus bets no matter what happens with your qualifying bet. bet365's Bet $10 and Get $200 offer works this way, guaranteeing you the bonus regardless of the result. This is one of the most reliable structures since there is no downside.
📅 Daily or recurring free bets
Some offers spread the value across multiple days, giving you a set amount of bonus bets each day for a period. These reward consistent engagement and give you repeated chances to use free bets over a week or more.
Free bet terms to watch out for
Free bets are genuinely valuable, but they always come with terms attached. Knowing what to look for helps you avoid surprises and get the most from an offer. You can compare current offers on our free bets page.
⏳ Expiry period
Bonus bets almost always expire, often within seven days of being issued. If you do not use them in time, they are forfeited. Always check the expiry as soon as your bonus bets land so you do not lose them.
💵 Stake not returned
With a winning bonus bet, you receive only the winnings, not the stake. This is standard, but it is important to factor in when working out the real value of an offer compared to a cash bet.
📊 Minimum odds requirement
Many offers require your qualifying bet, and sometimes the bonus bets themselves, to be placed at a minimum odds level, such as -200 or longer. Bets at shorter odds may not qualify.
📋 Single use
Bonus bets are usually single use and cannot be split across multiple wagers or partially cashed out. Once you place a bonus bet, the full amount is committed to that wager.
🏦 State availability
Free bet offers vary by state, and the exact value or structure may differ depending on where you are located. The app will show the offer available in your state during sign-up.
How to pick the best free bets betting app
The right app depends on the type of offer you want and how you like to bet. If you want to compare operators more broadly first, our full list of betting sites is a good starting point. Use the criteria below to find the best free bet app for you.
💰 Offer value
The headline value matters, but so does how you get it. BetMGM has the highest ceiling at up to $1,500, but that is a bet-back offer, so you only get the full value if your first bet loses. A guaranteed Bet $5 Get $150 offer may be better value in practice for most bettors. Weigh the headline figure against the structure.
🔑 How easy it is to unlock
A low qualifying bet means you unlock the bonus without risking much of your own money. DraftKings and FanDuel both require just a $5 qualifying bet, making them among the easiest to unlock. Higher qualifying amounts mean more of your own money at stake to trigger the offer.
✅ Win-or-lose structure
Offers that pay out regardless of the result, like bet365's, carry no downside on your qualifying bet. Offers that only pay if you lose, or only if you win, add a condition. All else being equal, a win-or-lose offer is the most reliable.
⏳ Fair terms
Check the expiry period, minimum odds requirement, and how the bonus bets are issued. Bonus bets split into smaller amounts give you more flexibility, while a short expiry means you need to act fast. Fairer terms make an offer easier to actually use.
⭐ App quality
A well-designed, stable app makes claiming and using free bets effortless. Look for a strong App Store or Google Play rating as an indicator of overall reliability. FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Fanatics all rate highly.
Fastest-withdrawing free bets betting apps
Once you win with a bonus bet, the winnings become cash that you can withdraw. The table below shows typical payout speeds for the fastest apps. PayPal is usually the quickest method, and you can compare all options on our PayPal betting sites page.
| App | Payout methods | Typical payout speed |
|---|---|---|
| Fanatics | PayPal, online banking, card | Within 24 hours |
| DraftKings | PayPal, online banking, card | 24 to 48 hours |
| FanDuel | PayPal, online banking, card | 24 to 48 hours |
| bet365 | PayPal, online banking, card | 24 to 72 hours |
| BetMGM | PayPal, online banking, card | 24 to 72 hours |
Free bets and other betting bonuses
Free bets are just one type of promotion. The best apps offer a range of ongoing bonuses that keep delivering value long after you have used your welcome free bets. You can find current deals on our betting bonus page.
📈 Odds boosts
Enhanced odds on selected markets that give you a better price than the standard line. bet365 and DraftKings run daily odds boosts that are worth checking each morning.
🎯 Profit boost tokens
Tokens that increase your winnings on a chosen bet by a set percentage. FanDuel and DraftKings regularly hand these out to existing users, often tied to major events.
🛡 Parlay insurance
If one leg of your parlay lets you down, some apps refund your stake as a bonus bet. FanDuel is one of the best apps for this type of ongoing promotion.
🏆 Rewards programs
BetMGM's MGM Rewards and Fanatics FanCash reward every bet you place with points or credit, giving you extra value on top of any free bets.
Responsible gambling on betting apps
Betting should always be fun and never a way to make money or chase losses. All licensed betting apps include responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, session time limits, and self-exclusion options, which you can set directly within the app. If you ever feel your gambling is becoming a problem, help is available. You can call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 for free, confidential support 24 hours a day, or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling for resources and support tools. Only ever bet what you can afford to lose.
Other betting app guides
Looking for a betting app for a specific sport or platform? Explore our other betting app guides below to find the best options for your needs.
Final thoughts
For the highest free bet value, BetMGM is our top pick, with a second-chance offer worth up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first wager loses. It is the best choice for bettors who want to place a larger opening bet with a safety net.
If you would rather unlock a strong offer with a small qualifying bet, DraftKings and FanDuel both give you $150 in bonus bets for just a $5 bet, delivered through two of the best apps available. And for a guaranteed win-or-lose offer with no conditions, bet365 stands out. The best choice comes down to the offer structure that suits how you like to bet.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
+9
- 20+ sports available for wagering
- Pre-match and in-play betting
- Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
Bet $10 Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Find out more on bet365's website
- Over 20 sports
- Extensive betting markets
- Live betting feature
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
+7
- Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
- Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
- Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
FAQs
What is a free bet on a betting app?
A free bet, usually issued as a bonus bet, is a wager funded by the sportsbook rather than your own money. You place it like a normal bet without risking your own cash. If it wins you keep the winnings, though not the stake, and if it loses you lose nothing.
Do you keep the stake when a free bet wins?
No. When a bonus bet wins, you receive only the winnings, not the stake. For example, a winning $25 bonus bet at even odds returns $25 rather than the $50 a cash bet would return. This is standard across all US sportsbooks.
Which app has the best free bet offer?
BetMGM has the highest free bet value with up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first bet loses. However, DraftKings and FanDuel offer $150 in bonus bets for just a $5 qualifying bet, which many bettors find easier to unlock, and bet365 offers a guaranteed win-or-lose bonus.
How do I claim a free bet on a betting app?
Download the app, register, opt in to the offer if required, and place the qualifying bet. Once it settles or is placed, depending on the offer, the bonus bets are credited to your account and can be applied from your bet slip on future wagers.
Do free bets expire?
Yes. Bonus bets almost always expire, often within seven days of being issued. If you do not use them within the expiry window, they are forfeited, so it is worth using them promptly once they land in your account.
Can I withdraw a free bet?
No. You cannot withdraw a bonus bet itself. You can only withdraw the winnings from a bonus bet once it has won and those winnings have been added to your cash balance.
Are free bets worth it?
Yes. Free bets give you a way to bet without risking your own money, and any winnings become withdrawable cash. Just be aware of the terms, particularly the expiry period and the fact that the stake is not returned on a winning bonus bet.
