Joining the best betting sites with a welcome bonus is a key consideration for many bettors looking for their next sportsbook. Rightfully so, the additional value that these offers provide can not be underestimated.
Betting welcome bonuses are the definition of ‘getting more bang for your buck’. Yet, many new bettors overlook their benefits, even veteran bettors face difficulties in tracking down the best offers. So, join me as we separate fact from fiction when it comes to welcome offers, taking a close look into everything you need to know about these betting promotions.
Go to BetMGM
| Requirements (WR): | – |
| Min. Deposit: | $10 |
| Min. Odds: | – |
| Requirements (WR): | 1x Bonus |
| Min. Deposit: | 5 |
| Min. Odds: | – |
| Requirements (WR): | 1x Deposit |
| Min. Deposit: | $10 |
| Min. Odds: | – |
| Requirements (WR): | 1x Deposit |
| Min. Deposit: | – |
| Min. Odds: | – |
| Requirements (WR): | 1x Bonus |
| Min. Deposit: | $10 |
| Min. Odds: | -500 |
| Requirements (WR): | 1x Bonus |
| Min. Deposit: | $10 |
| Min. Odds: | -200 |
| Requirements (WR): | – |
| Min. Deposit: | – |
| Min. Odds: | – |
Sports fans! Picture this, you’ve entered your favorite sporting arena from around the world, the crowd is roaring and the excitement is electric. As a new fan in the stands, the friendly folks at the sportsbook want to roll out the red carpet just for you.
Enter the world of betting offers. The welcome bonuses are essentially the ultimate starter pack for you to begin your betting journey as a new bettor. Each one is designed to make you feel like a VIP from the get-go, by adding additional incentive and value to your first deposits. They come in all shapes and sizes, the most common are betting welcome bonuses that offer increased value on your initial deposit. For example, you could deposit $100 as a new player and the sportsbook will add an additional $100, leaving you with a total account balance of $200. But, we’ll cover the different types of betting welcome offers you can claim and how to do so later on in this guide together.
The world of betting welcome bonuses is like stepping into a magical kingdom where freebies and perks are waiting for you around every corner. But, just like in a fantasy realm, there are different types of bonuses that can make your experience even more enchanting. Each bonus offer has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on where and how you choose to use it.
Think of it as if you’re rating a sports player, they might be super fast on their feet but less physical. Well bonus types can be similar, some might be better for increasing your potential profits on a single bet like enhanced odds. While others might be better for increasing the amount you have to play with like a matched deposit bonus. Finding a bonus that suits your playing style and preferences can be the perfect way to ensure you start your sportsbook experience off on the right foot.
Below you can find all of the most popular bonus types with their descriptions from free bets to no deposit bonuses, risk-free bets and more.
| Welcome bonus type | Description |
|---|---|
| Matched deposit bonus | The sportsbook matches a percentage of the first deposit made by the player. For example: 100% match up to $500. |
| No deposit bonus | Bonus money given without requiring a deposit. Typically smaller amounts, between $5 and $20. |
| Risk-Free bet | First bet is insured, meaning if it loses, the player gets a refund (often as site credit). For example: place a $50 bet, and if it loses, get $50 back in Bonus Bets. |
| Free bet | Bettors receive a free bet after making a qualifying deposit or bet. For example: Deposit $10 and receive a $10 free bet. |
| Enhanced odds | Boosted odds on a specific event or market for new customers. For example enhanced odds of 50/1 for a chosen team to win. |
| Cashback bonus | A percentage of losses refunded as a bonus over a specified period. For example: 10% cashback on losses during the first week. |
| Parlay insurance | Refund or bonus if one leg of a multi-bet (accumulator) loses. For example: Get your stake back as a free bet if one selection in a 5-leg accumulator loses. |
The process of claiming an offer at betting sites with welcome bonuses can vary drastically. So if you’re interested to learn how you can get your hands on these jaw-dropping bonuses and offers that supercharge your betting experience, you’re gonna have to strap in!
Got a sportsbook in mind? Alright, well head over to their homepage and look for their welcome bonus landing page. Once you’ve located the next step is super important, get your magnifying glasses out and skim over the relevant terms and conditions. Boring? I know, but it’s super important. Checking the terms and conditions is essential to ensure you know exactly how you can qualify for the bonus and how you can benefit from it by checking over key information such as wagering requirements, max bonus, max bet, odds requirements and more.
Happy with the T&Cs? Next up is the registration process, if you want a bonus, you’ll need an account, it’s as simple as that. Again, the registration process can be different from provider to provider. There isn’t necessarily a one shoe fits all approach when it comes to sportsbooks. But, the vast majority will follow a relatively similar process which is as follows:
5 steps, as easy as pie! Once you’ve got your account setup there are two final steps to complete, selecting a payment method and making your first deposit. Selecting your payment method is quick and easy, unless you’re indecisive, as there is often a huge variety of choices. From Credit to Debit Cards, Paypal, Skrill, Venmo, Bank Transfer, E-check, Paysafecard and many more. However, be sure to check there is no payment type exemption for the betting welcome bonus. You wouldn’t want to go through all this work to find you’ve excluded yourself by using the wrong payment type.
Finally the yellow brick road comes to an end, yes you’ve made it to the land of Oz. Verify your deposit amount and authorize the payment and you’re good to go. Make sure the deposit amount matches up against the eligibility requirements for your bonus offer. Additionally make sure you’re getting the maximum amount of value based on your budget.
Think you’ve seen it all when it comes to welcome bonuses? Think again! Some sportsbooks are like puzzle masters, hiding their welcome bonuses behind a secret code known as ‘betting promo codes’. These codes offer a slightly different dynamic to claiming your welcome bonus.
It is rare, but some providers will require the use of a promo code to access their welcome bonus. In these instances you will need to find the code and add it to the promo code section when depositing or registering with your chosen sportsbook. It’s like solving your very own treasure hunt, but instead of finding buried treasure, you’ll find a bonus that’s all yours! When the code has been successfully added you will then be eligible to claim the welcome bonus.
While many bookmakers will pull out all of the stops when it comes to serving up the best betting welcome bonuses to prospective new customers, there’s a catch. Before you opt in to receiving their welcome bonus you’ll likely need to make an initial deposit. Worry not, most offers will allow you to deposit a relatively small amount, typically as low as $10. Additionally, many bonuses will require you to have played through the initial deposit in certain betting markets before releasing the all important welcome prize to you. If that’s the case, think of it as a little warm-up lap before the main event.
Want to see how that looks in a real world example? Okay, let’s say you deposit $50 to receive a $100 free bet from your chosen sportsbook. Hidden away in their T&Cs they require the initial deposit to be wagered in full to claim the $100 free bet. So, in order to receive your free bet you’ll first need to place $50 worth of bets with the provider. Only then will the mighty bonus be released from its cage.
Ah! You got me, the trusty no deposit welcome bonus. For all of those living under a rock, the no deposit bonus allows you to register at a sportsbook and claim a small amount of Bonus Cash or Bets to play with. This can range anywhere from $5 to $20 and provides a great way for bettors to claim a welcome bonus without depositing any cash upfront.
However, the no deposit bonuses are becoming increasingly rare, right now they’re about as common as your favorite basketball player making a full-court shot blindfolded. Yea, even LeBron would struggle with that one. Sportsbooks really don’t like to give too much value upfront for free, they are a business after all so it does make sense. Additionally, the terms and conditions surrounding these welcome bonuses are often much more stringent than traditional sign up offers. With wagering requirements that are much more difficult to meet, combined with lower maximum winnings. For this reason many established bettors in the sports betting community choose to stick with real money deposit bonuses.
Using those betting welcome bonuses is like having a secret stash of lucky pennies. It’s all about maximizing the fun and seeing where your bets take you! Just remember to play smart, enjoy the ride, and maybe sprinkle a little extra luck on your favorite team. But, if you are newer to the concept of betting welcome offers or even new to the concept of using sportsbooks in general, then here are a few of my top tips when it comes to maximizing the fun and enjoyment you can receive from welcome bonuses.
With the added value that a welcome bonus can provide, it represents the perfect opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and explore the many different sports and betting markets available. Had a long standing interest in a more niche sport? Maybe it’s Table Tennis, maybe it’s Volleyball, name it and play it. That’s the fun that can come with using your betting welcome bonuses wisely.
You can also experiment with different betting types than the ones you typically use. Maybe prop bets tickle your fancy, or futures could be your new betting style, who knows! This exploration not only adds excitement to your experience but also broadens your understanding of different sports and markets. Which will ultimately give you more opportunities to identify the best bets on the market.
Does exactly what it says on the tin’ is not something that we can apply to the world of sports betting unfortunately. More often than not sportsbooks will make big and bold claims about their betting welcome bonuses, until you read the fine print of the terms and conditions to discover it’s not such an appealing proposition as you once thought.
When reading the fine print you want to look specifically at restrictions around wagering requirements, minimum odds, time limits, max bonus and max winnings. This information not only helps you weed out the good from the bad bonuses when it comes to selecting one to use. But, it can also help you better strategize how you intend to use the bonus. Think of it as deciphering a treasure map, each detail matters in guiding your path to maximizing the bonus.
While sports betting is undeniably exciting, it’s important to approach it with a balanced and responsible mindset. Having written so many sports betting articles and talked to so many of you in the gaming community, my number one tip is always responsible gaming. Without this key principle in place it is hard to truly enjoy the goodness of betting welcome bonuses.
Think of your welcome bonus like sprinkles on an ice cream sundae, extra sweetness to make your betting experience even more delightful! Be sure to set some goals for your bets and stick to a budget that feels reasonable to your personal situation. Betting is all about enjoying the ride, not stressing about hitting the big money overnight. Keep your cool like a pro poker player, make smart choices, and savor every moment of the game’s excitement. With this approach, you’ll be able to lap up all of the fun and excitement that a welcome bonus can deliver.
Now that we’ve covered many of the basics regarding betting welcome bonuses, let’s turn our heads to the pros and cons that they can provide. As they are undoubtedly a great way to kickstart your betting journey, but they still come with their own set of highs and lows. Here is a closer examination of some of the most prominent pros and cons to expect when claiming a sports betting welcome bonus:
Insightful and inspiring, I hope these are two fundamentals you can take away with you from this welcome bonuses guide. As you eagerly look to start your sports betting journey with a bang and claim the perfect welcome bonus for you.
Ultimately, betting welcome bonuses have always been a monumental success with the user base, I bet you’ll feel the same too. Think of them as the confetti cannon at your betting parade, showering you with a wealth of extra value, fun, and excitement. If you’re smart enough to grab them, these offers will boost your starting balance, allowing you to play longer thanks to the bonus cash and bets. It’s like having an extended happy hour, but for sports betting!
These bonuses also let you unlock new sports and markets you might not have tried otherwise. Who knows? You might find a new love for Water Sports, Table Tennis or Badminton. Of course, all welcome bonuses will come with certain terms and conditions. So be sure to check those out before claiming any offer so you’re well informed and can make the best possible decision for yourself.
So what’s stopping you? Set sail and locate the perfect betting welcome bonuses. Analyze their terms and conditions, make the all important deposit and enjoy the fun on offer!
Yes, there is no shortage of betting apps with welcome bonuses for bettors to make the most of. In the vast majority of cases, a welcome bonus will apply to both the desktop and mobile app platform. As most sportsbook providers allow users to have identical account balances regardless of the device they play on. This means you can register and make your first deposit while on mobile and claim betting welcome bonuses.
Typically you will only be able to claim one welcome bonus per account. Additionally, most bookmakers will prevent you from opening more than one account. However, some welcome bonuses do spread the bonuses across multiple first time deposits. For example you can claim a 100% matched bonus on your first deposit, 50% on your second and 25% on your third. This makes it feel as though you are claiming multiple bonuses from the same sportsbook. Furthermore, there is no limit as to how many sign-up offers you can claim with different operators.. However, I would highly recommend taking your time and making full use of your current welcome bonus before moving on to another.
Typically no, welcome bonuses are only available to new customers. But, the key here is to acknowledge the terminology used, when we think of ‘welcome’ bonus, this is something that applies to new bettors being welcomed with open arms. There is still a wealth of different promotions and rewards you’ll be eligible for if you become a regular player at one sportsbook, including loyalty programs, referral bonuses, price boosts and much more.
Sports betting has not been legalized in every location around the world or in every US state. Sad! I know, but we are beginning to see more relaxed legislation, with more states in the US opening their doors to sportsbooks. But, until all states have fully legalized sports betting you will need to check if the sportsbook is legal in your state. If you can access the bookmaker from your state then you will likely be able to access their welcome bonus. Although, there are frequently state-level regulations placed on welcome bonuses, which may affect their terms and conditions such as wagering requirements, max bonus and max deposit.
The availability of markets and sports may vary depending on the sportsbook and type of bonus. For this reason it is essential that you read in full the terms and conditions to understand the eligibility of your welcome bonus. Generally, welcome offers such as matched deposit bonuses and free bets will be more relaxed in the types of sports and markets you can use them on. Whereas offers such as the enhanced odds welcome bonus will likely apply to one specific match.
Go to BetMGM
Go to BetMGM
