Are Free Bets Legal?

It’s always interesting to see how much some humans enjoy the exhilaration of the unknown. For some reason, not knowing the outcome of something excites plenty of people and gives them a rush of a lifetime. Maybe that’s why betting is so much fun for many; they enjoy that feeling of staking your money on something without knowing the outcome. There’s a certain risk to it that all adrenaline junkies seek with their heart and soul. Of course, it doesn’t hurt either that you get to make the occasional buck out of being right, every now and then. For all its excitement, betting can turn sour if you start digging into that pension fund or college tuition fund for the kids. This is why many bookies resort to offering free bets for their clientele every now and then, but what exactly are they?

Free bets

What’s better than betting? Free betting. You’ll often find bookmakers giving away a big free bet to lure customers and beginners too afraid to get into the world of betting. But the notion of free betting can seem a bit worrisome still, financial aspect aside. Why would any bookie give away a bet? Well, in short, they stand to gain from it. If you do the math, many new customers will be drawn to the notion of a free bet, which is good for business, naturally. So, out of the new customers, how many would actually win? Logically speaking, the bookie always will be the winner. He’ll have gained a new customer that tried out the sweetness of betting; maybe they lost, but the bookie knows they’ll be back for more. That, and free bets usually have an angle that would make sure the bookie stands to gain. For example, if you win a free bet, you need to make more bets in order to be able to withdraw your winnings. This is why it’s important to read the terms and conditions of a free betting offer. Ok, still, I like what I’m hearing and I don’t mind the bookie’s edge. Next comes the more relevant question.

Are free bets legal?

Yes they are. Most countries have relaxed laws when it comes to betting, and free betting has been after all just normal gambling. It goes without saying that you need to be involved with a licensed and registered bookie. But if that is the case, then you don’t really have to worry about the legality of your free betting activities. Sports betting is the most common type of free betting, and more countries legalize it than not. Even the United States –– where sports betting was illegal until just recently –– has legalized sports betting now. You can bet on whatever sporting event you want to in the US without having to worry about any legal ramifications. Same applies to most countries, Western ones at least.

Look for the best offers

As we said, free betting is usually attached to a certain clause or catch that would give the bookie a win-win edge. This is why it’s important that you check all available free betting options, because you never know which will work out for you. Some types of free bets offer you zero-risk investments. So, you can’t really lose, basically. These are the types of free bets you want to be looking for. Keep an eye out for all available options, and again remember to read the terms and conditions because it will make the difference for you between a betting offer you should take and another you should drop.