How to do Bookmaker Bonuses Work
To start, you need to know how a sports betting bonus will boost your budget, hence your winning chances. When you join a bookmaker and make your first deposit, you will have the option to claim an offer that will enhance your bankroll by a significant percentage. That can vary from 25% – 200%.
In simple words, you will have more money to place bigger bets or bet in more events. However, certain conditions can make a bookmaker bonus a good or a bad choice. Every promotion comes with certain requirements that you need to fulfill if you want to withdraw your winnings.
Furthermore, there is no one-size-fits-all all offer. Freebet offers will have a lower amount but looser requirements than a 100% welcome bonus, which will have a higher amount of funds but stricter conditions. Bookmakers place great importance on sportsbook bonuses.
They know that a generous welcome offer will attract new players and spread the word about a good reward. It can also create a base of players that will remain loyal, giving the bookie a fair share of the market and a good reputation.
Which Sports Betting Bonuses Have the Most Value
You just finished signing up to your bookmaker and you are eager to visit the first deposit bonus section. You might expect that one welcome offer will be available but found a variety of bookmaker bonuses. That is a good thing, as long as you are well aware of each sign-up offer terms.
We are no strangers to welcome bonuses; therefore, we have prepared a detailed description of all the different types. From your standard 100% bonus to free bets or matched deposit offers and everything in between.
Welcome deposit bonus
Welcome bonuses are the most common first deposit offers a player can come across. They are the ‘’watermark’’ of each bookie and you might even see them on TV and social media commercials. The way they work is simple. Make your first deposit and the offer will increase it up to 200% (varies to the betting site).
New players benefit from a welcome deposit bonus, as an initial deposit will be enhanced significantly. Also, you will be able to place a certain amount of bets without risking your funds. Wagering requirements, however, might be on the stricter side.
Matched deposit bonus
This one is pretty straightforward and similar to a welcome offer. The bookmaker will match your first deposit up to a certain amount (like 100% up to €/£100). What makes a matched deposit bonus a good choice is that the minimum deposit can be lower and the wagering requirements looser than a typical sign-up bonus.
Free Bet Offer
One of the most sought-after types is the freebet offers. It comes in many variants such as risk-free, Deposit X – Get X, and no deposit. With risk-free bets, you place your bet and get your stake refunded to you if your bet loses.
With a Deposit X – Get X bonus, you make a deposit and get a predetermined amount of free bet. A good example is Deposit €/£10 – Get €/£20. A no deposit freebet does not require you to deposit, to get bonus funds. Such offers are quite rare today, as they attract abusers and bonus hunters.
Enhanced Odds & Profit Boost
Enhanced Odds promotions are relatively new in the market. However, they can increase your winnings significantly. For example, a sportsbook might give a player higher odds to score first in a football match. Or if both teams score over 3.5 goals in another game.
That means that you can bet the same money but have a higher return, should your bet be won. This kind of offer has become extremely popular lately and most bookmakers offer enhanced odds on several markets daily.
Mobile sports betting bonus
More than 60% of betting activity goes through on a smartphone today. Bookies could not lag; hence more and more exclusive mobile betting offers appear. If you sign up using the bookmaker’s app, you will have the opportunity to claim a mobile bonus only, which can be more profitable than a desktop one.
Moreover, all desktop bonuses are available on the apps as well, so players can use every promotion on the road.
How to Avoid Losing Your Bookmaker Bonus
As we mentioned above, not every bonus is created equal. Certain factors vary among sportsbooks and can drive your profits up or down. It is paramount that you are familiar with common terms such as wagering and the minimum deposit to tricky ones like extensive KYC and withdrawal restriction. Note that the terms usually differ between bonuses and ongoing bookmaker promotions.
Common Sportsbook Bonus Terms
Many players do not pay attention to terms and conditions when they sign up to a sportsbook or claim a bonus. That is careless, as they play a pivotal role when your money is on the line.
- One account per user/IP is allowed: This one is pretty straightforward. Do not attempt to open another account in the same sportsbook and claim a bonus.
- Wagering requirements: Each sports deposit bonus is subject to rollover a certain amount of times (between 5x and 20x) before you can withdraw your winnings. Furthermore, you need to roll over your initial deposit once before asking for a payout.
- Min Odds & Selections: Every market you choose for your bet should be above a predetermined value. The range in most sportsbooks is between 1.50 and 2.00. Total selections on your bet slip, matter too. Usually, you should include between 1-3 selections.
- Minimum deposit: Before you claim the offer, you have to make a qualifying deposit first. This can be as low as €/£5 or €/£10, while some welcome offers might start at €/£1.
- Accepted and restricted payment methods: Several betting sites have restricted wallets such as Skrill and Neteller from claiming promotions. The reason is that they attract abusers. Most sportsbooks will credit the welcome bonus, should you deposit with a credit/debit card or PayPal.
- Max winnings: Some bookies will have a capped withdrawable winnings limit. That means that regardless of how much you win, you will be able to withdraw the upper limit allowed by your sportsbook.
- Market restrictions: Several markets do not count in wagering bets that have been cashed out, voided, or canceled. Moreover, restrictions might include specific sports, leagues, and live bets.
- Expiration date: Keep an eye on the date that your sports betting bonus expires. This can usually be between 7 to 30 days. In some cases, though, the time frame can be as low as 3 days.
- Max stake per bet: How much you can bet on each market or bet slip might be capped. This applies to discourage bonus hunters and arbitrage bettors. Most of the time, it is 50% of the bonus amount. Also, many bookies have a limit on maximum odds (like 3.50).
- Country restrictions: Sign-up bonuses are not available worldwide. For example, Eastern European countries might be excluded. Always consult the terms and conditions to see the list of restricted countries.
- Bonus code available: In some cases, you have to manually enter bookmaker promo codes such as ‘WELCOME100’ to claim exclusive or regular bonuses.
Hidden Terms on a Sports Betting Bonus
Even if you follow the rules above to the letter, there is more to be careful with. If you win a substantial amount of cash, bookies might ask for additional verification or check where you connected to the site. No worries, though, as we cover every possibility. Remember, it is always wise to check the terms and conditions or contact the bookie’s support team for any queries.
- Additional KYC documents: Before you ask for your first payout, you will have to complete the bookmaker KYC verification process. Usually, you only have to send a picture of your ID and a utility bill. However, some sportsbooks might ask for more documents. In most cases, a selfie holding your ID and a bank statement will be enough.
- Return deposit in case of terms violation: Nowadays, tend to be extremely strict towards abusers. If you claim a bookmaker deposit bonus and violate a term, your account will be closed and your deposit returned.
- Can you claim an offer multiple times: Most promotions have a one-time-only rule. That means that you can only claim a particular welcome bonus once. After that, you cannot use it again.
- Can you withdraw before rollover: If you ask for a payout, before completing the wagering, your bonus will likely be canceled. The good thing is that most betting sites will warn you beforehand if they have such a rule in place.
- Whose money is wagered first: Another important issue when it comes to bookmaker bonuses is if your deposit or the bonus funds are wagered first. The reason is that bonus funds are subject to several terms, while your deposit has more relaxed restrictions. It is worth noting, however, that some bookies consider your bankroll as a whole.
- Can you have 2 active bonuses: A possible conflict is when you try to claim one bonus when you have not completed the wagering in a previous one. Again, a good idea is to look at terms and conditions or ask the bookie’s support team.
- What happens if you lose your funds: Many players end up with an empty bankroll before the bonus rollover. In such a case it is up to the sportsbook if it considers the bonus as finished.
- Is one bonus per house/IP allowed: It is not uncommon for several members of a household to join a betting site to claim a welcome offer. Nevertheless, that might go against the one bonus per house/IP, that is in place in various sportsbooks. Also keep in mind to avoid public Wi-Fi networks, as you will share a common IP address.
Scam Bookmaker Bonus Practices
Like everything in life, the betting industry is not filled only with honest and sincere bookmakers. Several scammers appear that try to grab as many deposits as possible from time to time, using a bonus as bait. The good thing is that certain signs can help you identify such a gift and save your money.
⏩ Stake Limitations: After you claim your sports welcome bonus, you will want to start placing bets. However, you are baffled to find that they are not accepted unless you lower your wager to a ridiculous amount such as €/£1. On top of that, a short rollover deadline (like 3 days) has to be adhered to. This happens because it is impossible to roll over the bonus using such a low stake. Hence, the scam bookie will never have to pay out any winnings.
⏩ Wagering is not displayed: It is most important to see how much rollover is left on your bonus. An absence of such a tool does not necessarily mean a scam, but it should make you suspicious.
⏩ Non-qualifying bets: What happens in legit sportsbooks is that if you place a bet that does not satisfy the bonus terms, it is not calculated in the rollover. In shady bookies, though, it can lead to a bonus cancellation.
⏩ Amend terms after bonus is claimed: An obvious sign of a scammer is to move the goalposts, in case you win. In other words, change the terms you agreed on when he sees that you have a positive balance. Such a change should alert you that the bookmaker you are dealing with is not honest.
⏩ Non-transparent terms: Each policy that needs to be followed has to be stated clearly. Whether it is about a first deposit bonus or bet settlement, the rules that apply should be easy to understand without insinuations.
What Sportsbook Bonus Should I Choose?
It is only normal to pick the bonus that gives the highest amount of money. As we examined though, this is not the only factor that matters. A close view of the hidden terms is mandatory if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises.
The biggest bookmakers in the world and good retention programs will offer more relaxed terms when it comes to a sports betting welcome bonus. The reason is that it knows that the player is likely to stay long-term and return with regular deposits.
On the other hand, a sportsbook with a below-average product will have stricter requirements. As the player is unlikely to return after he spends the welcome offer, it wants to safeguard profits. Major red flags are extensive KYC required, stake limitations, and false claims for duplicate accounts.
All in all, a 100% deposit bonus up to €/£100 is a good place to start. Anything less than an 8x rollover with minimum odds of 2.00 and lower is a sign of a legit bookmaker. As long as you pay attention to hidden terms, you will have a good shot at more winnings.
