With great leaps forward in internet technology over recent years, and a corresponding increase in download speeds, betting and gambling in all their manifestations have really taken off in the virtual world in a big way.
All the familiar betting-shops from the High Street have expanded into cyberspace, and names such as Littlewoods, Ladbrokes and William Hill have substantial online presences. They offer the same services they do in town centres through traditional outlets, but also more. As well as betting on the horses and dogs, football and athletics, you can also play online slots which are the equivalent of fruit machines, and a variety of fun games with cash prizes, all from the comfort of your home.
There are also many purely online sites, and they are all in competition, with plenty of promotions and special offers to seduce the newcomer in.
A typical promotion comes in the form of free bets. The idea here is that once you’ve taken the crucial step of opening an account and depositing a small amount, you’ll be given gratis a free bet of the same value.
The amounts range from a few pounds to a few hundred, and if you play your cards right you can take good advantage of this. From the bookie’s point of view, it makes sense to sacrifice a few quid if it gets a new customer on board and playing, so theoretically the institution of free betting makes everyone happy.
Shop around online to see what’s on offer in the way of free betting.