With online sportsbooks gaining plenty of US interest in recent years, players now find themselves in a beneficial position: Because competition for new players is so heated amongst the biggest US online sportsbooks, the welcome bonuses are getting better and better.?
Below, our experts will get you up to speed on the different forms of welcome bonuses, bonus bets and match bonuses that will come your way.
Many offers require players make an initial deposit before receiving a bonus bet; some call for players to first make a bet of their own first; a few don?t award the stake of the bet when withdrawing winnings. So it?s always good practice to read the terms and conditions of every US online sportsbook welcome offer first.
Luckily, that?s what we?re here for ? reading the fine print to help you make the most informed decision at joining an online sportsbook or casino. Currently, online sports betting is legal in 27 US states ? Massachusetts legalized on March 10. Read on for more.
Best bonus bet sportsbook offers
All our recommended sportsbooks offer some form of a bonus bet offer. You can gain access by simply clicking on our links to register an account. Let?s take a closer look at how each of the bonus bet offers work.
Best sports betting platforms
1. DraftKings Sportsbook
Bonus: $50 bonus bet + up to $1,000 on deposit
Bonus Code: Click to claim promo
In 2023, the big-brand online casino synonymous with the best in sportsbook remains DraftKings. From the best-in-class mobile application on Android and iOS to the most diverse collection of betting options ? including parlays, prop bets and futures.
DraftKings Sportsbook has everything a beginner or expert sports bettor wants. Best of all, there is no bonus code necessary to collect the DraftKings welcome bonus: Grab a $50 bonus bet with a deposit of at least $5, plus up to $1,000 deposit match bonus. No bonus or promo code needed.
DraftKings? presence in the US is not limited to online sportsbook: The fan-favorite sports betting platform is also available as a retail sportsbook in multiple states, including DraftKings Sportsbook and Resorts in Atlantic City.
2. BetMGM Sportsbook
Bonus: Up To $1,000 In Bonus Bets
Use bonus code: PLAYBONUS
When it comes to online gambling in the US, BetMGM Casino remains king. Aside from its market-leading online casino, BetMGM Sportsbook offers players an equally impressive sportsbook offering.
We could rank BetMGM Sportsbook highly for any number of reasons, including the competitive bonus and flexible betting options, but we?ll keep it simple: We know how important a generous welcome offer is to sports bettors ? and BetMGM?s bonus is tough to beat.
Enjoy up to $1,000 in bonus bets on deposit.
3. Caesars Sportsbook
Bonus: $1,250
Use bonus code: LEGALFULL
It didn?t take Caesars Sportsbook long to start drawing a crowd. As one of the top US online casinos, Caesars Casino stands out for its sportsbook action almost as much as it?s regarded for online casino play. In fact, players will be excited to see the Caesars Sportsbook app included in every download on Android, iOS and Google Play.
Caesars Sportsbook is one of the American classics: Opening in 2018, the iconic brand offers players the best VIP rewards program (Caesars Rewards) around and a top-flight welcome bonus. Using our promo code, receive up to $1,250. In addition to this, they also get 1,000 Tier Credits and 1,000 Reward Credits?.
4. FanDuel Sportsbook
Bonus: No Sweat First Bet up to $1,000
Promo Code: Click to claim promo
Play it again and again at FanDuel Sportsbook, now open for bets in NJ, PA, Michigan and WV. FanDuel is one of the most respected sportsbook operators in the US, and while FanDuel Casino has made this popular brand much more than sports, their unrivaled sports betting experience has become the choice of many US online casino players.
At FanDuel Sportsbook, players can take advantage of the famous Play It Again Bonus: Players can get their money back in the form of casino credit if they are down after 24 hours of betting. And we?re not talking chump change ? FanDuel?s welcome bonus will match up to $1,000.
How do bonuses & promos work?
Promos and bonuses sound too good to be true. Do the top sports betting sites really offer free money to their players? The simple answer is yes.
A welcome bonus is as an opportunity to place a wager without having to worry about a win or loss. When you win, collect your money – when you lose, you automatically claim your bonus bet.
There?s nearly an infinite supply of welcome bonuses available at reputable online sportsbooks. The easiest way to claim a bonus bet is to register for a new account with an online bookmaker. Reputable sports betting sites utilize promos to encourage fans to register a new account and eventually make a deposit.
Advantages of welcome bonuses
Don?t lose the boost of a welcome offer: It?s hard to characterize an online sportsbook or casino welcome bonus as anything but an advantage to the player. In fact, you?d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn?t prioritize finding the right sportsbook bonus for you.
Fact is, US online sportsbooks are willing to give you valuable sportsbook credits, match bet bonuses or money-back bets ? so don?t waste that opportunity.
Get familiar with your US online sportsbook: Besides the sportsbook bonus credit value, there are additional advantages for players to secure a welcome bonus. First, depending on the type of bonus selected, players will get an opportunity to gain familiarity with the layout of the website without putting too much purchase at stake.
In fact, a majority of the bonus funds awarded won?t risk your bottom line. However, don?t mistake these bonuses or credits for absolutely free plays. There are always restrictions attached ? and it?s important to pay attention to them.
Start working on your betting strategy: Finally, sportsbook welcome bonuses will give players the chance to start cementing a strategy to make sports bets with. Although online sportsbooks certainly carry enough luck, there are strategies that players can follow when perusing and analyzing the numbers on the board. What better time to get your feet wet than by claiming a sportsbook welcome bonus?
Disadvantages of welcome bonuses
Make sure your sportsbook is licensed: Nothing is more important to our readers than safety, security and especially regulation. That?s why we only review legalized and fully licensed US online sportsbooks and casinos.
With online casinos in a free-for-all trying to secure new players, sometimes players can get hooked by industry bad actors ? off-shore sportsbooks or online casinos.
Steer clear of any online gambling site that has not been licensed in the US ? your money is too important to you.
Beware high playthrough requirements: Unfortunately, playthrough requirements are a reality of accepting the sportsbook welcome offers coming your way. Simply put, US online sportsbooks are not in the business of losing money ? so they put a playthrough requirement (or wagering requirement) on the bonus money awarded to new players.?
Though this number varies at each sportsbook, the biggest brands tend to offer playthrough requirements between 1-50x. This is the amount you must play through your bonus money before withdrawing winnings. Always ask questions about playthrough requirements which appear abnormally high.
Double-check the terms and conditions: Whether you?re just beginning or experienced at sports betting, it?s good practice to consistently read the terms and conditions of any welcome offer, bonus or promotion you select.
Especially at online sportsbooks – which often uses the sporting calendar to draw players in – it is wise to get in the habit of knowing exactly what is in the bonuses. For example, playthrough requirements; expiration dates and other fulfillments.
Sportsbook bonus restrictions
Enjoy the welcome bonus benefits you receive when starting play at a US online sportsbook: Given the nature of online gambling and the ?house edge? sportsbooks hold over players, it?s not often you?re able to hold the upper hand. As we mentioned, most online sportsbooks are cash cows for a reason.
So while you won?t be able to miss the attractive bonus offers that are advertised during television commercials, on graphics during sporting events and displayed on billboards ? it?s best you?re aware of the strings that come attached to these online sportsbook offers.
Most importantly, when evaluating a sportsbook bonus or promotion, keep in mind:
- Know when your welcome bonus credit expires: US sportsbooks are known to put expiration dates on players to claim bonuses or redeem winnings. This is to protect the bottom line ? casinos don?t want to give players too many advantages with bonus money. Also, these time limits can force players to deposit more funds into their accounts to keep playing. As a rule of thumb, expiry dates are anywhere from one week to one month at major online sportsbooks.
- Know the minimum odds of your bet: There?s a good chance your bonus bet is restricted to certain sporting events, times or days. This can happen as the sportsbooks limit players using their bonus figures on big favorites for favorable odds. Make sure the odds of your sports bet qualifies.
- Know the betting restrictions: With a wide variation of sports bets available to bettors these days ? straight bets, parlay, props, futures ? confirm your favorite choice of sports bet is available with the welcome offer or promotion you find. Trust us, there?s nothing worse than waiting on an ineligible bonus bet. Similarly, some online casino bonuses use game weighted percentages ? slots, live dealer, roulette and blackjack may be weighed differently.
- Know the amount of your match bonus: Perhaps the easiest way to build up a playing bankroll at US sportsbooks is by maximizing the match bonus offers at your online casino. Brands consistently offer these match-ups ? oftentimes 100% or even 200% ? because the more bonus money in your pocket, the more you?re likely playing. Remember: Funds earned through match bonuses are subject to playthrough requirements.