IT'S that time of year when Christmas betting offers sparkle like baubles on a tree.
With everyone in a cheerful mood and some massive sporting events on the horizon, the UK’s best bookmakers are pulling out all the stops.
That means you can fill your proverbial sports betting stocking with a ton of gambling offers, including free bets, cashback, odds boosts, prize giveaways and more.
We’ve reviewed all the latest Xmas betting bonuses, and, in the following guide, we’ll reveal what they are. So, if you’re ready for a present or two, here’s our guide to festive betting promotions.
🎄 Our favourite online bookmakers with Christmas betting offers
Christmas offers for specific December sports events
There are plenty of promotions out there this December and the best ones give you more value for popular sporting events.
Anyone hunting for rewards before they make a Christmas bet should focus on these sporting events…
🆕 Check the best new betting sites for exciting offers
Seasonal soccer showdowns: football Christmas betting offers
By far the best Christmas betting bonuses on a bookies’ advent calendar focus on football. With a packed schedule before and after Christmas, the top football bookmakers have promotions galore.
Liverpool play Arsenal on December 23, while Wolves vs. Chelsea is the Christmas Eve game. Five Premier League games take place on Boxing Day, including Manchester United vs. Aston Villa and Newcastle vs. Nottingham Forest.
Some football betting offers to check out are:
- The £1 million Christmas Draw at Betfred. Anyone who opts in and wagers at least £1 gets entered into the draw. Then, if it snows on Christmas Day or all teams score during week 19 of the EPL, five people will be drawn at random to win £1 million each!
- bet365 boosts. As well as enhanced odds, bet365 is giving football bettors up to 70% more on winning accas with between two and 14 picks.
- Leicester City Giveaway at Parimatch. For a football betting bonus with a difference, opt in and wager at least £100 on any sports market at Parimatch and you’ll go into a unique draw. The draws take place weekly, and winners get one of 15 Leicester City prizes, including signed shirts and club shop vouchers.
Happy horsey Christmas: horse racing bonuses
The festive season is a time when the top jockeys do their thing. Regional races are running throughout the month, including flats and jumps events at Kempton, Ascot, Newcastle and more. For those with an eye on the biggest races, Ladbrokes Christmas Festival and the Welsh Grand National close out the year.
Ladbrokes Christmas Festival gets underway on December 26 at Kempton Park. Races run until December 27, with the one to watch being the King George IV Chase. Early odds have Bravemansgame as the 5/2 favourite. For some extra value, check out bet365’s bet boosts.
Also one to watch is the Welsh Grand National. Running at Chepstow on December 27, the oddsmakers at Parimatch have Monbeg Genius as the early 6/1 favourite.
Parimatch, like other leading UK bookmakers, will offer odds boosts for the race, as well as extra places paid promotions and deposit bonuses for this race. You can also get 25% payout boosts at Betfred.
Big holiday bust-ups: boxing bonus offers
Boxing’s biggest hitters are throwing down right up until the Christmas break. December 16 sees Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez vs Sunny Edwards fight for the IBF and WBO flyweight world titles.
The world’s attention then turns to Saudi Arabia and the December 23 super-card headlined by Antony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin.
Joshua is looking to continue his comeback by putting on a show against Sweden’s Wallin. The heavyweight-stacked card has some added spice thanks to the Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker match-up. Joshua and Wilder are on a collision course, so strong performances on the same night would set up a massive fight between the two in 2024.
The latest boxing odds are currently available at Betfred. Joshua and Wilder are both favourites. To eke out a bit more value from these boxing matches, check the odds boosts and cashback Christmas betting offers at BetUK, Sky Bet, and Spreadex.
Best of the rest: Christmas sports betting promotions
Another sporting highlight this December is the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. Starting on December 15 and running right through until January 3, the best marksmen in the world will throw for the biggest title in darts.
One of the best Christmas betting offers this month is available at Sky Bet. All customers have to do is log in, opt in and claim a £1 free bet on the PDC World Darts Championship. Even better, if you’re a new customer, our registration link gets you £30 worth of free wagers when you make your first £10+ bet.
🎯 Check out the UK's best darts betting sites for 2023
Premier League matches for Christmas and New Year
The festive football calendar is always a great time for games and promotions. Games are always exciting, not least because the unpredictable conditions can cause top teams to falter. A glut of matches also opens the door of opportunity.
Our top-rated UK sportsbooks will cover every match both with generous odds, stats, in-play wagers and festive gambling offers. The Christmas EPL matches are:
Saturday 23 December
- West Ham v Man Utd
- Fulham v Burnley
- Luton Town v Newcastle
- Nottingham Forest v AFC Bournemouth
- Spurs v Everton
- Liverpool v Arsenal
Sunday 24 December
- Wolves v Chelsea
Tuesday 26 December
- Newcastle v Nottingham Forest
- AFC Bournemouth v Fulham
- Sheff Utd v Luton Town
- Burnley v Liverpool
- Man Utd v Aston Villa
Wednesday 27 December
- Brentford v Wolves
- Chelsea v Crystal Palace
- Everton v Man City
Thursday 28 December
- Brighton v Spurs
- Arsenal v West Ham
Saturday 30 December
- Luton Town v Chelsea
- Aston Villa v Burnley
- Crystal Palace v Brentford
- Man City v Sheff Utd
- Wolves v Everton
- Nottingham Forest v Man Utd
Sunday 31 December
- Fulham v Arsenal
- Spurs v AFC Bournemouth
Monday 1 January 2024
- Liverpool v Newcastle
📺 Get in on the football action with the best live betting sites
Horse racing events in December
Racing has been popular at Christmas for decades and, this year, some of the sport’s biggest events bring the year to a close. Three of the biggest and best racing festivals to track the odds for are…
King George VI Chase
The King George is the second most prestigious National Hunt steeplechase event in English horse racing. It was first run in 1937 and named after the reigning monarch at the time, King George VI. Many of the world’s finest four year olds line up on December 26 for the 3 mile race.
One of the favourites to join famous winners of the King George VI Chase, such as Desert Orchid and Kauto Star, is Bravemansgame. The Paul Nicholls trained horse has six wins from 11 chase events and goes into the 2023 King George as the 5/2 favourite.
The odds, however, are close, which tells us this race is going to be a real festive treat. Look out for Gerri Colombe, Allaho and Shishkin to challenge for the £142,375 top prize.
Kempton Winter Festival
The Kempton Winter Festival, also known as the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival in 2023, takes place on December 26 and 27. The King George VI Chase takes centre stage on December 26, but there are many more races for the Christmas crowds to enjoy.
Some of the races to keep your eye on are the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, the Christmas Hurdle and the Desert Orchid Chase.
Welsh Grand National
The Welsh Grand National has bounced around over the years. Originally run in 1895 at Ely Racecourse in Cardiff, it initially took place on Easter Tuesday. However, in an effort to attract better runners, it was moved to February before poor weather prompted the decision to have it on December 27.
Now, with Chepstow Racecourse hosting the Premier Handicap steeplechase, many top-rated four year olds line up. Previous winners include Burrough Hill Lad, who went on the win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, as well as Aintree Grand National champions, Bindaree and Silver Birch. Leading the Welsh Grand National betting market this year are Monbeg Genius (6/1), Super Survivor (7/1) and Nassalam (10/1).
Darts events: PDC World Darts Championship
A winner will be crowned on January 3 and, for 12 months, they’ll be known as world champion. The current PDC World Darts Championship betting odds have these guys tipped to win:
- Luke Humphries: 3/1
- Michael van Gerwen: 7/2
- Gerwyn Price: 9/2
- Michael Smith: 11/1
- Gary Anderson: 14/1
Other hot darts bets for the festive season are Most 180s in a Day, Highest Checkout and First to a 9 Dart Finish.
The best throwers in the world all compete at the PDC World Darts Championship. The atmosphere at Ally Pally is electric from the moment the first arrow is thrown on December 15. The frivolities go right through December and into the new year.
Christmas betting advent calendars
Christmas betting advent calendars are, as you’d expect, month-long gambling offers that give you a surprise gift every day. These gifts cover everything from free bets and reload bonuses, to casino credits and free spins.
What’s nice about Xmas betting advent calendars is that you never know what you’re going to get. Therefore, you’ve always got a reason to log in, complete the necessary wagering requirements and get something special.
Of course, you should always gamble responsibly. Don’t risk more than you can afford to lose just to get a Christmas betting bonus.
However, if you’ve got the means to do it and you want maximum value throughout the festive season, make sure you check out the Xmas betting advent calendars at bet365, Luckster, PriveWin.
🙋♂️ Frequently asked questions about Christmas betting bonuses
Finding a treat or two under the sports betting Christmas tree requires a combination of knowledge and timing.
As well as knowing where and when to claim the latest offers, you need to know how to get them. So, before you head off to fill your stockings, here are some final points to consider.
1. Which online bookmakers had the best Christmas betting offers last year?
Some of the best online bookmakers for Christmas sports betting bonuses last year were bet365, BetUK, and Spreadex.
As well as perennial performers in the bonus stakes, don’t sleep on UK betting market newbies such as BetMGM, Luckster, and LiveScore Bet.
2. Are all UK bookies offering special betting bonuses for Christmas sports events?
All the top UK bookmakers will have festive bonuses for sports bettors. Some might not have deals that are themed, but everyone has something to offer.
Some of the standout deals we’ve found this year are the £15,000 Winterfest challenge at Luckster, the Leicester City giveaway at Parimatch and the £2 million Golden Goals promo at BetMGM.
3. Why use Christmas betting bonuses instead of regular offers?
Christmas is a time for giving, and the top UK online betting sites certainly do that. They enter into the spirit as much as anyone else, which is why the biggest bonuses always come out around Xmas.
Combine this with the fact there are tons of top sports events happening, including horse racing, boxing, darts and football, and there are Xmas betting promotions aplenty.
4. When should you use a Christmas betting bonus?
You should use your Christmas betting bonuses before the big day or their expiry date. Most deals focus on specific events, so they’ll need to be used before certain dates.
For example, if you get a free bet for the Welsh Grand National, you’ll need to use it before the race starts on December 27.
5. Are sports betting sites also offering casino bonuses?
Yes, they are! Christmas betting offers aren’t confined to the sporting arena.
Virtually all of our recommended sports betting operators have online casino with Christmas promos, which means you can play slots and table games for bonus bets, free spins, leaderboard prizes and progressive jackpots. It’s the season of giving and our gambling sites certainly give generously in December.
About the author
Daniel Smyth
Daniel Smyth has seen the online poker, casino, and betting industry from every angle. He previously played poker semi-professionally before working at WPT Magazine as a writer and editor. From there, he transitioned to online gaming where he’s been producing expert content for over 10 years.
Follow Daniel on Twitter @DanSmythThePoet
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Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
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