Grand National Free Bets 2027: How They Work
An independent, plain-English guide to Grand National free bets and welcome offers — how they work, the terms to check, and how to get the most from them. 18+ only.
In short: a Grand National free bet is a betting credit a bookmaker gives you — usually in return for a qualifying bet when you open a new account. The most common format is "bet £10, get £30 in free bets". If a free bet wins you normally keep the profit but not the stake, and every offer comes with terms worth reading first. You must be 18+ to bet. We're an independent guide: we explain how these offers work rather than sell them.
How Grand National free bets work
Almost every free bet offer follows the same basic steps. You open a new account with a licensed UK bookmaker, make a qualifying deposit, then place a qualifying bet — typically £5 or £10 at or above a minimum price such as evens. Once that bet settles (win or lose), the free bets are credited to your account, usually split into several smaller tokens with an expiry date.
The crucial detail is that free bets are normally stake not returned. If you place a £10 free bet at 10/1 and it wins, you receive £100 — the profit — rather than £110. That's why a free bet is worth less than the same amount of cash, and why the terms matter.
The types of free bet offer you'll see
Welcome and sign-up offers
The classic new-customer deal: place a qualifying bet and receive free bets in return. These are the headline offers you'll see advertised in the build-up to the Grand National, and they're usually limited to one per person and household.
Bet-and-get and race-specific offers
Some promotions are tied to the race itself — for example free bets credited if you bet on the National, or a free bet for a later race at the festival. These are often available to existing customers too.
Money-back as a free bet
Faller insurance and money-back specials often refund losing stakes as a free bet rather than cash — for instance if your horse falls, unseats its rider or finishes second. They're a popular Grand National offer because the race is so unpredictable. We cover these in more detail in our Grand National betting offers guide.
Key terms to check before you claim
- Minimum deposit and qualifying stake — how much you need to put in to unlock the offer.
- Minimum odds — the qualifying bet often has to be at evens or bigger.
- Payment method exclusions — some deposit methods (often e-wallets) don't qualify.
- Expiry — free bets usually have to be used within a set number of days.
- Stake not returned — you keep winnings but not the free bet amount.
- Each-way and market restrictions — some free bets can't be used each-way or on certain markets.
- Maximum winnings or wagering — a few offers cap returns or attach wagering requirements.
Getting the most from a free bet on the National
Because the stake isn't returned, a free bet is worth relatively more on a bigger-priced horse — a winning free bet at 20/1 keeps far more of its value than one at 2/1. That suits the Grand National, where a large field and big prices are the norm. Pair it with a bookmaker paying extra each-way places and your free bet can still pay out if your horse finishes fifth, sixth or even seventh. If each-way betting is new to you, our how to bet on the Grand National guide explains it step by step.
Treat any free bet as a bonus, not a reason to bet more than you'd planned. Set a budget for the day before you start.
Free bets vs casino bonuses
Sports free bets and casino bonuses are not the same thing. A sports free bet is a token you place on an event such as the Grand National. Casino bonuses — bonus funds or free spins — usually carry wagering requirements, meaning you have to play through the bonus a set number of times before you can withdraw. Always check which type of offer you're looking at.
Free bets for new and existing customers
Welcome free bets are almost always for new customers. If you already have accounts, the better-value Grand National promotions are usually extra places, Best Odds Guaranteed, price boosts and money-back specials, which most bookmakers open to all customers. Compare these rather than chasing sign-up offers you can't claim.
When do Grand National 2027 free bets appear?
Bookmakers usually launch their Grand National promotions in the weeks before the race, with extra-place terms and one-off specials often confirmed during race week or on the morning of the race itself — Saturday 10 April 2027. See the full 2027 dates.
Gamble responsibly
Betting should be fun. Only ever stake what you can afford to lose, never chase losses, and use the deposit limits and time-outs licensed bookmakers provide. If gambling stops being fun, free and confidential help is available — see our responsible gambling page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Grand National free bet?
A free bet is a betting credit a bookmaker gives you, usually after you place a qualifying bet as a new customer. You can use it on the Grand National, but if it wins you normally receive only the winnings — the free bet stake itself is not returned.
How do Grand National free bet offers work?
The most common format is "bet £10, get £30 in free bets": you open an account, deposit, place a qualifying bet at or above the minimum odds, and the free bets are credited once that bet settles. Each offer has its own terms, so always read them before you sign up.
Are there free bets for the Grand National 2027?
UK bookmakers typically release Grand National welcome offers and free bets in the weeks before the race, with more promotions appearing during race week. The 2027 race is on Saturday 10 April.
Can existing customers get Grand National free bets?
Sometimes. Welcome free bets are usually for new customers only, but existing customers often get extra places, Best Odds Guaranteed, price boosts and money-back specials, some of which are paid as free bets.
What does "stake not returned" mean?
It means that if your free bet wins, you get the profit but not the free bet amount. For example, a £10 free bet at 10/1 returns £100, not £110.
Can I use a free bet each-way on the Grand National?
It depends on the bookmaker. Some allow free bets to be used each-way, others only on win bets. Check the terms of the specific offer.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Free, confidential support is available at BeGambleAware.org and GamCare.org.uk.