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Free bets in Illinois

If you're looking for free bets in Illinois, you've come to the right place. On this page, we'll show you the latest list of sportsbooks that offers free betting promos. We will also guide you on how to maximize the value out of this type of promotion.

Table of contents

Latest free bets in Illinois

1 BetRivers
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$500
in Free Bets
21+ and present in IL. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

What is a free bet?

With a free bet, you can place a wager without any risk of losing real money. The free bet amount will usually be credited to your account once you make your first deposit or enter a promo code. A free bet is one of the common bonuses that bookmakers in Illinois offer to players.

You should always read the terms and conditions of your bookmaker to be well informed. For example, some may require you to make a particular minimum deposit to claim the free bet bonus. Also, some will match the stake of your first bet, but others won't.

Different types of free bets offered by IL sportsbooks

Free bets exists in many different forms, and it's important that you understand how they work, so that you can take maximum advantage of them. Read more about the different type of free bets offered by sportsbooks in Illinois below:

No deposit free bet

No deposit free bet is one of the most exciting bonuses for players. This is because you don't need to use cash to claim it. All you have to do is find a reliable bookmaker offering it, sign up, and enter your no deposit free bet code. Some bookmakers will have a few conditions that players must meet.

For instance, some will offer this option on certain sports or events only. Additionally, no deposit free bets have a relatively small stake, mostly $5. Note that some bookmakers may not include this stake in the winning returns. Also, bookmakers usually have a limited time to use the no deposit free bet.

No deposit free bet can be offered in different ways, including no deposit free spins, cashback, or free cash balance on your first deposit. Basically, with these options, you won't use your deposit.

Free bet on first deposit

With the free bet first deposit option, you are required to make a deposit to enjoy the free bet bonus. A particular bonus percentage will be added to your initial deposit.

However, this free bet type has a few requirements that you should look out for. For example, you may be required to make a certain minimum number of bets using your deposit to be allowed to withdraw any winnings made from your free bet bonus.

Stake not returned

Stake not returned is a common free bet option in which your original stake will not be included in your returns. This means that you will only get your winnings back. Fortunately, it is still advantageous as you won't use your cash to place bets.

It will be best to use stake not free bet calculators to know how much you will get back from a bookmaker to determine if it is practical. You want to sign up to a bookmaker with a stake not returned free bet that profits you.

Several sites offering the calculator exist online, thus you should find one that is easy to use. With most calculators, you will enter your bet amount, back odds, lay odds, lay commission, and then press calculate. The calculator will give you two numbers, which are lay stake and profit/loss.

Lay stake is the amount you need to lay on the exchange to maximize the profits and eliminate the chances of losses. The profit/loss section shows the profits or loss of your bets. This number helps you know the profit or loss the lay bet will cover when you win using your free bet.

Stake returned as free bet

With stake returned as free bet, when you win a bet, you will get your returns plus the original free stake. You will receive a real cash bonus in your wallet. Most bookmakers offer this free bet option because most players gravitate towards it.

Since the bookmaker will return your initial stake, you don't need to use a calculator on this free bet type. Note that some bookmakers will have a limit to how much of the stake can be returned.

Qualifying free bet

A qualifying free bet is one that you will receive after you meet certain set conditions. For example, a bookmaker can require you to place a particular number of bets to qualify for this free bet.

Other conditions to qualify for this free bet are betting a specific amount over a set period or betting on a particular event. A qualifying free bet is also applicable if certain things don't happen. For example, in horse racing, if you bet a specific horse will not finish first, you may qualify for a free bet if that was the condition set by the bookmaker.

This free bet type is mostly offered in soccer matches and horse racing. Remember, each event has different qualification requirements. Thus, you should go through the terms and conditions to get everything right. You can also contact your bookmaker to make the right calls. Qualifying free bets are offered to both new and existing customers.

Matched free bet

A matched free bet is one that equals your deposit. For example, if you deposit $30, you will get an extra $30. This free bet type is mainly given to new customers when they sign up with a bookmaker.

However, a few bookmakers offer it to existing accounts, but the qualifying stake may be higher. Although this free bet type is not common outside UK markets, it can help you make significant profits. Thus, you should always consider bookmakers that have it.

Risk free bet

Many bookmakers have a welcome bonus referred to as risk-free bet, mainly in the US market. With this option, if you win, you keep your winnings. But if you place a bet and lose, you will get your money back in the form of site credit or a free bet to wager at the bookmaker. Some betting sites also refund fully withdrawable cash to your account.

How to claim a free bet

There are mainly two different ways of claiming a free bet, which includes using a betting bonus code or following links to special offers.

  • By using a promo code. Claiming free bets in Illinois by using a promo code is straightforward. You can find the latest free bet promo codes on this page. Once you complete this process of signing up and entering your code, your free bet will be valid.
  • By following a link. Another way to claim free bets is by following our links to special offers. We look for the best sports betting offers daily and publish them here on our site, and sometimes you just need to follow these links in order to clam you free bet promotion.

How to get the best free bets in Illinois

Now that you have obtained adequate information about how free bets work, you should know how to get the best bonuses and make the most out of them.

Register on multiple sportsbooks

Since most bookmakers offer limited free bets, it can be challenging to make a decent amount from it. For this reason, you should consider registering on multiple sports betting sites.

For example, you can sign up on a mobile sports betting app that offers profitable free bets on soccer matches and another one that focuses on horseracing offers. This allows you to enjoy free bets from different sports.

Also, you can sign up on two bookmakers offering the same sport and bet differently. For example, on one site, you can bet for a particular team to win, and in the next one, you will bet against it. This way, regardless of the results of the match, you will win in one of the sportsbooks.

Refer a friend

Some bookmakers will offer you a code that will earn you a free bet bonus when someone signs up with it. This is usually a great incentive for new players, and in turn, it gives you bonuses.

Loyalty and rewards program

Signing up for loyalty and reward programs on bookmakers can also help you get the best free bets in Illinois. This is because most bookmakers usually have better bonuses for VIP customers.

Pros & cons of betting for free

Last but not least, it's important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of this type of sports betting bonus. As it may come with many upsides, there are also a few downsides you need to be aware of.

Pros

  • Learning how to make the right moves. When you are a new member of a bookmaker, it is vital to learn how to make the right moves when it comes to sports betting. Therefore, free bets give you this opportunity as you won't be betting with real money.
  • Trying new strategies. Free bets offered to existing customers give them an opportunity to try new strategies. If you want to change your betting approaches but are afraid of losing money, free bets are the best option for you. Thus, if your bookmaker has an ongoing free bet program, you should take part in it and employ your new strategies.
  • It's entertaining. The feeling of betting on your favorite games without losing money is significantly exciting. Besides, it is thrilling to win a bet without using your stake. However, despite this fact, it is still vital to make the right moves to gain experience. Also, ensure that you understand the right bet type you are using to avoid misunderstandings.

Cons

  • Strict requirements. At times, bookmakers can have strict requirements that players must fulfill before they can enjoy the winnings they made from free bets. For example, you may be required to make multiple bets to withdraw your cash. As a result, you will have to bet with actual money at some point to withdraw your free bet cash winnings.
  • Limited access to markets. When you are betting with free bets, there is a high chance the bookmaker will push you towards markets with fewer options to wager on. This means that you won't unlock the full potential of sports betting when using free bets.

Best free bets in IL


BetRivers $500
in Free Bets
21+ and present in IL. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

FAQ

Why do IL sportsbooks offer free bets?

IL sportsbooks offer free bets for different reasons. First, they offer it to attract new players, increasing traffic to their website. Also, they want to give players a chance to learn how to make the right calls when betting before they can start using real money.

Which sportsbooks in Illinois have free bets?

Examples of sportsbooks in Illinois that offer free bets are PointsBet, BetRivers and DraftKings. You should compare the free bets type and amounts offered by these bookmakers and choose one that works for you.

Can I withdraw winnings from a free bet?

Yes, you can withdraw winnings made from a free bet. However, you often need to fulfill the requirements set by your chosen bookmaker in order to do so.