What makes a top sports betting bonus?
There are, in essence, two parts of what makes a great betting welcome bonus – or any other form of offer for that matter. Firstly, there’s the initial appearance. This is what’s advertised to you – the core concept of an offer. Let’s say you walk on through a site’s virtual doors and you see ‘Bet ￡10 and get ￡30 back on your first bet’. That sounds great, and they may even be among the best free bets offers going, but not so fast.
Just like you should not assume a meal is as delectable as it appears on the menu, looks can be deceiving with bonuses. That’s why it’s important to look at the terms and conditions to get a real taste of what’s on offer. In other words, the terms make up the finest promotions. So, here’s some of the most important that you’ll want to pay attention to:
![Stake]()
Get bonus now ![BC.GAME]()
Get bonus nowGet 180% (or 300% for new registrations within 7 minutes) with the first deposit (minimum $10), up to a maximum of $20,000 or an equivalent amount in other currencies. TCs apply. This offer is only available to new and eligible customers.
![Bet365]()
up to 100€ in Bet Credits
Get bonus now 1. Activation terms
Before you can enjoy any sports betting bonus, you’ll need to know how to activate it. Typically, this is done either by registering an account or utilising a promo code – especially popular if you’re looking at a sign up betting bonus – or through meeting deposit and/or bet specifications.
2. Minimum amounts
And if you need to make a deposit or bet to get started, it will very likely be subject to minimum amounts. In fact, almost every betting welcome bonus is, with the exception of a casino or sports betting no deposit bonus. Your qualifying bet may also be subject to minimum odds, as might be your use of any free bet.
3. Maximum winnings
There’ll be an upper limit to what you can win from any sort of promotion, even the most generous. This is especially important to keep in mind if you’re utilising a bookmaker sign up bonus where your initial amount is matched. Above a certain amount, you won’t be receiving any more money.
4. Payment restrictions
Unfortunately, not all online betting deposit methods can be used to activate offers. For instance, it’s fairly common for debit cards and cryptocurrencies (on the right sort of betting site) to be used to activate offers. E-wallets and prepaid cards are generally restricted from being part of the promotional process.
| Type of payment | Commonly available to use with promotions |
| Debit card | ? |
| Cryptocurrency | ? |
| E-wallet | X |
| Prepaid card | X |
5. Market restrictions
The best sports betting bonus promotions will allow you to use any bonus on as many markets as possible, with the exception of those specifically crafted for individual events.
6. Geographical restrictions
It’s vital that any promotion you opt into is not geographically restricted in your area. A list of those pesky prohibitions should be made clear in the terms and conditions.
7. Wagering requirements
For many, this is the make or break term. Often associated with free bets and common for welcome bonus sports betting promotions, it’s the amount you need to play through your winnings before they can be withdrawn. The lower, the better.
8. Time limits
Meeting all terms is usually set to a time limit, which can have a huge impact on your ability to meet those requirements. Remember to check when the clock starts ticking on your terms.
The top-rated online bookmakers in 2024
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Bet now
Get 180% (or 300% for new registrations within 7 minutes) with the first deposit (minimum $10), up to a maximum of $20,000 or an equivalent amount in other currencies. TCs apply. This offer is only available to new and eligible customers.
3.
Get 20% cashback and a $5 free bet
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The most common bookmaker bonuses explained
Hey, just a little word to let you know that the below is just scratching the surface of common types of promotion I’ve seen during my online travels. The fact is there’s few limits to what can be offered (except some legal ones). It just depends on what the site is willing to think up and give away to its lovely users. That said, most do fall under the following categories:
1. Sign up betting bonus
It’s just what it says on the tin. This is any promotion which requires you to sign up in order to receive it. Often, you’ll receive an amount based on a percentage of your first deposit and/or bet.
2. Loyalty bonus
Often, it pays to be loyal. While many offers are available to long-term users, this is specifically any kind of bonus that’s provided via a loyalty or VIP scheme, usually for betting large amounts over a long period of time.
3. Free bets
This one is as common as pigeons on London streets. This allows you to place a bet with bonus funds given to you by that betting site. You won’t receive the free bet amount, but the winning should your free bet be successful (under whatever terms are set by the site).
Any kind of bonus which offers you your stake back for an unsuccessful bet under any terms as a free bet is a second chance offer. They can also be known as refund bonuses, but they all provide another shot at winning with your stake. Acca insurance, where you receive a refund of your stake if it loses by one leg, is a common example.
5. Bet boosts
As far as the bottom line goes, there’s no bookmaker bonuses which offer value so simply. Bet boost offers better odds and that adds up to larger returns should the same bet win. They’re typically offered on popular markets.
6. Acca boost
This type of bet boost offers a specific percentage on top of your winnings – typically more based on the number of selections you make.
Beyond the betting welcome bonus: Making the most of your betting offers
Making the most of promotions largely comes down to simple reasoning. You should know now what most promotions look like, and what terms to look out for. And, if anything isn’t clear, that’s the sign of bad bookmaker bonuses, and you should look elsewhere.
However, advertisements can easily cloud any of the best betting tactics, so I’ve devised these five super duper handy tips to help you keep a level head:
Go for those which work naturally with how you bet
The absolute best sports betting bonus for me is one which allows me to bet as I do anyway and get rewarded for it. The closer the terms allow you to do this, the more fuss-free a promotional experience you’ll have. Plus, if you’re just a regular player not spending heaps of cash, this is always a sign of quality terms.
Don’t stray from your strategy
It can be a good thing that a bonus might highlight certain markets you may have overlooked otherwise. But, if you’re convinced of one market, don’t be swayed by another. For instance, if one team has a bet boost that looks generous but you believe the other side will win, standing by your conviction is always the most satisfying option.
Sign up for as many potential avenues of promotions as you can
If you want the best promotions, check out as many promo codes as you can, sign up for the email mailing list, and check the bonus page. Many of the finest promos – even when it comes to betting sites with sign up offers – come and go quickly. So, pay attention to avoid missing out and sign up to any additional avenues you can. Furthermore, remember you can use bonuses on as many sites as you want. Be as greedy as you like.
Don’t neglect the community-based offers
Things like competitions and raffles don’t seem to get as much attention as welcome bonus sports betting or free bets. And I think that’s a shame. They can offer great value and, on top of that, provide a sense of community. Plus, they can be very creative and rewarding. If you haven’t before, certainly consider them.
Always walk away from unreasonable terms
Unlike the monsters under your bed, bad terms and conditions are very much lurking out there. Some quite literally want thousands of dollars worth of bets to unlock a small amount of winnings. Plus, any terms which don’t work with how you like to play are never worth it. If that’s the case, always walk away.
Conclusion: The best sports betting bonus can make your casino experience better
Considering how vast and often high quality top promotions can be, I think there’s one out there for every kind of betting fan. If you bet regularly, there’s loyalty offers. On the other end of the scale, there’s bet boosts which can be enjoyed by even the most casual of users. Of course, not all betting offers are created equal and you must always be vigilant, but be open minded too.
Get off to the best start with our top betting bonuses for 2024
1.
200% up to $2000
Requirements (WR): 40x (Bonus + Deposit), Min. Deposit: $50
2.
300% up to $20000
Requirements (WR): 40x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Get 180% (or 300% for new registrations within 7 minutes) with the first deposit (minimum $10), up to a maximum of $20,000 or an equivalent amount in other currencies. TCs apply. This offer is only available to new and eligible customers.
3.
Get 20% cashback and a $5 free bet
Min. Deposit: $10
4.
100% up to 100€
Requirements (WR): 5x Bonus, Min. Deposit: 10€
5.
100% up to $100
Requirements (WR): 5x Deposit
Best sports betting bonus – FAQs
?How do you typically activate a sports bonus?
This entirely depends on the promotion in question. Really, there’s not much stopping a site from asking for all kinds of weird and wacky ways to activate an offer, but some are more common than others. You may have to deposit or bet a certain amount, meet loyalty requirements, use a promo code, or simply register for the site, as some common examples.
Well, for starters, typically most promotions have a one person per bonus rule, so you can’t use the majority of offers as many times as you want. There’ll also likely be some restricted payment methods (e-wallets, for instance, are typically not allowed), and there may also be restrictions on which markets an offer can be used on. Some bonuses may not be available in your area. All of this should be made clear in the terms and conditions.
??I don’t want to bet much. Is there a bonus for me?
Absolutely. I understand that many promotions, even objectively competitive ones, might not be suitable for the more casual player. Wagering requirements often mean large sums must be bet before any benefits can be enjoyed. However, some free bets come with very reasonable terms, and things like bet boost provide benefits just for betting on select markets.
