
Cheltenham Free Bets
You can find all our offers for Cheltenham Festival Free Bets on this dedicated page and they can be used on the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, which takes place between Tuesday 12th March and Friday 15th March. Read More
We have a number of terrific free bet offers and sign-up deals for new customers from an array of betting sites, and it couldn't be simpler for you, as you can click on the link and follow the instructions provided and open a betting account.
For those all-important Cheltenham Tips, you can find them on our dedicated page, which could help you decide where you place your Cheltenham free bets during the week.
#AD New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile Exclusive. £30 in FREE Bets (FB) as £20 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. 18+ T&Cs apply.
#AD New customers only. First single & e/w bet only. 5p minimum stake. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply. 18+. Begambleaware.org
#AD T&Cs apply. New customers, Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. Stake not returned. Opt-in required. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.
#AD New Customers only. Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply.
#AD 18+ only. New customers only. For verified UK clients only. The qualifying bet should start at £10 and have 1.5 or greater odds. Following the qualifying bet, you will receive 4 free bets that can be used one after another. Each free bet lasts for 7 days. Single bet only. Pre-Match or Live. No Cash-Out. Max payout – £500. T&Cs apply.
#AD 18+ New UK customers. Bet £10 on accas with 4+ legs, min odds 3/1 (4.0). Get 4x £5 Free Bets and 50 Free Spins, valid for 7 days on selected bets and games only. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
#AD 18+. Accounts are only available to persons aged 18 years or over. Placing bets by anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited and AK Bets reserves the right to void any transactions with any such person. AK Bets may carry out age verification checks in accordance with Our Privacy Policy. Full Terms & Conditions Apply. BeGambleAware.org
#AD 18+. New Customers Only. Max one £20 Free Bet. Qualifying bets at Odds of 1/1(2.00) or greater. Paid as Bonus Token with Min 4/5(180) Odds Req. Skrill, Neteller & Paypal not eligible. BeGambleAware.org. T&Cs Apply
#AD Offer valid for new Betgoodwin customers aged 18 years and over. 50% of first day losses refunded as a free bet. To be credited within 24 hours. Max free bet per customer £25.Minimum of 3 bets of £10 or more on separate events at odds of evens (2.0) or bigger to qualify. First day losses equals all settled stakes less all return before 23:59. Free bets must be used in their entirety and stakes are deducted from returns. Free bets are non withdrawable and to be credited within 24 hours. This offer can not be used in conjunction with any other Betgoodwin opening offer.This offer is limited to one free bet per person/household/IP address. Betgoodwin reserves the right to withhold, restrict or cancel this offer from individuals in accordance with Betgoodwin Terms and Conditions 11.8 & 11.9. T&Cs Apply.
#AD 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £20 on Horse Racing, 1/1+ odds in 7 days, no cash out. Get £40 in Free Bets on set markets valid 7 days. Debit Card / Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply. See below. begambleaware.org | Please Gamble Responsibly.
#AD This promotion is for new customers only. Customers must be 18+. Customers must be residents of the UK/IE. Sign Up using the promo code b25g10fb and make a minimum deposit of £25.. Place a minimum £25 bet on any selection with minimum odds of evens (2.0) and receive a £10 free bet upon bet settlement. BeGambleAware.org. Full terms & conditions apply.
#AD Offer applies to bets placed online only, on UK & Irish on both Horse & Greyhound racing (includes singles & multiples), on bets placed from 09:00 UK Time on the day of race, on race winner markets only. T&Cs apply, BeGambleAware.org
#AD New Customers Only using code MB20. Minimum Odds of 1.8 for first bet to qualify. Losses will be refunded on first bet only, as a free bet up to £20. Users cannot back and lay the same selection on the first bet. Qualifying bets open to Exchange, Matchbook Zero & Multiples. Only open to users who deposit via debit card. New Customers Only. 18+. BeGambleAware.org
#AD New 18+ UK customers only. Register with promo code WELCOME40, deposit and place 1st bet of £10+ on Sports (cumulative Evens+) within 7 days of registration. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets and £10 in Free Spins (50x20p) credited in 10 hours of bet settlement. Free Bet stakes not included in any returns. Bonuses expire in 7 days. Payment restrictions apply. SMS verification and/or Proof of I.D and address may be required. Full T&Cs apply.
#AD 18+ New customers only. Sign up using the promo code ‘bet10get10’ and make a minimum deposit of £10 Place a min £10 bet on any selection with min odds of evens (2) and receive a £10 Free Bet. Cashed Out or void bets will not qualify for a welcome bonus. Build-a-Bets will not count towards this promotion. Each-way bets must have a minimum £20 total stake to qualify for a welcome bonus. Bets taken with SP will not qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply.
AD 18+ begambleaware.org. New customers only. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus if first bet loses. Wagering requirements: sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 50x. Unless forfeited the sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Bonus expires 7 days after opt-in. No deposit required for NI customers. Call 08081699314 to claim. Full T&Cs apply.
#AD 18+, New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on any sports (odds 2.00+) in 7 days. No cash out. Get 4x£5 sports free bets for set markets (odds 2.00+), expires in 7 days. Offer valid from 10:00 UK time on 16/01/2023. Card payments only. T&Cs Apply. begambleaware.org | Please Gamble Responsibly
#AD 18+ Use code COMMFREE to trade with 0% commission for 60 days. New UK, IE & Malta users only. Min. £10/€10 first deposit only using Debit Card or Instant Banking. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
#AD Qualifying real money bet of £10. Min odds greater than or equal to 1.5 required. E/W bets excluded. Offer awarded immediately but could be issued the next working day in exceptional circumstances such as technical fault. Additional T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
#AD New Customers Only. If your Sportsbook account shows a net loss by the end of the first day (day ends at 23:59), you'll be awarded a Free Bet equivalent to 50% of the losses, up to £50, plus a £20 Casino Bonus. Terms and conditions apply. BeGambleAware.org
#AD 18+ begambleaware.org. New Grosvenor registrations only, Bet must be placed using real money in combination with the Odds Boost Token, Offer applies to Sport bets only. Max stake £10. Each way bets are a max of £5 each way (£10 total). Odds Boost token expires after 60 days. T&Cs apply.
#AD 18+ begambleaware.org; New bettors get 50% of deposit up to £50; Once per household; Min deposit £15 (no Skrill/Neteller); Wager a total of 8 times deposit + bonus, with max qualifying bet stake equal to your initial bonus amount; Bonus expires after 60 days; Min odds of 4/5 on singles, or 2/5 per leg for acca; Some bet types excluded; See full terms.
#AD. New members. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of each-way bets only. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: Valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex. each-way & multiple bets), stakes not returned. **Max Free Bet £10. Free Bet: non-withdrawable, use in 7 days on sportsbook only. Stake not returned. Full T&C's apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org. 18+
#AD 18+ New members only. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from crediting (ex. E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. T&Cs apply, BeGambleAware.org
#AD 18+ New UK customers only. £5 Min Deposit, max free bet: £30. 1st bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets upon settlement of the qualifying bet. Offer valid for 7 days of account registration. 50 Bonus Spins credited on placement of qualifying Acca bet.50x bonus wagering applies & weighting requirements, Bonus spins available on selected games & expires 7 days. Debit card deposits only (excl. apply). BeGambleAware.org. Full T&Cs apply
#AD 18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus, credited as 3x £10 bets. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply.
# AD 18+ | New Customer Only – Promo Code: NEWWELCOME60 required | 50% back on net LOSSES over your first 3 calendar days | requires min 3 x£10 qualifying bets in same 3 days| Min return £l free bet | T&Cs apply | UK residents using debit card | Please gamble responsibly
#AD New Players Only. Min £10 qualifying bets stake not returned. Free bet - one-time stake of £30, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply.
#AD Place a qualifying £25 fixed odds bet at odds of 1/2 or greater and get £50 in bonuses 5 x £5 free fixed odds bets, 4 x free £5 spread bets + 50 free spins on Starburst. Qualifying bet cannot be placed in-play or cashed out early. T&Cs Apply. 18+ begambleaware.org
#AD New customers online only. £/€10 min stake (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place). Receive £/€30 Tote Credit within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7 day expiry. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet-slip. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleaware.org
#AD 18+ If your account has Sportsbook losses at the end of first day's betting, get 50% refund of your losses as a Free Bet up to £35 (min 3 bets) Plus 10 Free Spins. Even if account is up, guaranteed a £5 Free Bet Plus 10 Free Spins provided you place at least 1 bet of £10 or greater at the minimum odds. T&Cs apply | New UK Customers Only | BeGambleAware.org
#AD 18+ New casino accounts only. Min. £10 deposit, debit card only. Up to 50x wagering, game contributions vary, max. stake applies, 7-day expiry. Full T&Cs apply. 32Red match your first deposit amount up to £150, e.g. Deposit £100, 32Red will match up to 150% = Bonus of £150. Gamble responsibly. begambleaware.org
#AD New UK customers only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via "My Offers" page within 30 days. Skrill/Neteller deposits excluded. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play. Max. extra winnings £100.T&C's apply, 18+ begambleaware.org
Open an account with Coral, place a bet of £5 or more and recieve 4 x £5 in free bets. 18+ Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 4 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&C's apply, 18+ begambleaware.org
#AD 18+ New cust only. 3 days to claim & 7 days to place a qualifying bet to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 Football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply.
Sign up using promo code 20FREE, bet £5+ on any sport and get 4 x £5 free bets. 18+ New UK+IRE customers. Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 4 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. T&C's apply, 18+ begambleaware.org
How To Claim Cheltenham Free Bets
Here at HorseRacing.net we give you all the information on how to get free bets on the Cheltenham Festival
With a great range of offers and price promises in addition to a wealth of markets on every race, bet365 are one of our recommended betting sites for horse racing.
- Best Odds Guaranteed
- Price Promise available on every ITV Race
- Not the prettiest website
- Sometimes criticised for restricting winning bettors
Boylesports are one of the leading betting sites on the market and you can place bets on a whole host of markets during the Cheltenham Festival, so it's a must-have for racing punters.
- Best Odds Guaranteed available the day before racing
- Various markets available to bet on a daily basis
- Boylesports can sometimes offer shorter prices about the bigger priced contenders
William Hill has been a household name in the betting world for decades and with some eye-catching new customer offers and raceday boosts they are one of the most popular betting sites on the market.
- Offer competitive prices for punters
- Can offer boosts on horse racing for selected customers
- Can be known to restrict winning punters
- Only offer Best Odds Guaranteed from 10am on the day of the race
BetUK may not hold the same stature in the gambling world as some of the more famous betting companies, but they are gradually forcing their way into the picture.
- Have an eye-catching new customer sign-up bonus that is worth checking out
- Best Odds Guaranteed is only available from 11am on the day of the race
Popular Cheltenham Betting Markets
There are 28 races that take place during the Cheltenham Festival, but there's no doubting the showpiece races on both the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are the feature events of the week and are the most popular betting events. On the opening day the Champion Hurdle is the feature race as the premier two-mile hurdlers do battle, while on day two the Queen Mother Champion Chase is the highlight as the elite two-mile chasers do battle.
Swiftly turning attentions to day three of the Cheltenham Festival, the Stayers' Hurdle is an extremely popular betting market, but it goes without saying that the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the major betting heat of the entire four-day National Hunt extravaganza and the Cheltenham odds for the race offer fascinating insight to the blue riband event. the premier staying chasers do battle in the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup, which has been won by some of the biggest names in the history of horse racing.
For each of the 28 races there will be a host of markets available with various betting sites, but the standout betting markets will be the win markets as punters look to back the winner of the race. Meanwhile, those looking for a little safety net could snap up the each-way market where you have to pick a selection to place. With some big-runner fields taking place throughout the Cheltenham Festival then the each-way betting is hugely popular. Other bets that can be placed and are popular are the forecast markets as you look to pick out the first and second past the post, while the Placepot and Jackpot are another brace of popular betting markets.
Key Cheltenham Races
Four days of seven races a day serves up 28 fantastic spectacles, but we pick out some of the highlights of each day's racing here.
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
What is a Free Bet?
A free bet is a sportsbook bonus that gives players a specified amount of money to bet on the races when they make a qualifying bet or deposit. This bonus is usually offered to new customers, but can also be offered to existing customers, especially in the lead up to big events like the Cheltenham Festival.
As an example, both 888sport and William Hill offer new players £30 in Cheltenham free bets when they make an initial deposit of £10.
How Does a Free Bet Work?
Free bets work sort of like tokens. Once you’ve made your qualifying bet – which will usually be a minimum £10 stake – you will receive a free bet token worth an amount that will vary depending on the bookie. That free bet can certainly be placed on the Cheltenham races, but you can also explore other markets or sports that aren’t restricted from the bonus, which you’ll be able to find out in the terms and conditions.
How to Choose Your Free Bet
There’s a lot to consider when deciding which Cheltenham free bet to go for. Let’s break down the most important elements of free bet bonuses, so that you know what to look out for when choosing which sportsbook to sign up with.
- Qualifying bet – A qualifying bet is the amount that you will have to wager – or sometimes just deposit – of your own money in order to receive your free bets. This is usually £10, but can sometimes stretch to £20, so make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
- Minimum odds – Bookmakers will also stipulate that your qualifying bet must adhere to minimum odds requirements. These exist to prevent players from placing exceedingly safe qualifying bets, however, they are generally still rather modest. For example, at 10bet, the minimum odds for your qualifying bet is 4/5, whereas William Hill’s stands at 1/2.
- Time limits – Your free bets will expire after a specified period of time, meaning you may not have long to use them. Free bets usually last 30 days, but some bookies – like 10bet – give new players 90 days to place their free bets however they like. If you plan on using your free bets at Cheltenham, don’t sign up for the offer too soon, as they may expire by the time March comes around.
- Available markets – Some bookies will only allow you to use your free bets on certain markets. For example, each way and permutation bets are often excluded, and if a bookmaker is offering an events-based promotion, as they will for the Cheltenham Festival, you may only be able to bet on a specific market for that particular event.
- Wagering requirements – Wagering requirements refer to the amount that you will need to wager before you can withdraw any real cash from your free bet. For example, if your £30 free bets came with wagering requirements of 5x, you would have to wager £150 before you could make any cash withdrawals. Luckily, though these are so often the bane of online casino bonuses, you will rarely come across them at the bookies, but it’s important to be aware of them nonetheless.
- Stake contribution – Stake contribution refers to the amount that different markets and stakes will contribute to your wagering requirements. As wagering requirements are quite rare in sports betting, it’s unlikely you’ll encounter differing stake contributions, but if you do, they will usually declare that lower stakes contribute less to your wagering requirements. Despite being uncommon, terms like these can cause confusion when stumbled across in the terms and conditions, so it’s best to be in the know.
- Money back bet – Some bookies provide free bets in the form of a ‘money back bet’. This simply means that when you make your qualifying bet, rather than rewarding you with free bet tokens, the bookmaker will refund you if you lose. If you win, you simply keep your money. Therefore, a money back bet is a good opportunity to bet big on an outside horse, knowing full well that you’ll get your money back if it doesn’t come through.
- Payment method exclusions – Bookies will sometimes limit the payment methods you can use to make your qualifying bet, the most commonly excluded options being e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill and Neteller. Just in case, always check to see if your preferred option is included.
Pros and Cons of Free Bets
- Getting acquainted with a new bookie – Free bets are an excellent, low-risk way of getting familiar with a new site;
- More enjoyable – Free bets allow you to place interesting wagers without having to worry about how much you’re spending;
- Chance to win without staking considerable cash – As a number of free bet offers don’t come with wagering requirements, you might be able to make real cash from your free bets;
- Opportunity to bet on new markets – As you don’t stand to lose anything with free and money back bets, it’s a good opportunity to explore other, more unfamiliar markets.
- Market restrictions – Some free bets will be restricted to specific markets;
- Wagering requirements – It’s quite possible that there will be wagering requirements attached to your free bets, making them not quite as ‘free’ as they first appeared. Depending on the time limits, you may also not have very long to clear these requirements, which will prevent you from withdrawing any cash from your free bet;
- Payment method exclusions – You may find that your preferred payment option is excluded from the bonus;
- Minimum odds – Your qualifying bets can’t be too safe, so you may have to lose £10 on an outside horse in order to get your free bet.
How to Claim a Free Bet
- Sign up to one of the bookies on our list of the best Cheltenham free bet offers, but be sure to read through the various terms and conditions beforehand;
- Make a qualifying bet that adheres to both the minimum odds and the payment exclusions;
- Check your account to see if you’ve received your Cheltenham free bet;
- Explore the various markets available to you;
- Place your first bet.
Free Bets Terms and Conditions Explained
Though it’s no fun, checking the bonus terms and conditions is very important when choosing between Cheltenham free bet offers, as they can make all the difference between one offer and the next. Here are some of the terms you need to be on the lookout for:
Win limits
Win limits – or ‘caps’ – are restrictions on how much money you can win from your free bet. Not every betting site will impose this restriction, and withdrawing the maximum amount from your bonus would be an impressive feat regardless, so this shouldn’t significantly impact your overall gambling experience. They do vary from bookie to bookie, however, so make sure you’ve checked the terms and conditions before accepting an offer. 888sport’s bonus winnings are capped at £500, for example.
Minimum odds
Your qualifying bet must adhere to the declared minimum odds in order to receive your free bet. These will usually be low – often falling around the evens or even 1/2 mark, as it is with William Hill – so there shouldn’t be too many problems here, but it’s worth double checking just in case you fancied betting on the favourite and their odds aren’t high enough.
For a free bet promotion, we recommend you go for the safest odds possible for your qualifying deposit, and are more bold with your free bets, so that you’re not risking too much money in the pursuit of your free bet privileges. If you were playing with a money back bet, however, it might be worth going for the longer odds from the off, as you’re sure to be refunded if it doesn’t come through.
Wagering requirements
Wagering requirements are the amount that you’ll have to wager before you can withdraw any real cash from your free bets, and as such have the frustrating ability to nullify your bonuses.
While these are more prominent in the world of online casinos, you might still come across them at various bookies. If you do, you usually only have to wager one or two times the value of your Cheltenham free bet, which is much less than they tend to be at the casino. Therefore, wagering requirements shouldn’t make it too difficult for you to make cash returns from your free bets at online bookmakers, but even the slightest wagering requirements can present difficulties, so keep an eye out for them.
Time limits
Every bookie will declare how much time you have to place your free bets – be it one week, one month or three months. If you don’t like feeling rushed, or don’t want to have to spend quickly in order to clear any wagering requirements you might have, go for the offer with the longest shelf life. However, if you’re a frequent gambler, even one week is likely plenty of time to use all of your free bets, as long as there aren’t any wagering requirements attached.
Market restrictions
Free bets will often be restricted to certain markets. Many free bets can only be spent on horse racing, while others allow users to explore a number of different sports and markets. Browse through the different offers and choose whichever free bet package suits you best, whether it’s one that caters specifically to the Cheltenham festival, or one that will allow you to branch out.
Cheltenham Free Bet Offers
Pretty much all horse racing betting sites offer Cheltenham free bets, most commonly in the form of a welcome bonus. Here’s a quick look at some of the best promotions currently on offer.
BetMGM
Signing up and betting £10 at BetMGM will unlock £40 worth of bonus bets: a £10 horse racing bet to use on Cheltenham or other markets; a £10 acca; a £10 football bet; and a £10 bet builder.
bet365
bet365’s welcome bonus is one of the most flexible, giving new punters £30 of bet credit when they stake £10 at the site. Whether you’re using it on Cheltenham or something else, you can stake it however you like — all in one, or split across multiple bets.
#AD New Customers only. Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply.
BoyleSports
New customers at BoyleSports can dive into both sides of this betting site, with a £10 stake unlocking £20 of free bets plus a £10 casino bonus.
#AD New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile Exclusive. £30 in FREE Bets (FB) as £20 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. 18+ T&Cs apply.
Sky Bet
We’re big fans of Sky Bet’s betting bonus, which can of course be used on Cheltenham. Once you’ve signed up and deposited £10, you have to stake just 5p on any market at 1/1 or greater and you’ll receive three £10 bet credits.
#AD New customers only. First single & e/w bet only. 5p minimum stake. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply. 18+. Begambleaware.org
Cheltenham Gold Cup Free Bets
The highlight of the Cheltenham Festival is undoubtedly the Cheltenham Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious National Hunt races in the world. While the festival schedule is packed with thrilling contests, the Gold Cup is not to be missed. It’s also a great time to pick up some Cheltenham free bets, particularly with additional promotions such as extra place payouts.
Horse Racing Betting Site Payment Options
To take advantage of Cheltenham free bets, you’ll usually have to make a qualifying bet at your chosen bookmaker — and to do that, you’ll need some funds in your betting wallet. Below is a rundown of some of the different payment options you might come across. But before you claim, be sure to check the T&Cs for payment exclusions.
PayPal
One of the most popular e-wallet services, PayPal is a great choice for bettors looking to keep all their funds in one place. With a free PayPal account, you can hold a balance or link different payment cards. Then, simply use your registered email and password to log in and complete the transaction — no sharing of your financial info with the bookie is required. Along with convenience and security, withdrawal speed is another major benefit of PayPal and you’ll often receive your money within an hour or so of making the request.
Debit Cards
Still favoured by the majority of users, debit cards are a quick and simple way to make your deposit and they’re always eligible when claiming a bonus. Deposits land instantly, although withdrawals may take a few days to arrive.
Trustly
Open Banking payment solution Trustly acts as an intermediary between your bookie and your bank account. There’s no need to sign up to use the service — instead, you connect it with your online bank account using the secure Trustly portal. From there, instant deposits and withdrawals can be made with ease, and the service is usually eligible for bonuses too.
Paysafecard
If you’d rather keep your financial details off the net altogether, a prepaid card like Paysafecard is a fantastic option. These vouchers can be bought at retail locations like newsagents or supermarkets, and the 16-digit code can then be used to deposit at Cheltenham bookies. The main drawback is withdrawals are rarely supported via this method.
Skrill
Skrill is another e-wallet popular among bettors. Benefits include strong security, convenience, and transaction speed. However, Skrill is often disqualified when claiming Cheltenham free bets, and there are also a few fees attached when moving money between your Skrill balance and a bank account.
Neteller
Neteller is owned by the same company as Skrill, and its service is incredibly similar. As with all e-wallets, you’ll be able to complete transactions without sharing financial info with the bookmaker, but you’ll likely be disqualified from claiming any Cheltenham free bets.
Horse Racing Betting Site Bonuses
Many bookies offering Cheltenham free bets will let you use your welcome bonus on other events, or feature other promotions for existing customers. Curious what else you might find at our partner sites? Read on to find out.
Free Bets
While welcome free bets are the most common kind of offer you’ll find, they’re often dished out to existing customers too. Free bet clubs are one way in which you can get some more bang for your buck, with rewards usually landing in the laps of those who bet a certain amount within a week. Other free bets you might find are given as a ‘refund’ if your qualifying bet loses, or those that are handed out through the sportsbook’s marketing.
Matched Deposits
Matched deposits are more often associated with online casinos, but you do occasionally find them at horse racing betting sites as well. Here, your qualifying deposit is matched by a certain percentage and up to a certain amount. A 100% match up to £20, for example, would see you get £20 in additional bet credit when you deposit £20.
Cashback
If you’re a regular bettor, cashback promotions can be a great way to get more from your budget. Typically, cashback is given based on your total bets or losses during a certain period — say 5% on your net losses each week. The cashback will usually be given as bet credit that can’t be withdrawn, but you can still use it to bet on Cheltenham or something else.
Promo Codes
Some bonuses can be claimed with a promo code that’s entered when you sign up or make a deposit. Rewards can include things like free bets, matched deposits, and odds boosts. Where can you find these codes? Sometimes it pays to opt into marketing emails or follow your bookie on social media, but you can also receive them directly through your sportsbook account.
Enhanced Odds
Enhanced odds or odds boosts are a fantastic way to increase the profit on winning bets. Often, specific markets are given an enhanced price, but you might also get a token to use on a market of your choice. The price is boosted — say from 2/1 to 3/1 — and if your bet wins, you’ll benefit from the uplift.
Free Spins
Many horse racing betting sites double up as online casinos, and free spins are an excellent way to get a taste of the slots without betting your own money. Sometimes, these are bundled in with a betting bonus or offered as a separate welcome package to use at the online casino. Keep in mind these deals usually come with wagering requirements which prevent you from withdrawing the bonus and resulting winnings until they’re fulfilled.
Cheltenham Results
Our site is a one-stop shop for all things Cheltenham, and that includes results for every single race over the four days. As soon as the horses are across the line and the winners are confirmed, you’ll find the finishing order published on our page along with more details about each runner. Simply head over to our Cheltenham results page to get started, where we have historic results going all the way back to 2010.
Cheltenham Odds
Not all betting sites are created equal when it comes to how they price their markets. Fortunately, our extensive coverage of Cheltenham odds will let you find the best odds across every race at the festival. Simply click through and select your race to compare odds on Cheltenham.
Cheltenham Tips
It always helps to do a little research before placing your bet, but with so many high-quality races over the four days it can be hard to keep up. Our Cheltenham tips have you covered — we’ve got plenty from around the web as well as our resident tipster Raceolly to help you make your selections on every race at Cheltenham.
Responsible Gambling
We at Horseracing.net believe that gambling should be a fun and enjoyable way to enhance the overall sports experience and are committed to advocating responsible gambling and minimising gambling related harm.
Below are a few top tips taken from GambleAware® which will help you to gamble more safely:
- Don't think of gambling as a way to make money
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose
- Set a money limit in advance
- Set a time limit in advance
- Never chase your losses
- Don't gamble when you're depressed or upset
- Balance gambling with other activities
- Take frequent breaks
- Don't drink or use drugs when gambling
Many bookmakers also offer a range of tools designed to help punters with staying in control and protect against gambling related harm. These tools include:
- Deposit Limits - cap the amount you're able to deposit over a specified time period. Any increases to your deposit limits take 24 hours to be applied which acts as an additional security layer against impulsive gambling.
- Reality Checks - keep tabs on the time you've been playing by setting up alerts after a pre-defined time period to notify you how long you've been logged in to your account for.
- Account History - view your betting history, including deposits and withdrawals, enabling you to keep an eye on your betting over time.
- Cool-off Period - block access from your account for a set period of time, generally between 1 to 30 days.
- Self Exclusion - take a break from gambling for a longer period of time, such as six months or a number of years. All gambling operators are required by law to offer self-exclusion.
We recommend all punters, regardless of whether you have a problem with gambling, use the first three tools where possible as a proactive measure to keep gambling in-check and enjoyable.
It can often be difficult to identify where responsible gambling ends and problem gabling begins, so how can you recognise when that line has been crossed? Below is a list of signs to look out for that may indicate that a person has a problem with gambling. If you're still unsure whether your gambling is a problem, you can take this quiz on the GambleAware website to understand more.
- Spending more money and time on gambling than you can afford.
- Finding it hard to manage or stop your gambling.
- Having arguments with family or friends about money and gambling.
- Losing interest in usual activities or hobbies like going out with friends or spending time with family.
- Always thinking or talking about gambling.
- Lying about your gambling or hiding it from other people.
- Chasing losses or gambling to get out of financial trouble.
- Gambling until all of your money is gone.
- Borrowing money, selling possessions or not paying bills in order to pay for gambling.
- Needing to gamble with larger amounts of money or for a longer time to get the same feeling of excitement or buzz.
- Neglecting work, school, family, personal needs or household responsibilities because of gambling.
- Feeling anxious, worried, guilty, depressed or irritable.
Seek Help
If you find yourself breaking any of these rules it is really important that you seek help and the best place to start is by contacting the organisations Gamcare (in Great Britain) or Dunlewey (in Ireland) for confidential help and support.
Gamcare (www.gamcare.org.uk) can be contacted online or by phone on 0808 8020 133
Dunlewey (dunlewey.net) can be contacted by phone on 08000 886 725 (NI) or 1800 936 725 (ROI)
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheltenham Free Bets
How to choose your Cheltenham Free Bet Offer
The best way to decide which Cheltenham Free Bet offer to take up is to work out how you want to play the Festival. If you are looking to play just the biggest race of the day then try to find the best offer for that race alone. If you are a fan of cashback if your horse finishes second or third then you'll be able to find those offers above as well. If you are going to play every race then choose a sign-up offer then best reflects that.
What is a Cheltenham Free Bet?
Typically, Free Bets are given out to entice new customers. Basically, it is exactly what you'd expect it to be. The bookmaker will put an amount into your account once you sign-up that you have to use on bets. You can't simply take the money out. Sometimes it will be for a certain race but other times it can be for any race or even any sport. Check out the Ts and Cs on all the Free Bet Offers for Cheltenham listed above but all Free Bets will mean no outlay for those bets by the customer.
What are Cheltenham Money Back Specials?
This is where bookmakers will have a special offer on a certain race. This will often come in the form of money back into your account if your bet loses for a specific reason. Common examples of this are if the favourite loses or if a horse fails to win by a very short distance. In this instance where you qualify, your stake will be refunded into your account.
Do you have to be an existing customer?
No. Cheltenham is the best time of year to get involved in Betting on Horse Racing if you are new to the sport - or you want to open a new account with a bookmaker you haven't previously bet with. It is very much a buyers market so shop around all of the offers above to find the best Cheltenham sign-up offer for you.
Can I open accounts with more than one bookmaker?
Yes, you can. This is a great time to take advantage of the enticing Free Bet offers that will be floating around. Check back with this page throughout the Cheltenham Festival to see all the latest offers from all our betting partners.
What is Non Runner No Bet?
Many Horse Racing punters like to bet on the Ante-Post and this is where No Runner, No Bet comes in. If you find an offer that includes this, you can feel free to bet on a horse weeks before the Festival in the safe knowledge that if they do not run, you'll get your money back. If you are betting on the Ante-Post then look out for those offers.
What are the best betting sites to use to gain Cheltenham Festival free bets?
There’s no hard and fast answer — the best site to choose depends on your needs and preferences as a bettor. All our recommended Cheltenham festival betting sites have a welcome offer for new customers, so simply browse the selection and pick out one you like the look of.
How do I choose the best Cheltenham Festival free bets?
It’s simple — take a look at our selection and click through to find out more. Things to consider include the size of the free bet bonus, terms and conditions like minimum odds or market restrictions, and what you need to do to claim the offer. All our partner bookies feature a welcome offer that will allow you to bet on Cheltenham.
Do all betting sites offer Cheltenham Festival free bets for new customers?
Yes, pretty much. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bookmaker that doesn’t offer free bets to new customers. Keep in mind minimum odds restrictions may apply when using your free bet, and there could be some market restrictions.
Can I get free bets on the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
Yes. Most new customer promotions at our bookies can be used on the Gold Cup, but you may also find specific Cheltenham free bets offered in the lead-up to the event.
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