The ups and downs of claiming a sportsbook sign up bonus…
- Tons of offers to choose from
- Test-out a new sportsbook
- Claim free bets or bet insurance
- Unlock your bonus fast
- Cheeky T&Cs could catch you out
So… What makes sports betting sign up bonuses so great?
I was pretty clear in my intro that
new user bonus
offers are often the cream of the crop when it comes to what bookmakers have to offer bonus-wise. And I wasn’t kidding, either – iGaming sites get ultra-competitive when it comes to trying to attract new bettors to their sites. For this reason, the kinds of offers they advertise to first-timers tend to be gloriously generous.
In their efforts to turn heads, you’ll see brands offering-up the likes of:
- Free bets on specific sports.
- “Bet insurance” when your bets lose.
- No deposit bonuses.
- And then some.
But with so much choice out there, how can you guys tell who’s offering the best sportsbook sign up bonus? Well, first, you need to understand how the above bonus variants differ, and which might be most palatable to your personal betting tastes.
The three most common kinds of sportsbook sign up bonus offers – a closer look…
At first glance, the terms and conditions of any new customer bonus tend to look a little… well, tricky. But when you really break things down, pretty much all
online betting bonus offers
fall into one of the following three categories – and these are easier-to-understand than you might think.
So, allow me to shine the spotlight on each, and share a few tips on how you can use your next bonus to its full potential:
1. “Free bet” bonuses
I’m gonna level with you here – most bonuses out there are simply free bet offers. And if you see a free bet sportsbook sign up bonus advertised, you can pretty much expect the promotion to do exactly what it says on the tin – it’ll grant you some free bets.
However, as is the case with any bonus, T&Cs are always going to apply. And the most common caveats that come attatched to free bet bonuses, are:
- Wagering requirements.
- Time limitations.
- Restrictions on odds and games.
Allow me to illustrate using an example. Let’s say you claim a $50 free bet bonus that’s advertised with “4x wagering requirements”. This means your initial $50 will need to be played through at least four times on eligible sports games before you can cash out.
On closer inspection, you spot in the small print that “all wagering must be completed within seven days”, too. This is a time limitation – and means you’ll need to hit those 4x wagering requirements within that timeframe. Perhaps some
sports betting promo codes
need to be entered to claim the offer, too.
Finally, imagine the T&Cs stipulate that your free bets are only valid on baseball. And on odds of 2.0 or greater. These are what we call odds and game restrictions – and you’ll need to abide by them if you don’t want to invalidate your bonus. Got that? Good. Let’s move on….
2. “Bet insurance” offers
Every once in a while, you might see betting sites with a sign up bonus that’s promoted as being “risk free” or offering “bet insurance”. Now, these offers work a little differently.
Basically, rather than receiving free bet tokens up-front, i.e., the second you claim your sports betting sign up bonus, a bet insurance offer will require you to:
- Put down a cash bet first.
- Wait for it to settle.
- Potentially receive your bonus afterwards.
How it works is simple. Let’s say you deposit $20 and then wager that $20 on Real Madrid to win in an upcoming La Liga soccer game. If Los Blancos ace it, that’s great. But if they don’t, your “bet insurance” offer will cover your loss, basically by awarding you a free $20 bet token for your trouble.
So, it’s a little different than a regular sports betting sign up bonus, then. Playing the waiting game to unlock your free bets won’t be everyone, of course, but I believe these kinds of offers are a great fit for first-time bettors; particularly any of you who might be a bit anxious about dropping your first bet.
One thing both free bet and bet insurance bonuses usually have in common is that you’ll need to make a cash deposit to get your hands on the promotional goodies on offer. But if ever you see a sportsbook sign up bonus advertised with “no deposit requirement”, these super-special promotions don’t need one. With these offers:
- No up-front deposit is needed
- Bonus bets are usually credited instantly
- T&Cs can be extra-tricky
Basically, as a sportsbook sign up bonus with no deposit requirement is essentially free at the point of claiming, you guys can probably expect stricter terms when it comes to things like wagering requirements and time limitations.
It’s also common as mud that a no deposit bonus will only be playable on one specific game or match, as opposed to being compatible with, say, any baseball game of your choosing, or any NHL fixture. But remember, you’re getting your bonus for free here, so it isn’t all bad news.
Meet our recommended bookies!
1.
250,000 Gold Coins + 12 Sweeps Coins
Players from United States of America accepted
2.
100% Match up to $49.99 + FREE 5000 Coins and 1.00 Fliff Cash
+ 100 Fliff Cash
Players from United States of America accepted
3.
100% match up to $25 in Coins + $3 Free Coins
Players from United States of America accepted
4.
Daily Rewards up to 10k VC$
Players from United States of America accepted
5.
–
Players from United States of America accepted
Best Alternative
Go to Sportzino
Which betting sites with sign up bonuses are best?
Well… Now you guys know all about the three kinds of bonuses most commonly offered, you’re in the best possible position to decide.
The banners on this page display the latest and greatest bonuses that are legally available in your region, and unless you’re living somewhere where online sports betting is outright prohibited, chances are you’ll see a delightful mix of free bet, bet insurance and no deposit promos up-for-grabs.
Of course, it’s completely on you to decide what kind of sports betting sign up bonus is going to work best for your betting style. But equally, I’m here to help, and I really want to make sure you guys make a decision that feels right. So, read on for some expert tips.
How to choose the best sportsbook sign up bonus to suit you…
With several bonus flavors potentially on the table, each with their own unique pros and cons to consider, I totally get it if you still feel a bit stumped. But if you’re not 100% sure what type of bonus to roll with, simply ask yourself the following questions before comparing the offers promoted in my banners:
1. What kind of bettor am I?
Been betting for years? Or are you new to the game entirely? As I said before, bet insurance bonuses tend to be a good fit for newbies for obvious reasons. Conversely, if you’re more experienced than that, you’ll probably be better equipped to handle the pressure of a higher-wagering, more restrictive no deposit bonus, right? Think about things like:
- Your experience level
- What kinds of bets you enjoy
- Your tolerance for tight limits
2. Which sports markets do I want to bet on? And are they local, or international?
As we’ve seen, sportsbook sign up bonuses and free bets are often restricted to certain markets. Make sure you can play your bonus on your favorite sports – and consider the importance of time zones, too. If you’re in the US or Canada but betting on UK Premier League soccer, for example, you might want to claim a bonus with a brand that offers 24/7 customer assistance, just on the off chance you need them out-of-hours.
3. What kind of deposit am I prepared to drop?
Unless you’ve landed a no deposit bonus, you’re probably going to need to fork out some cash to get your hands on those free bets. Deposit bonuses will always require you to put down an initial deposit that exceeds a certain qualifying amount (which could potentially range from $10 to $100), so make sure you’re happy with the threshold before signing-up.
How to claim a sportsbook sign up bonus
Of course, once you’ve found that ideal bonus, you need to grab a hold of it with both hands. Especially if there’s an expiry date on the horizon, or if there are rumours the offer will be withdrawn or replaced in the near future.
The good news? Activating most sportsbook bonuses is beautifully simple. Just follow these steps:
| Step 1 | Visit the betting brand’s website, locate the ad for their latest newbie promo, and click it. |
| Step 2 | A pop-out window usually appears inviting you to sign-up. Fill out the relevant sections, and enter any required promo codes. |
| Step 3 | Once you’ve created an account, use a reputable payment method like MasterCard or Neteller to make a deposit. Remember qualifying amounts here. |
| Step 4 | When the deposit clears, you should get your free bets. Remember to wager them as many times as stated – and don’t lose sight of any time or game restrictions, either. |
| Step 5 | Once you’ve satisfied all the T&Cs, go right on ahead and cash out. |
Final thoughts – seize the right sports betting sign up bonus for you
With three wildly different kinds of bonuses commonly rolled out by today’s hottest betting sites, it’s vital you know the lay of the land and have the knowledge necessary to pick the right kind of offer to suit you. Throughout this guide, I’ve done my utmost to unpack how free bet bonuses, bet insurance and no deposit promos work, and now, it’s on you to do the rest.
In my banners on this page, you’ll see sportsbook sign up bonuses displayed from what I feel are the market’s very best betting sites in your region. But ultimately, only you can decide which one is going to sit nicely with your usual online betting approach and strategy. Happy betting.
Our favorite sportsbook bonuses
1.
250,000 Gold Coins + 12 Sweeps Coins
Players from United States of America accepted
2.
100% Match up to $49.99 + FREE 5000 Coins and 1.00 Fliff Cash
+ 100 Fliff Cash
Players from United States of America accepted
3.
100% match up to $25 in Coins + $3 Free Coins
Players from United States of America accepted
4.
Daily Rewards up to 10k VC$
Players from United States of America accepted
5.
–
Players from United States of America accepted
Best Alternative
Go to Sportzino
Sports betting sign up bonus FAQ
🎁 How do I get my hands on a sports betting bonus?
Simple – compare the market to find bookmaker bonuses available in your region, then simply sign-up with whichever provider catches your eye. When claiming, you might need to enter a promo code and make a qualifying deposit. My guides here reveal how this all works.
👀 Are free bet bonuses worth it?
Certainly. But of course, it definitely pays to understand how free bet bonuses work, and to play strategically once they’ve been awarded to you. Discover more about the ins and outs of sports betting sites now.
🔎 Can I get free spins with sports betting sites?
Sometimes…. But for obvious reasons, this only applies when the sportsbook in question doubles-up as an online casino. Get better acquainted with the hottest online casinos in your region now.
