How to get the most out of World Cup betting offers

Share This:

• 

Text size: A A A

By Paul Davies
Know Your Money Editor

People around the globe are reaching fever pitch about 2010's World Cup, which is set to kick off in South Africa today.

The event has already attracted a host of predictions and some pundits have all but written off the chances of certain nations before a ball has been kicked.

Football fans quite often love to make a prediction and some are bold enough to back it up by placing a bet.

Obviously, under most circumstances this poses an element of financial risk, as the result is far from certain and a host of different teams have been tipped to lift the trophy.

However, a number of bookmakers are offering free bets to tempt new customers and savvy consumers to play the system and potentially pocket hundreds of pounds - with little risk to their own money.

Those keen to have a punt may like to refer to http://www.worldcup-bet.com/, which suggests that each online bookmaker will have its own tempting free bet to entice you into their site.

It rounds up some of the deals available to punters so they can find an option that suits them.

"Don't just give into one; try looking at signing up for a few. They are all offering you free money that can be taken advantage of over this summer's World Cup. All bookmakers are in competition with each other so you may find that some bookmakers are offering better odds than others some days and vice versa another," the website advises.

Because of this it is worth signing up to a few to take advantage of the fluctuations in odds on offer, it recommends.

A no-lose deal?

888sport is making an offer that will see new customers unable to lose.

The worst-case scenario for new betters with the company is they get their stake back. In the best case they could place a £20 bet - at for example odds of 33-1 - and pick up £660 plus their stake.

For sports betting fans the only downside to the offer is that it is for new customers only.

Those wishing to give it a go can place a bet of up to £20 - and it may as well be £20 for those with the money to put it on in the first place - and if they win they can simply enjoy it!

People who lose the bet - although not financially - will get their stake back within 72 hours and can choose to withdraw the money from their account there and then.

So, it could be worth a punt on the World Cup. New betters will simply need to decide where they are placing their money.

How it usually works

The normal system to qualify for a 'free bet' requires new customers to open an online account with a bookmaker and deposit some money.

They then have to stake some of this cash and once they have done that - and won or lost - you then get the free equivalent bet, usually up to the value of £25.

Will online gambling effect your credit rating?

Opening and funding a number of bookmaker accounts should have no effect on your credit scoring.

Santander states: "Credit scoring and ratings are a result of whether the account is kept in good order or not ... that has no bearing on the type of transaction."

In addition to this, credit reference agency Experian suggests gaming companies do not, at present share, any account data with their industry.

"It won't appear on the credit reference radar. You can have as many gaming accounts as you want," a spokesman said.

Who to back?

Those fancying a punt could be wise to take a look at the odds currently being offered by a range of bookmakers in order to obtain the best possible value.

http://www.worldcup-bet.com/bet/7/world-cup-outright/ lists Spain as the bookmakers' favourite and - at the time of writing - the European champions are offered at odds of 4/1 across the board.

New Zealand are the least fancied nation and could be backed at odds as high as 2,000/1 to lift the trophy next month.

Patriotic betters could instead opt to use their free bets to back Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney to bag the most goals in the competition and take home the golden boot.

Or alternatively they could give themselves a little more reason to get behind England by tipping them to win the tournament.

Important Notice
This guide is intended for general information only and is not intended as, and does not constitute, any form of advice, recommendation or endorsement by us of any particular product(s) or services and you should rely on your own further research and professional advice in relation to your specific requirements and circumstances before purchasing any products or services. Use of this guide is subject to the Terms of Use of the KnowYourMoney site.