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Free Bets the Most Common Bonus Type for UK Betting Operators
We are spoilt for choice when it comes to the selection of bonus types at UK betting operators. You only have to look at some of the best betting bonus websites such as maxfreebets.co.uk, to see the tremendous selection of different bonus types for British online gamblers.
One of the most common bonus types for betting operators in the United Kingdom is the free bet. You will find this available at many of the leading online bookmakers, such as 888Sport, BetFred, William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral, BoyleSports, Condor gaming group and BetVictor. Many of the more recent additions to the online sports betting world have also chosen to offer a free bet to new customers, including Interbet, Karamba, RedZoneSports, Sportnation, and RubyBet.
With that in mind, exactly how does a free bet offer work?
Free bets tend to be set at a specific value, such as £10 or £20. in some cases, you can find a free bet offer up to the value of £50, which is a great deal. It is worth noting free bet offers are usually for new customers only but with a huge number of online bookmakers available looking to capitalise on the uncertain future given the events of 2020, you will always find a new one to join that has a free bet offer. In fact, every year we see the introduction of new online sports betting websites.
To claim a free bet at most online bookmakers, you first need to create a new account and add your details. You may even be asked to provide some form of identification to prove you are old enough to have a betting account. Having completed those steps, you must add a valid payment method to your account and make a deposit. Using the funds you have deposited into your account, you can place a bet on a sporting event and it is the act of placing this bet that will usually trigger the free bet.
Depending on the specific details of the free bet offer, you may need to place a bet over specified odds, such as evens. The only reason for this is to prevent people from backing a heavy favourite, winning the bet, and also claiming the free bet. If every bookmaker allowed new members to place a bet on any odds they wish to claim a free bet, they would not be in business long.
So, if you already have a bet in mind that exceeds the odds required to claim the free bet, you will essentially double the amount you have to bet at the bookmaker. However, it is worth keeping in mind you will not be granted the free bet until the original bet has cleared. This is common practice and you will find the same applies to all betting brands.
Once you have completed the easy to follow steps above, you will find the free bet awarded to your account. This will sometimes be in one lump sum or split across a few smaller free bets, such as four £5 free bets, making a total of £20.
Affiliate Announcements
Registration opens as ‘Nuevos Horizontes’ unveiled as creative theme for Barcelona-bound iGB Affiliate
As registration opens for iGB Affiliate, ‘Nuevos Horizontes’ (New Horizons) has been unveiled as the creative theme driving the international marketing campaign in support of the 2025 edition which will be the first to take place at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona alongside sister show ICE.
Explaining the thinking behind the creative Naomi Barton, iGB Events’ Global Portfolio Director said: “The iGaming industry is continually evolving, and our 2025 campaign invites affiliates to explore new horizons at our exciting new venue, Fira Gran Via in Barcelona.
“iGB Affiliate is the home of the igaming affiliate community, and it enables connection, growth and shared business success for our audience of affiliates, operators and tech vendors. This campaign will drive our community into uncharted territory, sparking a spirit of exploration that embraces emerging markets, innovative strategies, and untapped commercial opportunities. It equips affiliates with the tools and insights needed to adapt, innovate, and conquer new horizons.”
She added: “With our move to Barcelona we’re setting our sights on an incredibly bright future. The additional space at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, which is among the largest exhibition venues in Europe, will enable iGB Affiliate to achieve its full potential and continue to connect the best affiliates with the best operators and tech vendors.
“The 2025 edition of the show is set to feature a record 250 exhibitors and sponsors, occupying 15,000 sqm of space. The enhanced facilities in Barcelona will empower the affiliate community to forge new igaming connections, build strategic and trusted partnerships, expand their networks, and explore uncharted territories.”
Casino Guru has won the SBC Awards 2024 in the “Casino Affiliate of the Year” category, which was contested by 12 shortlists and, which was ultimately won by the company.
Casino Guru is the biggest database of online casinos and online casino bonuses with up-to-date information on thousands of online casinos on the internet, providing human-reviewed insight into individual casinos and devising a complex Safety Index to help assess brands and help players make an informed choice.
The database has grown rapidly, with Casino Guru upholding its “Casino Affiliate of the Year” status by consistently updating its repository with accurate, human-verified data. The accolade was awarded based on key performance indicators, including a more than 100% increase in organic traffic and a noticeable expansion in referring domains over the observed period.
Casino Guru’s Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling Šimon Vincze, had this to add: “Winning a major award for best casino affiliate is an excellent achievement for us because, as a private company, we do not disclose every commercial detail in the nomination. Instead, we focus on unique achievements and use publicly available information, which puts us at a disadvantage against publicly listed companies. Despite such strong competition, we still managed to convince the judges this year.”
Casino Guru has so far processed more than 6,930 casinos and it currently is the world’s largest gambling casino forum, proving an invaluable source of information for players of all backgrounds. The Casino Guru Forum now numbers 200,000 users and has generated 53,000 posts in the 12 months leading up to the company’s submission for SBC Awards 2024.
In the observed period, the brand has similarly handled 13,514 disputes, compared to 10,708 from the previous period and recovered $10,121,109 in player funds. Casino Guru established 310 new partnerships over the same period.
The accolade comes after Casino Guru added 1,201 new casino brands in the period leading up to the company’s submission alone, with 3,750 casinos reviewed over the extended period, the result of a dedicated joint effort by the company’s team of experts.
The company has used big data, consumer feedback, and a fastidious in-house team of analysts to ensure that it remains at the very forefront of the sector, winning it the important SBC Awards accolade in the “Casino Affiliate of the Year,” and further consolidate its status as an indispensable industry source for matching players with the best casino websites.
This is hardly the first distinction won by Casino Guru this year, or the first time Casino Guru’s efforts have been rewarded at an industry summit.
Casino Guru similarly secured the Vixio Global Regulatory Awards distinction in the “Outstanding Contribution to Safer Gambling” category, demonstrating that as an affiliate company, Casino Guru remains multi-faceted, and fully committed to bringing the safest and most reliable information to its players.
Quality Mark Responsible Affiliates (QMRA), the certification initiative for iGaming affiliate websites, is proud to announce the launch of individualized online certificates for its members. This new initiative is set to enhance transparency and trust among consumers, operators, and regulatory authorities by providing dedicated landing pages that validate each affiliate’s commitment to responsible and compliant practices.
Previously, QMRA members linked to a general certificate page. Now, each affiliate has its own specific online certificate, featuring a detailed overview of its compliance with the QMRA Code. This includes adherence to strict standards in responsible advertising, channelling objectives, and the promotion of responsible gambling. This change not only benefits stakeholders by showcasing the integrity and reliability of each certified website but also offers SEO advantages, as the certificates are uniquely tailored to the affiliate’s site.
Quote by Steven Vrolijk, LL.M., QMRA Director: “Our goal is to create a safer and more transparent iGaming environment. These online certificates reflect our members’ dedication to responsible gambling and compliance. This initiative will help consumers make informed choices and enhance the credibility of our affiliates in the eyes of operators and regulators.”
From now on, all new QMRA members will receive a dedicated certificate page upon certification. Existing members have been notified to update their footer links to their new, personalized certificate pages, which are accessible via the QMRA member overview page.
Registration opens as ‘Nuevos Horizontes’ unveiled as creative theme for Barcelona-bound iGB Affiliate
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Casino Guru takes the top distinction in SBC Awards 2024
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QMRA Online Certificates launched to boost transparency and trust in the iGaming Industry
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