SBK Free Bets

Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets

Basic Terms: New UK customers. Min £10 first deposit. Place a bet of £10 at min odds of 2.0 and get £40 in Free Bets within 48 hours. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply, 18+. BeGambleAware.org.

SBK Free Bets Review: A Fresh Face with Big Ambitions

When a new bookmaker arrives in the UK, it has to do something a little special to stand out from the crowd. With household names like Ladbrokes, Coral, William Hill, and Boylesports already deeply embedded in the national betting psyche, a fresh operator needs more than just a shiny logo and a sign-up bonus to tempt punters through the door. This is where SBK have surprised many. Despite being relative newcomers, having launched in August 2019, they have carved out an impressive space in a short period of time, thanks largely to their tech-first approach, innovative sportsbook app, and a keen focus on pricing.

SBK are not just another betting app slapped together to chase casual bettors. Instead, they are the sports betting product of Smarkets, the well-known betting exchange that has been trading since 2008. Drawing on that heritage of sharp pricing and advanced trading models, SBK offers a more modern bookmaker’s experience – one that merges competitive odds with a sleek, mobile-first design.

What makes SBK appealing to punters is their focus on providing genuine value through odds, backed up by a simple but worthwhile welcome bonus, and wrapped in an app that is easy to use whether you’re new to betting or an experienced punter who wants an efficient tool on the go.

The SBK Free Bet Welcome Bonus

Let’s start with what draws many players to a new bookmaker in the first place: the welcome offer. SBK currently run a straightforward but generous promotion for new customers. By registering a new account, making a first deposit of £10 or more (using eligible methods such as debit card, Trustly, or bank transfer), and then placing a qualifying first bet, punters can claim £40 in free bets.

The process is as follows:

1. Visit SBK’s official site or download the app.
2. Register for a new account and verify your details.
3. Deposit a minimum of £10 via debit card, Trustly, or bank transfer (PayPal and Neteller do not count for this particular promotion).
4. Place a first bet of at least £10 at minimum odds of 2.0 (Evens).
5. Receive £40 in free bets, credited within 48 hours.

The appeal of this offer lies in its simplicity. Unlike some rival bookmakers, SBK does not attach confusing wagering requirements or convoluted hoops for punters to jump through. The free bets do come with a 7-day expiry, so you’ll need to use them promptly, but beyond that, the terms are refreshingly straightforward.

For many new bettors, the lack of hidden catches makes this one of the more attractive free bet promotions available in the UK market. If you’re comparing this deal with other bookmakers, guides such as UK Free Bets are useful resources for keeping tabs on who’s offering the best value at any given time.

Football Betting with SBK

No bookmaker can survive in the UK without putting football front and centre, and SBK are fully aware of that fact. Their app divides football into clear categories: Popular, Live, Today, and Competitions. This makes navigating to your desired market painless, whether you’re after a quick flutter on a Premier League clash, a wager on the Champions League, or something more niche like the lower divisions of the EFL or overseas leagues.

The range of markets is broad. You’ll find the traditional match result (1X2), both teams to score, total goals, handicaps, and half-time/full-time outcomes. For those who prefer more detail, markets extend to corners, bookings, goalscorers, and correct score predictions.

Crucially, SBK’s pricing often beats that of more established competitors. This stems from their connection with Smarkets, whose trading models focus on efficiency and sharper lines. Punters looking for value in football betting, especially on accumulators or in-play markets, may find SBK consistently delivers more competitive odds.

Horse Racing Markets

Horse racing holds a unique place in British betting culture, and SBK have ensured their app caters to it comprehensively. All UK and Irish meetings are covered, from the major festivals such as Cheltenham and Royal Ascot through to the day-to-day action at Wolverhampton, Lingfield, and Southwell.

International racing is also represented, with markets from France, Australia, and the United States available. Pre-race markets are the bread and butter here, though there are also ante-post options for the big races months in advance. Punters can place each-way bets, forecasts, and more, just as they would with more traditional bookmakers.

While live streaming is not yet as extensive as some older operators, SBK’s competitive odds often more than make up for this. Those who are price-sensitive when betting on racing may find that SBK’s edge on the numbers outweighs any lack of frills.

Cricket, Rugby, and Other Popular Sports

Beyond football and racing, SBK have invested heavily in providing coverage of the sports that resonate most with UK punters. Cricket markets cover everything from Test Matches and ODIs to the rapidly expanding T20 leagues across the world. Outright markets for the Ashes, World Cups, and IPL are well supported, alongside ball-by-ball in-play betting when matches are live.

Rugby union and rugby league also enjoy detailed coverage, with international tournaments, Premiership Rugby, Super League, and Southern Hemisphere competitions all represented. Again, the odds are competitive, and punters can explore markets ranging from match results to total points, try scorers, and handicaps.

Other staples such as tennis, golf, darts, and snooker are similarly well covered, with outright markets and in-play betting forming key parts of the app. The design ensures that switching between different sports is seamless, which is particularly useful on busy weekends when multiple tournaments and fixtures overlap.

Politics, Entertainment, and Specials

One of SBK’s more surprising strengths is its coverage of politics and entertainment betting. At one point, over 180 political markets were listed, including UK elections, referendums, and international events such as the US Presidential Election.

Entertainment betting also features regularly. Punters can wager on outcomes of TV shows like Strictly Come Dancing or Eurovision, and even place bets on award ceremonies like the Oscars. These markets may not be core to the SBK offering, but they add flavour and broaden the appeal to punters who enjoy novelty bets alongside their sports wagers.

The SBK Mobile App

Perhaps SBK’s biggest selling point is its mobile app. Unlike many traditional bookmakers that built their platforms on desktop first and then bolted on mobile support, SBK launched as a mobile-first operator. This shows in every aspect of the design.

Available on both iOS and Android, the app is sleek, responsive, and easy to navigate. Punters can browse markets, check live odds, and place bets with minimal fuss. Odds refresh quickly during in-play markets, and bet slips are intuitive and fast.

Downloading is straightforward. iOS users can find it directly in the App Store, while Android users can grab it from Google Play or via SBK’s mobile site. The app also integrates statistics and data to help punters make informed decisions, whether pre-match or in-play.

For those who like betting on the go, SBK’s app is a genuine competitor to the mobile platforms of much older bookmakers.

Banking and Payment Options

Despite being relatively new, SBK already support a strong range of payment options. Punters can make instant deposits via debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Trustly, and bank transfer. Minimum deposits are typically £10, though for PayPal the threshold rises to £20 and for Trustly it is £40.

Withdrawals are processed efficiently. E-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller are usually the quickest, often within 24 hours, while debit cards can take a little longer. Bank transfers do come with a £10 charge and may take between five and ten working days, so this is less convenient for most customers.

Importantly, most other withdrawal methods are free of fees, and the clarity around processing times is a refreshing change from the vagueness of some rivals.

Responsible Gambling

As a UK Gambling Commission-licensed bookmaker, SBK are obliged to promote responsible gambling, and they do so by providing a suite of tools for players. Deposit limits, time-outs, reality checks, and self-exclusion options are all available within the app.

Links to external support organisations such as BeGambleAware, GamCare, and GamStop are easy to find, ensuring that help is never far away for those who feel they may need it. SBK’s stance is clear: gambling should be fun, safe, and sustainable, not something that puts punters under unnecessary pressure.

Promotions Beyond the Welcome Bonus

While the welcome offer is the headline, SBK also provide regular promotions to keep punters engaged. Enhanced odds on selected football and racing events are common, while accumulator boosts and cashback specials are also part of the rotation.

The app also incorporates social elements, allowing users to share tips and insights with others, creating a more interactive environment than the traditional solitary betting experience. This feature has proven popular with younger audiences who value community-driven platforms.

How SBK Compare to Competitors

When stacked against industry giants, SBK hold their own surprisingly well. They may not yet offer the sheer volume of live streaming that rivals such as Ladbrokes provide, but they do offer sharper odds in many markets.

Their app-first approach is also more modern than the often cluttered platforms of older operators. For punters who prioritise speed, clarity, and competitive pricing, SBK may prove more appealing than legacy bookmakers weighed down by decades of design baggage.

For those keen to explore how SBK’s offer stacks up against other promotions in the UK market, resources like UK Free Bet Bonus Offers provide a clear overview of current deals.

Our Verdict

In just a few years, SBK have gone from relative obscurity to becoming one of the most talked-about newcomers in the UK betting industry. Backed by Smarkets’ expertise, they have focused on providing genuine value through competitive odds, delivered via a sleek and highly functional mobile app.

Their welcome bonus of £40 in free bets is generous without being needlessly complicated, and the range of sports covered is extensive enough to satisfy almost any punter. Whether you’re into football, horse racing, cricket, or something more niche like political betting, SBK provide plenty of opportunities.

Of course, they are still a relatively young bookmaker, and there are areas to expand – particularly around live streaming – but the foundations are very strong. For punters looking for a fresh alternative to the usual suspects, SBK is well worth a look.