Welcome Bonus

Key Features of Welcome Bonuses

• Deposit Match

  The most common type of welcome bonus is a deposit match. This means the sportsbook will match a percentage of the player's initial deposit, increasing the amount they have to bet with. For example, if a 100% deposit match bonus were given, bettors would have twice the amount of their initial deposit to bet with.

• Free Bets

  Some sportsbooks offer free bets as a welcome bonus. These are bets that you can place without the risk of losing your own money. If the bet does win, then typically, you will be able to keep the winnings minus stake money.

• Risk-Free Bets

  Another typical type of welcome bonus is the risk-free bet. Here, if your first bet loses then the sportsbook will refund it in bonus funds, up to an agreed amount. This allows you to place your opening bet without fear of losing your initial stake.

How to Receive a Welcome Bonus for Sports Betting

Receiving a welcome bonus is a pretty straightforward process. Bettors just need to make sure they read the terms and conditions laid out for the bonus. Here's what you need to do in order to get started:

• Choose a Reputable Sportsbook

  It is important to select a sportsbook that has a good reputation and is fair and reliable. It shouldn't solely be based on its welcome bonus offer.

• Sign Up for an Account

  Complete the registration process by providing your personal information and creating a username and password.

• Make Your First Deposit

  Deposit funds into the account of your chosen sportsbook using an accepted deposit method. Please note that you may need to deposit a certain minimum amount in order to qualify for the welcome bonus.

• Enter Any Required Promo Code

  Some sportsbooks will ask you to enter a bonus code or promo code when you sign up with them to redeem a bonus. Enter the bonus code when prompted during the signup process.

• Receiving The Bonus

  The welcome bonus will then be credited to your account. After this, you can use it to place a bet on your choice of the sportsbook's available markets.

How to Sign Up for Welcome Bonuses

Signing up for that welcome bonus takes just a few simple steps, which may vary depending on the sportsbook.

• 1

  Visit the Sportsbook Website

  Go to the homepage of the sportsbook that offers the welcome bonus you want.

• 2

  Register for a New Account

  Click on the register button or sign up link, then fill in all required information, such as name, email address, date of birth, and contact information.

• 3

  Verify Your Identity

  Some sportsbooks may ask you to provide copies of identification documents at this stage. These could include a driver's license and/or passport.

• 4

  Make Your Initial Deposit

  Select a payment method before making your first deposit. And remember to check that your deposit meets the minimum deposit requirement for the welcome bonus. Otherwise your deposit will not qualify.

• 5

  Enter the Promo Code

  If a promo code is required, it should be entered when you are prompted to do so. This will release your welcome bonus.

• 6

  Claim Your Bonus

  Once your deposit is confirmed, the bonus will be credited to your account.

The Most Popular Types of Welcome Bonuses

Sportsbooks will offer a variety of welcome bonuses at different times. These are the most popular welcome bonuses bettors may come across.

• Matched Deposit Bonus

  The sportsbook matches a percentage of your first deposit, typically around 100%. Matched deposit bonuses are usually capped at a certain amount. So if the sportsbooks bonus says 100% deposit matches up to $300 and you deposit $400, you would only get $300 in bonus funds.

• No Deposit Bonus

  A small bonus is given after signing up, with no deposit required.

• Free Bets

  Upon making your first deposit or placing a first bet, you are given a free bet or series of free bets.

• Risk-Free Bet

  For your first bet, the sportsbook offers you a risk-free bet. If you lose, your initial stake will be returned to you in the form of a bonus.

• Enhanced Odds

  Using this type of bonus, your first bet offers large multiples of the normal odds at any one time, potentially resulting in higher returns.

Pros of Welcome Bonuses

Sportsbooks offer welcome bonuses as a popular incentive for attracting new bettors, with each new bonus bringing fresh rewards. Here are some of the pros that you will find with welcome bonuses at online sports books:

• Bigger Bankroll

  With a welcome bonus, you have more cash to bet with. This increases your total and gives you more chances to place bets and enter various sports betting markets.

• Reduced Risk

  When you use bonus funds and bet, it's not your own money at stake. You can try all sorts of new strategies or bets without fear of losing your own money.

• Better Experience

  By providing a bonus, sportsbooks add a touch of excitement to players' initial betting experiences.

Cons of Welcome Bonuses

As with every type of gambling there are pros and cons. Of course, welcome bonuses can give you a risk-free way to try out different bets, but they usually come with conditions bettors have to meet. Only by weighing up the good and bad of a welcome bonus can you make an informed choice and get value for money while avoiding pitfalls.

• Wagering Requirements

  Most welcome bonuses come with wagering requirements (meaning you have to wager your initial bet x times before you can withdraw any winnings). This can make it a long and sometimes expensive process.

• Time Limits

  Most welcome bonuses come with an expiry date. You must meet any requirements within a certain amount of time, or your bonus will be forfeited.

• Betting Restrictions

  Sportsbooks and casinos may impose limits on what type of bet you can place with bonus funds, restricting your opportunities.

• Deposit Requirements

  Most welcome bonuses require that you make an initial deposit at a certain minimum amount.

Welcome Bonus Terms & Conditions

If you want to use a bonus offer, understanding the terms and conditions is essential. You will come across some of these common terms as follows in the section below:

• Wagering Requirements

  This is the amount of money you will need to bet before withdrawing any profits made from using a bonus. For example, if there is a x10 wagering requirement and you bet $100, you would need to wager $1000 in order to cash out any winnings.

• Minimum Odds

  Some sportsbooks require that your bets must be placed at a specified minimum odds in order to count as fulfilling the wagering requirements. Be sure you know these odds.

• Time Limits

  Most welcome bonuses require you to fulfill the wagering requirements within a set period of time. Failure to do so can result in losing the bonus and any associated winnings.

• Betting Restrictions

  For example, certain kinds of bets, such as accumulator bets or wagers on specific markets may not qualify for fulfilling the wagering requirements on a particular bonus.

• Bonus Code

  If a bonus code is required in order to get the welcome bonus, make sure and put it in correctly when signing up and depositing your money.

• Eligible Markets

  Some bonuses may be restricted to certain games or sports only. Make sure the events on which you wish to bet are eligible for bonuses.

Common Payment and Deposit Methods for Welcome Bonuses

In order to enjoy a welcome bonus, making a deposit is almost always necessary--but which payment methods are accepted? Here are some of the most popular choices:

• Debit Cards / Credit Cards

  Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard, as well as other major credit/debit card providers, are widely accepted for depositing funds. You can expect a quick process with high security. The money goes right into your account, and you can start betting straight away.

• E-wallets

  E-wallets like PayPal, Skrill and Neteller are popular because of features such as fast processing time and reasonable costs. This kind of digital wallet provides you with a safe way of transferring and has become increasingly popular over the last few years. E-wallets are particularly popular among individuals who value prompt transactions and quick access to their funds.

• Bank Transfer

  Direct bank transfers offer a secure means of deposit, although they may have a longer processing time. Bank transfers are slower than using credit cards or e-wallets but provide high levels of security. They are a good option for individuals who value traditional banking systems.

• Cryptocurrencies

  These days, many sportsbooks accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum as depositing options. They have quick processing times and more private banking experiences. Bettors who prize anonymity and decentralized transactions find that using cryptocurrencies works well. This method is becoming more common for sportsbooks as a greater number of bookmaking institutions begin to accept digital currencies.