Best Sports Betting Bonuses for 2024

What Are Betting Bonuses?

Betting bonuses are promotions offered by online sportsbooks with the objective to attract more patrons and keep them engaged for as long as possible. Patrons, if they choose carefully can take advantage of these betting bonuses and have more chances to win.

• Welcome bonuses: Typically one-time offers exclusively for newly registered patrons. These bonuses can come in the form of deposit matches, risk-free bets, or no-deposit offers, and act as an incentive to join a particular online sports betting site and start betting without immediate risk.
• Ongoing and seasonal promotions: For existing patrons, sportsbooks offer a wide range of ongoing promotional offers, including daily, weekly, or monthly attractions. With the right combination of bonuses and promotions, sportsbooks create an atmosphere that fits all kinds of player preferences.

How Sports Betting Promotions Work

Bonuses and promotions for betting increase the value of patrons’ stakes. Mechanisms to claim a betting bonus depend on the type of bonus you want to claim. Free bets as a welcome offer won’t require anything save the creation of an account with the sportsbook. Some welcome offers will require you to make a first deposit and match your deposit to a percentage. Ongoing and seasonal promotions can be unlocked by way of making a deposit, or opting in for the offer and using a promo code.

To access money won from bonus credit, patrons must meet a variety of wagering requirements. These requirements vary depending on the promotion and, more importantly, may vary substantially between sportsbooks. We will elaborate on the intricacies of bonus offers after we’ve highlighted how you can claim a bonus.

Steps to Claim Your US Sports Betting Bonus

Sportsbooks strive to make their bonuses easily accessible so patrons can quickly start placing bets without any hassle. However, there are some differences in how new and existing players can claim these bonuses. Here’s what the process looks like if you’ve just joined a sportsbook:

1. Open an account: You’ll need to open an account on whatever online sportsbook you have picked from our selection of top betting bonuses. In a regulated market like the US, patrons must provide the necessary documents for identity verification, such as a photo ID and proof of address, to comply with legal requirements.
2. Make a qualifying deposit: While some online sportsbooks offer no deposit bonuses, most bonuses require a qualifying deposit. Generally, the minimum deposit needed for regular promotions ranges from $10 to $20, making them accessible for most.
3. Enter a promo code (if needed): Some bonuses require you to enter a promo code during the registration or deposit process. Make sure to enter the promo code accurately to qualify for the bonus.

To claim sports betting promotions and bonuses as an existing player, the steps are similar:

1. Opt-in: Go to the promotions page and opt-in for available offers.
2. Make a qualifying deposit or bet: Meet the required deposit amount or place a specific bet.
3. Use promo codes: Don’t forget to enter the promo codes if they are required.

Types of Sportsbook Bonuses and Promotions

Whether you have just joined a US betting site, or are a returning patron, bonuses and promotions will be at your disposal. New patrons can benefit from sign-up bonuses like deposit matches and risk-free bets, while regular bettors can take advantage of ongoing promotions such as reload bonuses, free bets, odds boosts, and cashback offers.

Next, we’ll take a closer look at different types of bonuses and promotions you can find at top US betting sites, outlining all there is to know about each.

Sign Up Bonus

A sports betting sign up bonus is a promotion geared toward bettors joining the sportsbook for the first time. This is a welcome offer intended to attract new patrons by providing them with extra value when they create an account and make their first deposit. This is usually the most substantial casino bonus at any US sportsbook. To increase the offer, some sportsbooks may offer a combination of bonuses, like a deposit match plus free bet credits or a tiered bonus structure that provides extra rewards for subsequent deposits.

Deposit Match

The deposit match bonus is the most popular of the sportsbook promotion, simply for the fact that it brings the most to the table. It’s aimed at first-time patrons and serves as a way to double your initial deposit. However, the amount of the match bonus can vary between top sportsbooks. Not all sportsbooks offer impressive deposit match bonuses, they could balance it out with other promotional benefits.

A solid deposit match bonus typically ranges between $500 and $1,000. However, some sportsbooks offer even more generous match bonuses that exceed $1,000 giving high rollers and serious bettors an even greater boost to their betting bankroll.

No Deposit Bonus

A sports betting no deposit bonus is an exception among sportsbooks promo offers because it allows you to start betting without making a deposit. These offers are not substantial, in most cases bettors would receive a free bet of $5 to $25, and there would be some wagering requirements. Another typical term for a no deposit bonus on betting sites in the US is the maximum win limit. The offer is usually capped at around $100 to $200. Therefore, this bonus money won’t lead to a massive payout, but it’s a risk-free way to get to know the sportsbook better.

Bonus Bets

Bonus bets provide bettors with free funds that they can wager and win real money with, similar to no-deposit bonuses. The main difference lies in how they are awarded; bonus bets are available to both new and existing bettors. In comparison to the no deposit bonus, free bonus bets are more straightforward. They allow you to keep your winnings, with less stringent play-through requirements. The downside is that they are available just for a single bet and bonus bets will expire if not used within the timeframe as stipulated in the bonus terms and conditions.

Second Chance Bet

A second chance bet is one of the sportsbook promotions that acts as a safety net for the player. If the bet loses, bettors get a second chance in the form of bonus bets or site credits, without further risking their own money. These offers are often included as part of a welcome bonus and can provide a significant boost to a punter’s account. However, like other bonuses, second chance bets come with wagering requirements similar to those for a match bonus. These requirements must be met before any winnings from the second chance bet can be withdrawn.

Odds Boost

Bettors are always on the lookout for sportsbooks with the best odds and odds boosts or enhanced odds are a legitimate way of finding the best returns. So, what is an odds boost exactly? An odds boost is an increase in the odds for certain selections offered by the sportsbook, providing better potential payouts for the same bet. Some sportsbooks offer random odds boosts on various games after you’ve completed your bet slip, while others provide specific boosts for selected events or markets, increasing the chance to maximize winnings.

Reload Bonus

This promotion is aimed at returning bettors and encourages them to make additional deposits after the first deposit. Much like the deposit match, the sportsbook reload bonus can match up to various percentages of your deposit, ranging from 25% to 100%. Also, there will be some time limits and market restrictions, as well as other wagering requirements, which need to be met before any winnings can be withdrawn. 

Player Referrals

A player referral, or a sportsbook referral bonus as it’s known, is a promotional offer that brings some additional funds for you and your friend that you invite to join. It should be an easy process—go to your sportsbook’s referral page and create the referral link, this requires putting in your name and phone number. Share it with the friend you’re inviting. They must use this link to register and make the minimum deposit required to activate the offer. At some sportsbooks, there’s a matching reward for both, even if the invited person doesn’t get to partake in the referral bonus, they’ll have the welcome promotions to fall back on.  The value of such promotions can vary depending on the specific sportsbook. The reward is usually $25 to $75, but sportsbooks usually don’t stop at a single referral reward—we’ve seen top sportsbooks offer up to 50 referrals!

VIP Programs

Loyalty or VIP programs are designed to reward dedicated bettors who maintain regular activity on the sportsbook. However, the criteria for becoming a member can vary. Some sportsbooks will enrol bettors in the VIP program as soon as they register, while others offer invitations only after they have made significant deposits or placed high-volume bets. It’s also important to note that US sportsbook VIP programs may be integrated with other forms of gambling. If you’re playing casino games and betting on sports on the same platform, you could be making contributions to a shared VIP account, earn rewards, and climb rankings faster.

Using US Sportsbook Promo Codes to Activate Bonuses

A sports betting promo code is a unique code that activates bonuses and promotions at a sportsbook. To unlock promotions that require a promo code, use it during the registration process or when making a deposit. Here’s how to use a sportsbook promo code:

• Register or log in: Create an account or log in.
• Enter the promo code: Fill in the code during registration or deposit.
• Deposit (if needed): Make the required deposit.
• Confirm bonus: Complete the process to activate the offer.

It’s up to the sportsbook which bonuses will require a promo code. It could cover everything from sign up bonuses and risk-free bets to odds boosts and reload bonuses.

Understanding Sports Betting Terms and Conditions

These terms and conditions outline the essential rules and guidelines of a sports betting site and include the legal requirements that must be met. This includes age verification and geographic restrictions, but also general rules that provide a foundation for bonuses and promotions at a sportsbook. Knowing these terms helps bettors claim their bonuses without any issues.

Player Requirements

The age requirement for sports betting in the US is 21 in most states with legal sports betting. The exceptions are in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Minnesota, and Wyoming, where sports betting is allowed for persons 18 years of age and older. Bettors who are of an eligible age can join the sportsbook after providing the required documents and proving their identity. The welcome bonus can be claimed once exclusively by the new arrivals while existing bettors can enjoy regular promotions. Another important requirement for bettors in the US is geolocation. Sportsbook offers are often restricted to specific states, meaning a bonus available in one state may not be accessible to those in another. Some leading sportsbooks provide apps equipped with built-in geolocation features, allowing patrons to be aware of their eligibility based on their location. 

Qualifying Deposits

To activate most bonuses and promotions, bettors need to invest their own money. This minimum amount necessary for activation is also known as a qualifying deposit. For most sportsbook promotions and bonuses it will be around $10, or even less. The clear exception to the norm is the no deposit bonus. The player doesn’t have to deposit any money, but the bonus amounts are typically smaller. It usually comes in the form of a single free bet from $10 to $25. This promotion is a good way to introduce bettors to the deposit match bonus, which they must invest to fully benefit from. It can motivate them to spend some time on the sportsbook to explore its features without any risk.

Wagering Requirements

Sportsbook bonuses and betting promotions have wagering requirements, or playthrough requirements, in place so these bonus funds wouldn’t be abused. Bettors can’t simply withdraw bonus funds as real money–they need to fulfil these requirements which cover all the terms and conditions attributed to a promotion. These include the playthrough requirements, which are the number of times that the bonus funds need to be wagered and the time frame in which to accomplish this requirement. Bettors also need to watch for what sports and markets are made available. Finally, the promotions would have the minimum odds for the placed bets to be eligible. Here’s an example of how this would work with a free bet bonus of $50:

• Receive the bonus: The player receives a $50 bonus.
• Place qualifying bets: The bets placed to meet these requirements must often meet certain conditions, such as minimum odds or specific types of bets.
• Meet the wagering requirement: If the bonus terms state the wagering requirements are 5x, the player must wager a total of $250 ($50 x 5) before they can withdraw any winnings.

While bettors can accumulate winnings from bets placed to meet the wagering requirements, they cannot withdraw any of these funds until the requirements are fully met.

How to Choose the Best Sports Betting Bonus Offers

When choosing the best sportsbook promotions and bonuses look beyond the flashy headlines and consider the value they provide. To find the best overall value find bonuses that are easy to claim, there are too many sports betting promotions that are great on paper but never come through. Here’s what to look for when selecting a betting bonus or promotion:

• Low playthrough requirements: Bonuses with playthrough requirements between 5x and 10x are within the industry standard, and are easier to convert into real cash.
• Low qualifying deposits: If you want to reduce your upfront risk, choose promotions that require minimal initial deposits to activate.
• Can be used across multiple markets: If the sportsbook allows you to use bonus funds on a variety of sports and betting markets, you have more options and control over how to use the bonus funds.

Get the Most Out of Sportsbook Promotions

Online betting bonuses and promotions in the US have never been more appealing, with a wide variety of bonuses available—from sign up offers and deposit match bonuses to no deposit bonuses and free bonus bets—there’s something for everyone. Each type of bonus brings its advantages, whether it’s giving new bettors a risk-free start or rewarding regular bettors for their loyalty. Understanding these offers and how they work is key to making the most of them. To truly benefit, sports bettors should focus on promotions with low playthrough requirements, reasonable qualifying deposits, and flexibility across multiple markets. All things considered, there is a lot of promise in the US sports betting market. Patrons can take advantage of a competitive array of incentives catered to suit various tastes and styles, as numerous regulated sportsbooks compete for patrons’ attention.

FAQs on Betting Bonuses and Promos

What are online sports betting bonuses?

Online sports betting bonuses are promotional offers provided by sportsbooks to attract new bettors and reward existing ones. These bonuses can come in various forms, such as deposit matches, free bets, no deposit bonuses, and risk-free bets, giving them extra value for their money.

How do I claim a sign up bonus?

To claim a sports betting sign up bonus, you typically need to register with a sportsbook, make a qualifying deposit, and sometimes enter a promo code. Once you meet these conditions, the bonus will be credited to your account for you to use.

What are wagering requirements?

Wagering requirements are conditions that require punters to bet a certain amount before they can withdraw any winnings from a bonus. For example, a 5x playthrough requirement on a $50 bonus means you must place $250 worth of bets before you can cash out the potential winnings.

Can I use a sports betting bonus across different sports?

Yes, many sportsbook bonuses are flexible and can be used across various sports and markets. However, always check the bonus terms, as some offers might be restricted to specific sports or bet types.

What is a no deposit bonus?

A no deposit bonus doesn’t require any initial investment from the punter. In this regard, it is similar to a free bet. The sportsbook is giving you free money that you can wager and try to win real money. No deposit bonuses are often modest in size and come with higher wagering requirements and a maximum win limit.

Are there any risks involved with betting bonuses?

Betting bonuses are essentially free money that sportsbooks offer as promotions. However, to fully benefit from some of these offers, you may need to deposit a significant amount of your own money. Therefore, it’s important to carefully review the terms and conditions of any bonus before committing to a large deposit.

What is an odds boost?

An odds boost is the increase in odds for your selection at the sportsbook. This provides you with a chance for a higher payout than you would have with the original odds. These enhanced odds are usually available for a limited time and on selected events.

Do all sportsbooks offer second chance bets?

Second chance bets are promotions that provide the patrons with a refund in bonus bets in case they lose their initial wager. Some generous second chance bets can go up to $500 and above, but not all sportsbooks provide this bonus offer.

How do free bonus bets work?

With free bonus bets, you don’t have to stake your own money. The sportsbook provides a small amount, usually between $5 and $25, which you can wager. If you win, you keep the profit, but the original bet amount returns to the sportsbook.