What Is a Free Bet?
A free bet is a promotional credit that lets you place a bet without using your real balance. If the bet wins, you receive the winnings (minus the stake in most cases). If it loses, you don't lose any real money.
Free Bet vs Bonus Money
| Aspect | Free Bet | Bonus Money |
|---|---|---|
| How you get it | Specific promotions | Deposit match, promo codes |
| Stake returned? | Usually no | Yes (part of balance) |
| Wagering needed | Often none or low | Usually 5x-35x |
| Expiry | Short (days) | Longer (30 days) |
| Flexibility | Limited events | More options |
How Free Bets Work
Basic Mechanics
- You receive a free bet (e.g., PKR 500)
- Select an event and market
- Place bet using free bet credit
- If bet wins: You get winnings (stake usually not included)
- If bet loses: No money deducted from your balance
Example: PKR 1,000 Free Bet
| Scenario | Odds | Result | You Receive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bet wins | 2.00 | Win | PKR 1,000 (profit only) |
| Bet wins | 3.50 | Win | PKR 2,500 (profit only) |
| Bet loses | Any | Loss | PKR 0 (no loss) |
Note: With regular bets at 2.00 odds, you'd get PKR 2,000 total (stake + profit). With free bets, you typically only get the profit portion.
Types of Free Bet Offers
1. Sign-Up Free Bets
Sometimes offered as part of registration:
- Given after account creation or first deposit
- May require promo code
- Usually small amounts to try the platform
2. Accumulator Insurance
If your accumulator loses by one selection:
- Free bet refund of stake
- Typically requires 5+ selections
- Minimum odds per selection (usually 1.40+)
- Free bet amount = original stake
3. Bet and Get Offers
Place qualifying bets, receive free bets:
- Bet PKR X, get PKR Y free bet
- Often tied to specific events (cricket matches, tournaments)
- Qualifying bet must meet minimum odds
4. Loyalty Free Bets
Rewards for active users:
- Weekly/monthly promotions
- Based on betting activity
- VIP program rewards
5. Event-Specific Free Bets
Tied to major sporting events:
- Cricket World Cup promotions
- PSL season offers
- Major football tournaments
- Limited time availability
Where to Find Free Bet Offers
Check these locations in the app:
- Promo section — Main tab showing current offers
- Account → My Bonuses — Active free bets
- Push notifications — New promotions
- Email — If subscribed to marketing
- Event pages — Special offers on specific matches
How to Use a Free Bet
Step-by-Step
- Check your account for available free bets (My Bonuses section)
- Note any restrictions (minimum odds, specific sports)
- Select event and market you want to bet on
- Add selection to bet slip
- On bet slip, look for "Use Free Bet" option
- Select the free bet amount
- Confirm bet
Using Free Bet on Bet Slip
When placing bet:
- Toggle or checkbox for "Free Bet" appears
- Select which free bet to use (if multiple)
- Stake field shows free bet amount
- Potential winnings displayed (profit only)
Free Bet Terms and Conditions
Common restrictions to be aware of:
| Condition | Common Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum odds | 1.40 - 1.80 |
| Expiry | 3-7 days from credit |
| Sports allowed | May be restricted to certain sports |
| Markets allowed | May exclude certain bet types |
| Stake returned | Usually no (profit only) |
| Cash out | Often not available |
| Split stakes | Usually cannot split one free bet |
Maximizing Free Bet Value
Strategy Tips
- Use on higher odds: Since stake isn't returned, higher odds mean more profit
- Don't waste on favorites: Low odds give small returns
- Use before expiry: Don't let free bets go unused
- Check terms first: Ensure your bet qualifies
Odds Comparison
Why higher odds are better for free bets:
| Odds | Profit if Win | Value vs Low Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1.50 | PKR 500 | Low value |
| 2.00 | PKR 1,000 | Standard |
| 3.00 | PKR 2,000 | Better value |
| 5.00 | PKR 4,000 | High value |
Higher odds mean higher risk, but with free bets you're not risking real money anyway.
Free Bet Expiry
Free bets have short validity periods:
- Typically 3-7 days from when credited
- Expire automatically if unused
- Cannot be extended
- Cannot be converted to cash
Checking Expiry
- Go to My Bonuses section
- Find your free bet
- Expiry date shown
- Set reminder if needed
What You Cannot Do With Free Bets
- ❌ Withdraw as cash
- ❌ Split into smaller bets
- ❌ Use on excluded markets
- ❌ Combine with other bonuses (usually)
- ❌ Transfer to another account
- ❌ Cash out mid-bet (usually)
Free Bets for Pakistani Cricket Fans
1xBet often runs free bet promotions during:
- PSL (Pakistan Super League) — Season-long promos
- Pakistan national team matches — Special offers
- ICC tournaments — World Cup, T20 events
- India-Pakistan matches — High-profile promotions
- Asia Cup — Regional tournament offers
Check promo section before major matches.
Troubleshooting Free Bet Issues
| Issue | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Free bet not showing | Not credited yet | Wait, or contact support |
| Can't use on selected bet | Odds below minimum | Choose higher odds selection |
| Free bet option missing | Market excluded | Try different bet type/sport |
| Free bet disappeared | Expired | Cannot recover — watch expiry next time |
| Won but no payout | Pending settlement | Wait for event to settle officially |
| Less winnings than expected | Stake not returned | Normal — free bet returns profit only |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash out a free bet?
Usually no. Cash out feature is typically disabled for free bets. You must let the bet run until the event finishes.
Why did I only get profit, not the full amount?
Free bets return profit only, not the stake. If you bet PKR 500 at 2.00 odds and win, you get PKR 500 (the profit), not PKR 1,000 (stake + profit). This is standard for free bets.
Can I use free bet on accumulators?
Often yes, but check the terms. Some free bets are restricted to single bets, while others can be used on accumulators with certain conditions.
What happens if my free bet selection is void?
If an event is cancelled or selection voided, the free bet is usually returned to your account. Check terms for specific rules.
How often does 1xBet offer free bets?
Regularly, but not constantly. Watch for major sporting events, new promotions, and check the promo section frequently. Sign up for notifications to stay informed.
Is there a free bet without deposit?
Sometimes offered as sign-up bonus. These are rare and usually small amounts. Most free bets require previous deposits or qualifying bets.