As markets continue to open their doors, legal sports betting is skyrocketing in popularity. But popularity means options, and options can be overwhelming.
Entering the space as a newbie bettor can be especially daunting when every sportsbook worth its salt is throwing out varying sign-up bonuses to incentivize potential customers to choose their platform.
As it turns out, however, there are several common types of welcome offers that prospective bettors are most likely to come across. Getting acquainted with each of these bets is a great way to conquer any newcomer anxiety and decide where to begin.
Free bet
Free bets are arguably the least complicated type of sign-up bonus. Sportsbooks will offer a set amount of free money once bettors make a deposit that they can use to wager on whatever they wish. However, that money cannot be simply withdrawn as cash.
As an example, if a bettor wagers $10 of free money and profits $10, they will have gained $10 that they can later cash out. Some bettors may opt to bet big since they are using free money, such as with a parlay, but sportsbooks will sometimes have rules limiting payouts.
Bet credits, which are a form of sign-up bonus unique to bet365, also work like free bets. While they have a different name, bet credits can be used like real money, though they cannot be withdrawn on their own.
Here are our top-two sportsbooks offering a free bet sign-up bonus:
| Sportsbook | Bonus Offer | Promo Code |
|---|---|---|
| BetRivers | Up to a $500 free bet | No code - Claim now |
| SugarHouse | Up to a $500 free bet | No code - Claim now |
No deposit bonus
A no deposit bonus is the closest a bettor can get to placing an actual free bet. In this case, a sportsbook will credit a new customer’s account upon sign-up with a specified amount of free money, no deposit required. Understandably, these amounts are usually smaller than other bonuses — often between $5 and $25.
If a bettor makes a wager and wins, they will receive the profit from the bet, but not the free money stake. Essentially, no deposit bonuses work the same way as free bets — they just don’t require a deposit to trigger.
Sportsbooks tend not to offer no deposit bonuses as often as other incentives because they completely favor the customer. As such, the hope is that new bettors will find they enjoy the experience of the sportsbook enough to commit long-term.
No deposit bonuses are now predominantly used as pre-launch offers, with bettors being given the likes of free bets or site credit. For example, DraftKings recently offered new customers in Louisiana a $100 free bet pre-registration bonus.
Site credit is essentially the same as a free bet, except with one key difference — it’s malleable. While a bettor will generally need to use a free bet all at once, site credit can be broken up and used on multiple wagers.
That means a bettor could use $30 in site credit to place two $15 wagers or three $10 wagers.
At present, there are no sportsbooks offering a no deposit sign-up bonus. But stay tuned — upcoming big events like the Super Bowl could see them reappear soon.
Risk-free bet
A risk-free bet — also referred to as a second-chance bet or first bet insurance — entails a bettor receiving something in return should they lose their initial wager. That something is typically a 100% refund up to the bet amount.
For example, BetMGM's current welcome offer for those living in most U.S. states is up to $1,000 back in free bets. That means the operator will gift the bettor’s account with their wager amount (up to $1,000) in free bets if their first wager falls flat.
It’s important to be aware, however, that different sportsbooks have different methods for returning a wager amount. Some, like FanDuel, will use site credit, while others may use a free bet or bonus cash.
Here are our top-three sportsbooks offering a risk-free bet sign-up bonus:
| Sportsbook | Bonus Offer | Promo Code |
|---|---|---|
| Caesars | Up to $1,250 on Caesars | No code - Claim now |
| FanDuel | $1,000 no sweat first bet | No code - Claim now |
| BetMGM | $1,000 back in free bets | No code - Claim now |
Deposit match
A deposit match bonus involves a sportsbook offering to match a bettor’s initial deposit up to a certain dollar amount. First-time customers will likely receive a 100% match rate, though the dollar amount will vary depending on the operator.
Should a bettor make a $100 deposit at a sportsbook with a 100% match rate bonus, they would be given an additional $100. However, depending on what form that currency is offered in — be it free money or site credit, for example — there may be extra terms and conditions that must be met to withdraw it.
Here are our top-three sportsbooks offering a deposit match sign-up bonus:
| Sportsbook | Bonus Offer | Promo Code |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | 100% deposit match up to $1,000 | No code - Claim now |
| Tipico | 100% deposit match up to $250 | No code - Claim now |
| Superbook | 100% deposit match up to $1,000 | No code - Claim now |
Enhanced odds
Enhanced odds are as straightforward as can be — they’re when a sportsbook boosts the value of its betting odds. This is sometimes done for a bettor’s first wager following sign-up, though the bonus is often offered to existing customers or those who are part of a loyalty program. Certain sportsbooks will also offer boosted odds in general rather than a bonus to lure new bettors.
Bookmakers will usually apply a maximum stake to an enhanced odds bet to ensure they won’t have to deliver a massive payout. Sometimes, there will be a minimum stake, too.
Here are our top-two sportsbooks offering enhanced odds in lieu of a sign-up bonus:
| Sportsbook | Bonus Offer | Promo Code |
|---|---|---|
| Circa Sports | Sharp odds, high limits | No code - Claim now |
| Sky Ute | Best odds in Colorado | No code - Claim now |
How to use sportsbook bonuses
There are a multitude of ways to use a sign-up bonus. An instinct for a novice bettor is to bet on a favorite to play it safe for their first wager. However, sportsbooks often place odds restrictions on free bets, preventing them from being used on heavy favorites.
It tends to make the most sense, then, for bettors to use their welcome bonus on an underdog since, if that underdog wins, they’ll immediately add a significant boost to their account. And if the underdog loses, they’ll receive a free bet (or something similar) to soften the blow.
Of course, this all depends on a first-time bettor’s comfort level and the size of their bankroll.
What are rollovers?
A rollover is an amount a bettor must wager with a sportsbook before they can withdraw a bonus — typically a free bet. The amount is always determined by multiplying the sum of the initial deposit and welcome bonus by a given number.
For example, if a bettor deposits $100, receives a $100 sign-up bonus (equating to $200), and is subject to a 5x rollover, they will be unable to withdraw any money until they wager at least $1,000.
Of course, different sportsbooks will have different rollover requirements. It’s always vital to read through terms and conditions before placing a wager at any online site.
Are sportsbook bonuses worth it?
When it comes to sign-up bonuses, yes. While few welcome offers act as foolproof safety nets for novice bettors, something is always better than nothing. So long as the terms and conditions of the offer are understood, bettors can plan to maximize their preferred opportunity.
The average sportsbook will often offer a $500 risk-free bet for signing up, which can result in a nice boost to a first-timer’s account. Major players, such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars, provide bonuses that reach up to $1,250.
Sportsbook sign-up bonuses FAQs
A sign-up bonus is what a sportsbook offers prospective bettors with the hopes of incentivizing them to choose their site.
Sportsbook bonuses are offers that operators will provide customers should they meet certain criteria. For sign-up bonuses, new bettors usually have to register an account, and then may be required to enter a promo code. Placing a wager or making a deposit may also be necessary.
Bonuses typically appear in an account immediately, but it may take up to 24 hours, depending on the sportsbook.
Yes, so long as the sportsbook is operating legally. Make sure to check which legitimate operators can be found in your region.
Bonus bets themselves generally cannot be withdrawn as cash. To make a real-money profit with them, they must be used on a winning wager.
Some do. Generally, bonuses expire 7-30 days after they’ve been added to an account.
Most bonuses, including sign-up bonuses, require promo codes. DraftKings’ current welcome bonus promo code, for example, is WIN.
Yes, there are plenty of ongoing bonuses and promotions for existing players. Some examples include sport-specific bonuses, reload bonuses, and parlay insurance.
No. Sign-up bonuses are meant to reward a new customer for joining a sportsbook and are only offered once. Some sportsbooks will offer reload bonuses to existing customers, which provide free money for additional deposits.
