Claiming a sports betting bonus is an excellent way for bettors to start their journey at a sportsbook or give their account a boost in funds. With more funds at your disposal, you can place more bets and increase your chances of winning, all while exploring a new platform without committing too much of your own money.
Sportsbooks use these bonuses strategically to attract new customers and retain existing ones, similar to how online casinos operate. This creates a mutually beneficial relationship: bettors get enhanced betting opportunities while sportsbooks can showcase their odds and promotional offerings.
Betting Bonuses - How Do They Work
Sports betting bonuses enhance your betting budget in various ways, depending on the type of promotion offered. These bonuses aren't just for newcomers—they're available to loyal customers as well, providing ongoing value to regular bettors.
While betting bonuses offer significant advantages by allowing you to place more bets and potentially increase your winnings, they come with specific requirements. Before you can withdraw any winnings, you'll need to satisfy certain conditions outlined in the bonus terms and conditions.
When claiming a sports betting bonus, you might need to meet initial requirements first before you can take full advantage of the promotional offer.
Top Sites with Betting Bonuses
BetMGM
100% Match up to $1,000
DraftKings
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
FanDuel
$1,000 No Sweat First Bet
Caesars
Up to $1,250 on First Bet
Popular Betting Bonuses To Look For
With several types of online sports betting offers available, you have plenty of options when selecting a bonus. We recommend trying different bonus types before settling on your favorites. Here's what you should know about the most popular sports betting bonuses.
Welcome Bonuses
Welcome or sign-up bonuses are designed to attract new bettors and give them an opportunity to test a sportsbook's offerings, software, and user experience. These bonuses typically come as deposit matches or free bets.
The sportsbook will match your first deposit or bet (up to a certain amount) so you can place additional wagers. Always read the bonus conditions before accepting, as they may include playthrough or rollover requirements that must be met before withdrawing winnings.
Risk-Free Bets
Despite their name, risk-free bets aren't always entirely risk-free. For example, a sportsbook might match your first deposit if you lose your initial bet, calling the second bet "risk-free" because those funds came as a bonus. However, since you risked your own money on the first bet, the term can be somewhat misleading.
These are also known as "second chance bets" because they give you another opportunity to win using bonus funds after an initial loss.
No Deposit Bonuses
No-deposit bonuses are relatively rare in sports betting compared to online casinos. A free bet no deposit bonus means you can test a new sportsbook without making an initial deposit.
When available, these are typically offered as welcome bonuses upon registration. They usually come with stricter conditions than other sign-up bonuses, so familiarize yourself with all terms before claiming.
Parlay Insurance
Parlay insurance promotions encourage you to continue making parlay bets even after a loss. This bonus applies specifically when you get all legs of your parlay correct except one. In such cases, the sportsbook refunds your initial bet through a cash-back bonus.
This gives you another opportunity to place bets, whether another parlay or any other type of wager you prefer.
Boosted Odds
Enhanced or boosted odds promotions are particularly popular during major sporting events. Sportsbooks use these to attract bettors to sign up and wager on popular games or events.
The sportsbook boosts the odds on a popular bet, limits the stake, and pays the extra winnings in either cash or free bets. For example, if the odds of a tennis player winning Wimbledon were originally 4/1, the bookmaker might increase them to 20/1 and limit the bet to $2. If the player wins, you receive winnings from the regular odds plus the remaining amount in free bets.
Reload Bonuses
A reload bonus is essentially a smaller match deposit bonus that can be claimed multiple times. The sportsbook offers to match your deposit up to a certain percentage on one or more deposits. For example, you might get a 50% reload bonus every week for several months, or a 25% bonus on your first deposit each month.
Look for offers that suit your betting habits and carefully review the attached terms and conditions.
Deposit Match Bonus
Deposit match bonuses at sportsbooks function similarly to those at online casinos. These are particularly lucrative as welcome bonuses, with sportsbooks offering up to 100% matches or sometimes even more. With a 100% deposit match, a $100 deposit would give you an additional $100 in bonus funds.
These bonuses often come with playthrough or turnover requirements that must be met before withdrawals are permitted. Always read the terms and conditions carefully to avoid surprises later.
How To Claim Betting Bonus Online
Betting sites prominently advertise their bonuses, making them easy to find. This allows you to compare offers across the best betting sites and choose the ones that appeal to you.
Here's a step-by-step guide to claiming a welcome bonus from a sportsbook:
- Only consider legal sportsbooks with solid reputations and their welcome bonus offers.
- Choose the sports betting site and bonus you want to claim.
- Sign up with your chosen sportsbook and complete the verification process.
- Explore the website to ensure it meets your needs, then head to the cashier to make your first deposit.
- Read the welcome bonus terms and conditions carefully and follow the sportsbook's instructions for claiming it.
- You're now ready to claim the bonus offer and start placing bets.
For subsequent bonus offers beyond the welcome bonus, simply follow the instructions and review the terms and conditions before claiming. This helps avoid any unpleasant surprises later.
Pro Tip
Always check the expiration date of your bonus funds. Many betting bonuses have time limits, and you'll need to use the funds and meet any wagering requirements before they expire.
Common Sportsbook Bonus Terms and Conditions
We've mentioned bonus terms and conditions several times because they're crucial for both bettors and sportsbooks. Sportsbooks use these terms to prevent bonus abuse and protect themselves from losses when offering promotions.
Bettors must adhere to these terms to ensure they can withdraw any potential winnings. Here are some common sportsbook bonus terms and conditions:
- Playthrough requirements: Also known as rollover or wagering requirements, this is the number of times you must bet the bonus amount before withdrawing. For example, with a 20x requirement on a $50 bonus, you'd need to wager $1,000 before withdrawing winnings. Requirements can apply to both bonus and deposit funds, so read terms carefully.
- Minimum odds: The bonus may specify minimum odds for bets that count toward playthrough requirements. Bets that don't meet these minimum odds won't count toward the rollover amount.
- Expiration date: Bonuses are often time-limited, giving you a deadline to use your bonus funds and meet wagering requirements.
- Maximum withdrawal: Some sportsbooks impose maximum withdrawal limits, restricting the amount you can withdraw in a single transaction.
Other requirements might include minimum or maximum bet limits, though these are becoming less common. Referral bonuses also have specific terms—your referred friend may need to deposit a certain amount before you can access your bonus funds.
Why Sportsbooks Offer Promotions
Sportsbooks need to differentiate themselves in the competitive online betting market. Offering lucrative bonuses is an effective way to attract bettors looking for a new platform. Of course, smart bettors also consider factors like competitive odds, user experience, and customer support quality when deciding to stay with a sportsbook.
Promotions attract new customers and incentivize existing ones to remain loyal. Depending on local regulations, you might see these promotions advertised on billboards, TV, social media, or relevant websites. In countries where gambling advertisements are restricted, sportsbooks find alternative ways to attract bettors, often through more generous offers.
If you're searching for a new betting destination, claiming one of the bonuses listed on this page is a good starting point. We've tested and verified all of them, ensuring they're legitimate and represent the best sports betting offers available.
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Browse our list of verified sportsbooks with the best betting bonuses available in 2025. All sites are licensed, secure, and offer excellent customer support.