We’ve been busy registering with some top online sportsbooks and putting the very best sports betting welcome bonuses to the test.
In this guide, our aim is to detail the different types of promotions you’ll come across, the considerations you need to bear in mind, and why it is so important to look beyond the sign up offer.
Pretty much all online sportsbooks will have welcome offers for new customers, but the trick is to only get those deals that give you good value. So here are three excellent sign up offers that you can get from some of the biggest online sportsbooks right now.
You cannot fault DraftKings for the quality of its welcome bonus as it will instantly give you $150 in site credit just for putting down a $5 qualifying bet. So by getting this deal you will get to enjoy a massive amount of sports betting entertainment just for making a pretty small bet.
It’s also nicely simple to get this deal. All that you have to do is to sign up to DraftKings for the first time and then make a minimum $5 deposit into your newly created account. Once you have done that, you just need to place a minimum $5 bet on any market and then you’ll get $150 in bonus bets instantly.
These bonus bets will be granted in the form of six $25 bonus bet tokens that have to be used within seven days. A great introduction to what DraftKings is all about.
Trust FanDuel to put on yet another staggering sign up bonus. Here you could get a deal that gives you $200 in bonus bets if you make a $5 qualifying bet and this bet wins. If that opening bet loses, you’ll miss out on this bonus.
Let’s walk through what you need to do to claim this special offer. First of all, you will need to register your first-ever FanDuel account via the brand’s website or app. Once you have done this, you need to make a minimum $5 deposit and then bet at least $5 on any sportsbook market.
Now you just have to sit back and see if you bet wins or loses. If it wins, you’ll get your bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet tokens that have to be used within seven days.
If you’re worried about making your first sports bets, you’ll love the welcome offer from Caesars. After all, it is a deal that will refund your first bet, if it loses, by 100% up to $1,000.
To get this deal, you will just need to register your first account at Caesars while using the eligible promo code from the brand’s website. Then it’s just a matter of making a deposit and your first sports bet, and the good news is that there is no minimum amount for either.
If your first bet loses, you’ll get your stake refunded in bonus bets that you have to use within 14 days. However, if your first bet wins, you will simply get to collect your winnings as normal. A true win-win situation.
Sure, many of the best online betting sites will have some sort of welcome bonus ready and waiting for you, and why wouldn’t you want to start your time online with a helping hand?
Naturally, your experience will depend on the offers that are available to you. The no-deposit bonus is popular for those who are a little cautious, the deposit match is ideal for those looking for extra fuel to place their bets, and the first bet offer acts as a kind of security blanket.
Generally speaking, an online sportsbook with a new customer offer will also provide you with a better look at the kind of experience you can expect throughout. If you’re finding that terms and conditions are fairly straightforward, wagering requirements are competitive, and the qualifying limits are inclusive, you can feel pretty confident that you’ve found yourself a reputable site.
In the banners on this page, you’ll find a selection of top betting bonuses from some of the biggest sportsbooks around. However, before you go diving in, it may just be worth finding out what each type of promo has to offer.
As the name suggests, you won’t be expected to fund your account in order to unlock this bonus. However, you will need to meet some very specific requirements in order to release and play through it.
Initially, you’ll need to work your way through the registration process. Here, you may be expected to opt-in to the promotion or enter a promo code.
Once you’ve created your account, you’ll then be expected to verify it before any bonus bets can be released. Often, the requirements of this offer are far greater than alternative promotions. Although considered a minor negative, you are getting some free bets for absolutely nothing. Also, you may find that these promotions are smaller in size.
If you’ve already managed to work your way through some of our sportsbook reviews, you’ll have stumbled across the deposit match or matched deposit bonus. These promotions are incredibly popular, effectively providing you with extra chances to bet on sports.
The matched deposit works by matching your first deposit up to a certain value. Usually, you’ll find that most sportsbooks tend to provide you with a 100% match. In essence, this means you’ll receive bonus bets up to the equivalent value of your first deposit. Again, additional terms will vary depending on your chosen sportsbook. However, you will likely be expected to opt in, enter a promotional code, and play through your bonus bets within a set time frame.
Here you’ll find that you need to make a qualifying deposit, bet on sports, and wait for your first wager to result. Should your first bet lose, you’ll find that bonus bets equivalent to the value of your first stake are returned to you. Should you win, 99% of the time, you’ll walk away with your winnings only.
We think this welcome bonus is ideal for those looking to test the waters. After all, regardless of how closely you pay attention to the hockey headlines, freak results can (and will) happen.
| Sports betting welcome bonus | Deposit required | Playthrough requirement | Bonus bets released instantly | Minimum qualifying bets imposed | Capped winnings imposed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No-deposit offer | No | High | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deposit match bonus | Yes | Varied | Yes | Yes | Varied |
| First bet offer | Yes | Low | No | Yes | No |
I’m going to show you a few things to consider before registering and redeeming your next welcome offer.
Promotional codes really do play a huge role in the redemption process. For sports betting sites, they provide a clear distinction between the range of promotions on offer. For you, they help to confirm the type of betting bonus you wish to unlock.
These are well worth reviewing. Generally, you’ll find that all traditional payment methods are accepted and will contribute towards the redemption of your bonus. However, this can change depending on your chosen sportsbook and Skrill, Neteller, and other e-wallets do tend to be the main exclusions.
The minimum qualifying deposit usually hovers around the same value as the minimum deposit limit found on-site. The only time this usually differs is if there is a specific high-roller promotion running alongside.
Once you’ve redeemed your welcome bonus, you’ll want to make sure that you give yourself enough time and opportunity to play through it.
The wagering requirements will soon help you to establish whether you’ve found a solid promotion, too. Obviously, the lower the requirements are, the less you’ll have to play through them. Just be careful as to whether they are based on your bonus only or the combined value of your bonus and deposit.
There is little point in releasing any welcome bonus that doesn’t suit your own betting style or sporting preferences. For example, if you spend half your time checking out the latest basketball news, a promo that deems NBA markets ineligible is going to be no good.
Finally, you’ll want to get yourself familiar with any additional bonus terms.
As an example, many sports betting promos will now void any progress if you cash out your wagers. Also, you may find that a minimum odds requirement must be met – any bet placed with odds below this set value will not contribute.
Before you find your next welcome offer, just look at how easy it is to get started.
Most top platforms now provide streams of ongoing perks for sports bettors, including:
Of course the type of welcome bonus available is an important factor when signing up for a new sportsbook account but before that, bettors must check their eligibility based on their location. Not every legal sports betting site operates in every state. In fact, there is a wide variety of brands across the country, some of which are based in a single state, others who have much wider coverage across the nation.
Be sure to check which sports betting sites are available based on where you live and what bonuses are available on that basis too. They can sometimes differ between different states, even from the same company.
Okay, it now seems like you’re just about ready to take advantage of the banners on this page and begin redeeming your bonus.
To recap, you’ll usually find one of three or a selection of three different sports betting bonuses, including the deposit match, the first bet offer, and the no-deposit bonus. Each comes with very different perks, but all have the potential to help you familiarize yourself with the sports betting lobby.
While working your way through my reviews, consider the wagering requirements, eligible markets, and any further terms and conditions that could boost your time online. If you plan on sticking around, be sure to check out what lies beyond the welcome stage, too.
Absolutely. Although there are no guarantees, certain offers can be played through and considered a part of your cash balance.
The best sports betting offers will be fairly sizable, easy to redeem, and have plenty of eligible markets. Our reviews cover all of the basics, including wagering requirements, promotional codes, and any key terms that are worth considering.
Usually, no. However, this will all depend on the kind of platform you join. You may find that you can unlock a two-in-one or a sports betting welcome bonus that is made up of separate parts. For the most part, though, you’ll need to choose one between those available.
Quite possibly. Some platforms now focus just as heavily on the mobile experience, so you may find that individual promotions are available to those of you planning to bet through the mobile app.
It really does depend on your chosen offer. With most sports promotions, you’ll find that the majority of any major sports are covered. However, this will vary, and does not include all markets or any minimum odds requirements that may be attached. Keep in mind that there are certain betting no deposit bonuses that might have restrictions on which sports you can wager on.
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