Here you can find our best free bets and betting offers for Irish customers. We have drawn on our own expert opinion, based on decades of experience. All free bet offers found on this page are provided by reputable bookmakers. Remember to gamble responsibly.
New customers can access free bets and betting offers when they complete the sign-up process and then deposit and wager a certain amount, usually €10. Existing customers are also occasionally offered free bets but this page focuses on betting offers for new customers.
Free bets for new customers are bonuses that are credited once you sign up to a new bookmaker. For example, when you click on one of the links on this page, complete the registration process and then either make a deposit or place your initial bet (depending on the specific terms), a designated number or amount of free bets will be credited to your account.
Then, you can use the free bet credits to back a horse or horses of your choice. What you cannot do is withdraw your free bets as cash. Also, your stake will not be returned.
An example: bet365 offer a 'bet 10 get 30 in free bets' deal, which means that the free bets will be returned to your account when you bet €10, providing you with more opportunities to back a winner and yield a return. You can use the code 'BONUSVIP' to claim this offer.
Free bets are available 365 days a year - good news for horse racing enthusiasts and most bookmakers will offer high-quality specials for major festivals, including the Cheltenham Festival, Punchestown, Aintree Grand National and Royal Ascot.
Among many free bet offers on the market, our team chose LiveScore Bet as this week's top pick!
With LiveScore Bet Welcome Offer you can get €50 in free bets after initial deposit of minimum €10. These bets can be used in the period of 7 days after you accept the offer. For more details, read the specific TnC's.
Free bets are also available through existing customer offers. For example, Paddy Power offers a rewards club for which you get a weekly free bet to enjoy on the racing.
It is important to keep in mind that all free bets are subject to terms and conditions. The free bet serves as an incentive to use the bookmaker's services and helps you get familiar with their site, which leads to increased loyalty to the brand.
You will notice an increased number of free bets available prior to and during major horse racing festivals such as Cheltenham, Punchestown and Royal Ascot.
Free bets and betting offers are particularly advantageous for horse racing punters for several reasons:
Reduced outlay: Free bets allow you to place wagers without using all of your own money. This means you can explore different betting strategies or try out new bookmakers without too much financial pressure. For instance, some bookmakers offer free bets with no deposit required, while others require an initial bet of only €5 to get money back in free bets such as Coral and Ladrokes.
Enhanced Betting Opportunities: Many bookmakers provide enhanced odds or special promotions during major racing events, such as The Grand National. These offers can significantly increase potential returns on winning bets, making it an exciting time for punters to engage with the sport.
Access to multiple offers: There are numerous free bet offers available from various bookmakers, especially during big racing events. This competition among bookmakers means punters can take advantage of multiple promotions, maximising their betting potential.
Learning experience: For new punters, free bets serve as a valuable learning tool. You can experiment with different types of bets, such as win bets, place bets, or exotic wagers, without the fear of losing your own money. This hands-on experience can help you become more knowledgeable and confident in your betting decisions.
Increased engagement: Promotions and free bets can enhance the overall excitement of horse racing events. Punters are more likely to engage with races when they have something at stake, even if it’s a free bet, which can lead to a more enjoyable experience.
In summary, free bets and betting offers provide horse racing punters with a unique opportunity to engage with the sport while enhancing potential returns and gaining valuable betting experience.
When signing up to free bets Ireland, there are a few points to consider to ensure you avoid any nasty surprises.
You can use your free bets today, and thanks to the daily nature of horse racing, there is always a good value bet to be found. Check here for a daily nap (best bet) from our race analysts who highlight their top free tip for the day, claim your racing free bets from above to back the selection for cracking value.
Valentine's Day lurks this coming weekend and for racing fans there is plenty more top class action to fall in love with across the coming seven days, including Grade 1 action from Ascot on Saturday for the racing romantics.
Here's our look ahead to the week in store across Britain and Ireland for racing action.
It was a weekend of more abandonments. The cold harsh weather of early January is banished but the hefty rainfall has taken its place and it has been wreaking havoc on the programme.
No worries at the time of writing for Monday's three cards in the UK, however, with jumps racing from Plumpton and Catterick preceding the evening fare on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton.
Things go up a notch on Tuesday with five meetings in store. UK jumps action is from Ffos Las and Ayr, while all-weather meetings take place at Lingfield in the afternoon and Newcastle in the evening.
The first Irish action of the week comes from Limerick, where testing ground is likely to be the order of the day on a hurdles-only offering.
Midweek jumps racing will come from Hereford and Wetherby as the north holds sway in Britain. They are joined in the afternoon by the all-weather card from Southwell, while they also go on the Polytrack at Dundalk from early afternoon and, later, Kempton's floodlit meeting brings down the curtain.
Mehmas colt Upper East cost Amo Racing the princely sum of 300,000 gns and the Richard Hannon-trained three-year-old is set to debut in the mile maiden at Kempton (6.10).
Five more meetings to take in on Thursday. Jumps fans will look to the afternoon fare at Clonmel, Leicester and Taunton, while there are all-weather meetings at Lingfield early in the day and Chelmsford City in the evening.
In Ireland the Grade 3 Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle (2.25) in the feature contest at Clonmel, with the likes of Monalee, Allaho, Monty's Star and Ballybow amongst the recent winners in a contest Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead have dominated in the last six runnings.
A busy Friday will include jumps meetings from Fakenham, Kelso and Chepstow alongside the afternoon before the Friday Night Lights action from Wolverhampton and Dundalk.
The feature contest on the day over jumps comes from Kelso, with £22,500 in the pot at the Borders venue for the Timeform Handicap Chase (3.00) over just shy of three-miles.
Onto the weekend and all eyes towards Ascot for their Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase (3.35) where Jonbon could step back up in trip at the scene of last month's Clarence House win for Nicky Henderson.
The 2m5f contest — first run in 1995 — has been won by some of jump racing's best-loved horses, as One Man, Monet's Garden, Kauto Star, Cue Card and Shishkin all feature on the roll of honour.
Supporting races at Ascot include the Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (1.50) and the Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase (3.00). They are joined over jumps by Haydock Park and Wincanton, as well as Gowran Park in Ireland and there are a host of treats in store.
Haydock stages the Grand National Trial (3.15) alongside a pair of Grade 2s, while at Wincanton the Kingwell Hurdle (1.35) could attract Champion Hurdle-bound Alexei for trainer Joe Tizzard.
In Ireland it's another big day at Gowran Park with a pair of Red Mills-backed graded races on the card. There's all-weather action at Newcastle to round things off.
Rounding off the week are the jumps cards from Musselburgh and Punchestown alongside all-weather action from Newcastle.
Punchestown has a decent card that includes the 1xbet.ie Grand National Trial, a key trial for Aintree in the spring, with €100,000 in the pot. Also on the card is the Listed Irish EBF Sheila Bourke Novice Hurdle.
Before you claim your horse racing free bet in the UK, make sure you consider the terms and conditions of your chosen bookmaker as there are restrictions surrounding betting offers. We help you to understand the restrictions around the betting offers below, prior to claiming your chosen offer.
William Hill is a long-standing sportsbook, which has been trusted by players since being founded in 1934 and is a firm favourite among horse racing fans, most notably for its odds, and it offers an excellent welcome bonus of 'bet 10 get 40 in free bets'.
bet365 is a giant of the betting world and is present on the phone of most keen Irish horse racing bettors. It is the main player in the online scene and has been regarded as one of the leading bookies ever since it was established.
Horse racing is one of the main sports for bet365, and it covers every meeting from around the world, allowing you to watch racing on the go.
When it comes to signing up with the operator, a bet365 new customer offer is always available, and this is one of the best welcome offers available, allowing you to get €30 in FREE bets when you sign up with €10 using the bonus code 'BONUSVIP'.
bet365 offers excellent odds and new customers can find an exceptional bet365 welcome bonus available.
The Betfred welcome offer is a must for Irish punters and it is one of the best on this site, allowing to get €50 in free bets to spend on racing.
Betfred is also promoting their Best Odds Guaranteed on any UK or Irish horse races you select after 8 am on any day of the race.
Paddy Power is sure to be one you have heard of, thanks to its big emphasis on marketing, along with its presence and specials for big horse racing events.
The Irish bookie offers up a host of existing customer specials and helpful insights.
The world's leading online betting exchange serving up competitive odds and specials along with lots of added benefits to those who do sign up.
The Betfair welcome offer is a must for bettors as it presents excellent value.
AK BETS is quickly establishing itself in the UK betting scene, gaining recognition among football and horse racing bettors.
The UK bookmaker offers a wide range of markets, from football to horse and greyhound racing, covering both local and international events.
AK BETS provides competitive odds and live streaming across its sports, ensuring bettors can follow the action on desktop and mobile devices.
The AK BETS welcome offer is up to €100 in free bets, using the bonus code AKACCA100 and a 25% boost on your first accumulator bet winnings.
One of Ireland's leading bookmakers, offering an excellent welcome offer and festival specials, it's easy to see why it is one of the favoured
An Irish bookmaker with a strong focus on horse racing. Its excellent welcome offer allows you to claim €80 in free bets.
Coral presents a great new customer offer with a high bonus of 400%, and it is the only bookmaker to have its very own racing club - experience the thrill of having your own share in a racehorse.
You can bet just €5 to get €20 back in free bets.
Ladbrokes has always been a force within the horse racing industry. Bettors can enjoy betting on horse racing with this operator as it has competitive odds and a range of markets.
BetVictor's welcome offer stands out, and you can get an excellent bonus with a secure and trusted bookmaker.
Tote is a favourite among punters, and its current welcome offer is excellent value for punters.
The Tote's world pool has thrust the operator into the spotlight and has been a roaring success. Definitely check here for Tote offers.
Bookmakers will also offer free bets to existing customers when placing a number of bets in a week, for example. There are also free-to-play games and money-back specials, which are popular with existing customers.
Get the best odds out there for your selection. Most major horse racing betting sites offer BOG. If you back a horse to win at 4-1 and it wins at a starting price of 6-1, you will be paid out at the bigger odds of 6-1
Bookmakers such as William Hill will boost the odds of horses during major festivals, for example, boosting an odds-on favourite from 2-5 to 33-1. stakes are often limited to €1
Some operators offer extra places on select races each day, and you will also find opportunities to choose your own extra places with the likes of bet365.
Place a bet, for example, on a certain outcome and get your money back as a free bet stake if you lose.
Try your hand at free games offered up by bookmakers. Paddy Power's 'Beat The Drop' is particularly popular - answer a series of questions correctly to be in with the chance of winning €5,000.
A horse racing betting promo code is required by some bookmakers when you register, in order to claim your betting promotion, most commonly for free bets.
A promo code is a short code that you can copy and paste into the required box when you sign up for Irish horse racing betting offers. It is worth noting that not all operators require betting bonus codes.
While horse racing offers exciting betting opportunities, many Irish bookmakers also provide excellent promotions for other sports. Check out our guide to best golf betting sites if you're looking to diversify your betting portfolio.
You will notice a flurry of bookmaker free bet offers for new customers prior to and during major horse racing festivals.
Four days of scintillating action and a total of 28 races which are ultra competitive, as such big-priced winners are there to be unearthed. It is the perfect time to get Cheltenham free bets to spend on your selected horses.
The world-famous Aintree Grand National is a spectacle for both expert and casual punters. The huge field size plus the unique and testing fences make it one of the biggest betting races of the year. Another fantastic opportunity to build up your Grand National offers and free bets to spend on your fancies.
For the Flat season fanatics among you, Royal Ascot is the showpiece of the Flat season hosted over five days in mid-June, the best of the Flat horses go head to head in top-notch contests and there are 35 races to get your teeth into as well as a host of Royal Ascot free bets.
The beginning of August presents betting opportunities as Galway and Glorious Goodwood festivals run alongside each other. Competitive handicaps at both venues allows for bets galore and you can find Galway betting offers and Glorious Goodwood free bets to add even more excitement to a brilliant week of racing.
The irishracing.com team comprises a number of individuals with many years of experience in the horse racing and betting industry, including editor Vincent Finegan and racing pundit Emma Nagle. You can bet in the knowledge that the recommended sites are secure and trustworthy.
Everything you need to know about bookmaker offers and horse racing free bets in the FAQ section below.
A free bet is a bet credited to your account by a bookmaker, most commonly when you sign up and place your first bet or deposit into your account. Free horse racing bets are available to new and existing customers in Ireland.
On this page, we list all the best free bets and betting offers available with leading and trustworthy operators.
You can claim your free bet by signing up to a bookmaker and depositing or placing a bet. If you are lucky, you may also find no deposit free bets.
Bookmaker offers with the leading sportsbooks are available all year round in Ireland, with specials offered around major races and festivals.
There will be various offers available during Festivals such as Punchestown, Galway, Cheltenham, the Grand National and Royal Ascot. Players can enjoy bonuses such as free bets, money back specials and non runner no-bet - to name a few.
Ireland's most popular bookmakers can be found above. All of the bookmakers offer something different, which means that you’re able to take advantage of a number of promotions throughout the year.