Though online sports betting is not yet legal in Hawaii, it’s likely to become so soon. And, when it does become legal, it’s a good idea to be prepared for it. This means understanding what all the bonuses are and how they work.

We’re going to have a quick look at free bets in Hawaii and how they can work for you when you use them. Read on to find out how to claim them and why you should!

How does a free bet work on Hawaii sportsbooks?

Free bets in Hawaii work by offering you a small amount of money that you can place as a bet. The key here is that you are not required to make a made a deposit in order to claim the bonus. Instead, you will need to fulfill any terms and conditions or meet the criteria for claiming this incentive.

When you do get a free bet, you can then place a bet with it. Usually, you must use the whole amount on a single bet. You can’t split the free bet up across a variety of smaller bets. Additionally, you will need to check whether or not the free bet is linked to a specific sport or event. Oftentimes, you will find that this is the case, so you’re not really free to choose what you bet on. On top of this, free bets also exclude certain bet types such as parlays.

Furthermore, there are additional wagering requirements attached to free bets at sports betting sites in Hawaii. These include the play-through requirements, a timeframe in which to use them, and even a cap on the amount you can win. Make sure you check all these conditions very carefully before placing your bet as this can determine whether or not you can claim your winnings. We take a look at some of these in more detail below.

Now that you know what free bets at gambling sites in Hawaii are, it’s important to emphasize that there are also a number of different types. Here we just outline what these free bets are and what the slight differences are so that you don’t get caught out.

  • Risk-free bets: A slight variation on standard free bets, the risk-free bet actually requires you to make a deposit in order to claim. Then, you must use your own money to place the first qualifying bet. If this bet wins, then nothing comes of it other than the fact that you claim your winnings. But, if this first bet loses, then the HI sportsbook refunds your stake so that you can place a second bet for free.
  • Matched free bets: Similar to risk-free bets, a matched free bet does require you to make an initial deposit. This means that once you’ve made a deposit and placed a bet, you get a second bet that’s the same value as the one you’ve just placed. This second bet is free and doesn’t use your bankroll at all.
  • No deposit bonus: This is a true free bet as it means you don’t have to deposit or play with any of your own funds at all. Instead, all you need to do is claim the no-deposit free bet and use it to place a bet. It’s usually a relatively small value though, and you may find you are limited to a certain sport or event on which you can bet on.
  • Sign up bonus free bet: Like the no deposit bonus, this one tends to be completely free. However, you do need to be a new player to the site in order to get your hands on it. If you’re an existing player, you cannot claim this free bet bonus.

How to claim a free bet bonus in Hawaii

Once you’ve decided a free bet is a bonus for you, then you’ll need to claim it at an online gaming platform. Check out the steps below on how to do it, and you’ll be up and running in no time at all.

  1. You can find a free bet at the top of the page. We carefully go through all the free bets in Hawaii to make sure we find the best ones for you. These are listed here on this page, so you can just take your time and look through them all to see which one suits you.
  2. Join a Hawaii betting site that you like. Check out our list of the top free bets in Hawaii based on the sportsbook they’re available on. Then, when you’ve picked the betting platform, head to their online site either via the desktop or mobile. Click on the signup button and fill out the registration form with all the required details. This includes your name, email, address, SSN, and so on.
  3. Claim the free bet and place it on your favorite sport. Once your account is up and running, you can then claim your free bet. Depending on the sportsbook, you may need to opt in, check a box, add a promo code, or in fact, do nothing and let it be availed automatically. With the bet added to your account, you’re then ready to use it.

Advantages of free bets in HI

There are a number of advantages that come with free bets in Hawaii. However, there are also some downsides that we will also cover below. Check out the pros and cons so that you have a good idea of what to expect from a free bet.

Pros

  • No risk: Because you’ve not had to place any of your own funds into the sportsbook to claim this bonus, it’s completely free. This means that even if your bet loses, you haven’t lost any of your own funds. And, if it wins, then you get to keep those winning without risking your own cash.
  • Explore strategies: As you’re just using free money, it’s the perfect time to experiment online. Instead of sticking with the same types of bets, you can opt to place different types of bets, or even try out a different sport or event that you wouldn’t normally bet on.
  • Gain experience: Even if this bet loses, you gain valuable experience when playing with it. So, a loss can still count as a win in the long run. It also means you can check out what the sportsbook has to offer as a whole too.

Cons

  • Small bet size: While you are given free funds to use, the sportsbook is unlikely to give away large sums. This does mean that the free bet you place will generally be quite small. As such, you are rather limited in your betting options and the size of the wins that can come out of it.
  • Easy to skew perception: Because free bets are risk-free, it can be dangerous to keep taking these on and using them. It can end up fostering the wrong idea that betting is actually easy and without risk. It’s important to then make sure that these bets are offset by playing with real money to get the impact of how it feels to lose your own funds.
  • Wagering requirements: Even if you are using a free bet, there are always wagering requirements and other terms and conditions attached. Such conditions also include a timeframe in which to use the bet, a cap on the winnings allowed (often just $5 or $10), specifics on what bet types can be placed (parlays are often not allowed), and so on. Failing to meet any of these requirements will mean that the free bet and any winnings accumulated through it are considered void.

FAQ

Do all betting sites in Hawaii offer free bets?

No, not all betting sites in Hawaii offer free bets. However, most of them do this in order to remain competitive. It does mean that you will need to take a look at all the different options in order to ensure that your preferred sportsbook in HI does actually have a free bet offer.

What are the requirements to get a free bet at a HI sportsbook?

Free bet requirements differ between HI sportsbooks. If the free bet is a match deposit free bet, you will need to make a deposit. For some free bets, it might be a welcome offer only, so you have to be a new player to claim the offer. It's therefore important you read any terms and conditions before accepting the offer.

Can I claim several free bets on the same HI betting site?

No, usually you cannot claim several free bets on the same HI betting site. This will depend on the type of offer though. If there is a new separate free bet offer down the line applicable to regular players, then you're likely to be able to claim that one on top of any pre-claimed free bets.