Melbourne Cup Betting 2024, Best Betting Offers, Odds & Tips

The ‘Race that Stops the Nation’ is back

Updated: March 12, 2026 at 1:16 pm GMT+0
bet365 logo
bet365
Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets
Claim Offer
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required

The Melbourne Cup is affectionately known as the race that stops the nation, and the 2024 running is on Tuesday, November 5.

Twenty-four horses will line up at Flemington, aiming to add their name to the long list of distinguished winners while also trying to land some of the $8 million AUD prize money on offer, with the race winner bagging $4.4 million AUD.

The Melbourne Cup is an excellent opportunity for punters to take advantage of free bets and special offers from the leading bookmakers.

Here are some top free bet offers for Tuesday's big race.

🏇 talkSPORT BET Melbourne Cup Free BetsBet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets
🏇 SpreadEx Melbourne Cup Free BetsBet £10 & Get £40 in Free Bets
🏇 Kwiff Melbourne Cup Free BetsBet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets
🏇 LiveScore Bet Melbourne Cup Free BetsBet £10 & Get £40 In Bonuses

Melbourne Cup Betting Offers

Check out the top free bets for the Melbourne Cup and other betting offers below.

Advertiser Disclosure:

Content on this site will contain reference to products or services from one or more of our advertisers or partners. We may receive compensation when you view ads or click on links to those products or services.

18+. New players only. Opt-in required. Min deposit £20. Offer is 100% match bonus up to £50 on your first deposit. Bonus funds can be used on a real money sports bet with minimal odds of 3/4 (1.75 decimal) or higher, any sport except virtuals, boosted odds, handicap, & draw no bet markets. Bonus funds are separate to cash funds and subject to 5x wagering requirement (bonus + deposit). Only bonus funds count toward wagering contribution. Bonus funds must be used within 30 days. Affordability checks apply. Terms apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.
Betfred logo
2
Betfred
Bet £10, Get £50 in Free Bets
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
Tote logo
3
Tote
Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets
New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40CF on registration. £/€10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 Free Sports Bet and 2 x £/€5 Football Acca within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.
bet365 logo
4
bet365
Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required
BetMGM UK logo
5
BetMGM UK
Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets
New cust: Deposit £10+ in 7 days & bet on sports. Min odds apply. Reward = 4 x £10 Free Bets (2 x £10 Bet Builders & 2 x £10 Sports Bet). Valid 7 days. Free bets not valid on eSports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Betway logo
6
Betway
Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets
*New customers only. Place a min £10 bet at min odds of 2.0. £40 worth of Free Bet Tokens awarded on bet settlement. 4 x £10 each with betting restrictions. 7 day expiry. Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply). 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way Full Terms apply
Betfair logo
7
Betfair
Bet £10 and Get £50 in Free Bets
Claim Offer
Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get 5x £10 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, Apple Pay or Debit Card will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
New customers only. First single & E/W bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 X £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
KWIFF logo
9
KWIFF
Bet £10, Get £10 Free Bet
New customers. Min £10 dep. In 5 days of first deposit, place a £10+ bet at min 1.50. No Multis/EW. Credited in 48 hrs; valid 7 days. T&Cs apply. Ends 1/1/27.
talkSPORT BET logo
10
talkSPORT BET
Get up to £40 in Footy Free Bets
18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet up to £40 (min. £20) via mobile or app on any football (odds 1/1+) within 7 days of registration. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets, which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly

How To Get Free Bets For The 2024 Melbourne Cup

With the 2024 Melbourne Cup on the horizon, online bookmakers are offering fantastic horse racing betting offers to get involved with – from free bets to enhanced place terms.

Check out our betting offers page, where you’ll discover all the top offers from the the best betting sites in the UK.


Top Melbourne Cup Bookmakers & Free Bets

With a huge interest in the UK and Ireland, betting sites are keen to grab the attention of bettors with some generous Melbourne Cup free bets on offer.

We check out the best of these below.

Paddy Power Melbourne Cup Free Bets

Paddy Power is a major player in the betting industry, providing a vast selection of markets and best value odds on races around the globe, including the Grand National, Cheltenham Festival, and the Melbourne Cup.

New customers can also take advantage of a generous sign up offer - receive £30 in free bets when you open an account with the bookmaker and place a £5 bet at minimum odds of Evens (2.00).

bet365 Melbourne Cup Free Bets

Bet365 is a top choice for betting on the Melbourne Cup, offering various markets, including win, place, and each-way bets, along with exotic options like Exacta and Trifecta.

Known for competitive odds and bonuses, bet365 also provides live streaming, allowing punters to watch races in real time after placing a bet.

New customers can receive £30 in bet credits by opening an account and placing an initial £10 bet.

bet365 logo
bet365
Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets
Claim Offer
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required

Betano Melbourne Cup Free Bets

Betano is a new name in the world of horse racing betting, but it has quickly become known for offering an extensive range of betting offers and competitive odds.

It covers major international races, such as the Grand National, the Breeders' Cup, and the Melbourne Cup.

New to Betano? They offer a great welcome promotion - open an account, place a £10 bet, and receive £30 in bonuses.

Betano logo
Betano
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets
Claim Offer
18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 on sports (odds 1/1+) within 3 days of signing up. Get 3x£10 Free Bets for set markets (odds 1/1+) which expire in 5 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly

How to Bet on the Melbourne Cup

Due to the Melbourne Cup’s popularity, not just in Australia, many online bookies offer an expanded range of betting markets compared to normal.

Check out some popular Melbourne Cup bets available at bookmakers below.

Win Bet – Wager on the horse you think will take first place in the Melbourne Cup

Place Bet – Bet on a horse to secure a top-two finish in the big race

Show Bet – A bet that the horse will finish in one of the top three positions

Each-Way Bet – A combined win and place bet. You’re betting that the horse will either win or finish in the places

Quinella Bet – Choose two horses to finish in the top two spots in any order. If both selected horses place first and second, the bet pays out

Exacta Bet – Predict the exact order of the first two horses to finish

Trifecta Bet – Select the first three horses to finish in the exact order. This is challenging but can offer a high payout

Superfecta Bet – Bet on the top four finishers in the correct order. This bet has longer odds but also greater potential rewards


Melbourne Cup Horse Racing Tips

Our tipping duo, Alan Kelly and Charlie McCann, both have free Melbourne Cup tips on-site for the big race.

Absurde (Each-Way)
Tuesday, 4:00am Flemington
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required
Vauban (Each-Way)
Tuesday, 4:00am Flemington
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required

When & Where Is The 2024 Melbourne Cup?

The Melbourne Cup may be one of the biggest races on the racing calendar in Australia, but it is also keenly watched by horse racing fans worldwide.

The race is traditionally run on the first Tuesday of November at Flemington Racecourse in the Melbourne suburbs.

This year’s race goes off at 3pm local time, which is 4am on Tuesday, November 5, in the UK and Ireland, and you can watch all the action live on Sky Sports Racing.


What Happened Last Year?

Without A Fight led home a one-two for trainer Chris Waller, with stablemate Sheraz placing second.

The Willie Mullins-trained Vauban was a disappointing 7th, while Okita Soushi for Joseph O'Brien was 11th.


Recent Melbourne Cup Winners

The Melbourne Cup is the highlight of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and we’ve listed below the last five winners of the race that stops a nation.

YearWinner
2023Without A Fight
2022Gold Trip
2021Verry Elleegant
2020Twilight Payment
2019Vow And Declare

FAQs

When is the 2024 Melbourne Cup?

The Melbourne Cup is traditionally run on the first Tuesday in November. The 2024 Melbourne Cup will be on Tuesday, November 5.

Where is the Melbourne Cup run?

The Melbourne Cup is run at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia.

What time is the Melbourne Cup?

The 2024 Melbourne Cup is scheduled for 3.00pm (Local Time) on Tuesday, November 5, which is 4am Tuesday in the UK.

Where can I watch the Melbourne Cup?

The Melbourne Cup will be shown live on Sky Sports Racing, however this will require an active Sky subscription.

Latest Betting Offers

Check the latest free bets and betting offers from the best betting sites in the UK at Freebets.com.

Jeffbet New Customers Offer - Bet £10 and Get a £30 Free Bet
Star Sports Welcome Offer - Bet £50 to Get £25 in Free Bets
See More Betting Offers
Scott McGlynn
Scott McGlynn

Scott McGlynn draws on over 30 years of sports betting and casino experience, bringing data-led insights and first-hand knowledge to our readers. An authoritative and trusted voice in the gambling industry, Scott ensures our readers are always informed on the very latest sports and casino offerings.

Free Bets, Promo Codes and Welcome Offers

BETFRED
Betfred Sign-Up Offer and Promo Code
Read Review
Kwiff Logo
Kwiff Review, Free Bets and Betting Offers 2026
Read Review
Spreadex Sports Review & Features Insight
Read Review
bet365 logo
Bet365 Review and Feature Insights
Read Review
William Hill Sports Logo
William Hill Review & Sign Up Offer
Read Review
Best CopyBet Sign Up Offer & Bonuses 2026
Read Review
BetWay Review & User Opinion
Read Review
jeffbet Logo Webp
Jeffbet Review, Sign Up Offer & Bonuses for March 2026
Read Review
Pick your bet type