Sports Betting Bonus – Find out more about American betting bonuses
Betting bonuses are a common marketing ploy by USA betting sites to entice new bettors to sign up. US sportsbooks want your custom and by giving betting bonuses; they’re willing to show you they mean business from the start.
The ultimate goal of offering betting bonuses, however, is for you to make a real money deposit with them but they can work to the advantage of US bettors. The US sports betting market is fiercely competitive, so ensuring you also stick around and continue to make your bets with them is also key to their business. This is why you will encounter many different types of sports betting bonuses throughout your betting journey. In this article, we explore the different types of betting bonuses available at USA betting sites, things you should look out for and to help you decide what kind of betting bonus is best for you.
Matched Deposit Bonus (Sign up bonus)
This is the most common type of betting bonus you will come across in the online gambling world. Deposit bonuses are given to new real money depositing customers and will match the amount that you have deposited. Here’s an example; let’s say you want to claim a matched deposit bonus of 100% up to $250 and you deposit $300. The betting site would match your deposit amount up to a maximum of $250.
No Deposit Bonuses
There are sports betting bonuses available that do not require you to make a real money deposit. These are called ‘no deposit bonuses’ and can be found at various US sportsbooks. In most cases, the free bonus will be a small denomination, usually between $5 – $50. They are perfect for those wanting to test a new sportsbook without having the need to dig deep into their pocket first. If you decide to claim a no deposit sports betting bonus, make sure you keep in mind that they come with many more restrictions and higher play-through requirements. Some online sportsbooks may authorize you to cash out your winnings from the no-deposit bonus, however, in most cases, you could be required to deposit into your account to be qualified to withdraw any funds.
Reload Bonuses
Any bookmaker you join won’t want to lose your custom to their competitors. One way to attract bettors to stick around is to offer them subsequent betting bonuses called reload bonuses. Reload bonuses aren’t a specific bonus type; they can come in several different forms. Usually, a sportsbook will determine the right fit for your betting style based on your betting history. A reload bonus could be a match deposit bonus, enhanced odds bonus, free play bonus – whatever they deem appropriate.
Enhanced Odds
Enhanced odds are a popular bonus since they’re easy to use. A betting site will choose a specific sport or event and increase the odds from regular (let’s say around 2.00 – 3.00) to 5-15 to encourage bettors to bet on a specific team. Winnings are often credited in bonus money but are still very popular. You’ll often see this type of betting bonus around large sporting events such as league finals.
Sportsbook Promo Codes
On some occasions, sportsbook promo codes or bonus codes as they’re often called, are required to allow you access to certain betting bonuses. They are less commonly used than a decade ago as many US sportsbooks have implemented high tech bonus systems to trigger bonuses automatically. However, on occasion, they may be required. Promo codes are usually required for exclusive bonuses or no deposit bonuses and are not widely available to all gamblers. If you see an exclusive sportsbook promo code, you will usually need to enter the code into a specific box at the time you make a deposit.
Loyalty Bonuses
The best US sportsbooks will offer their faithful customers ‘loyalty’ bonuses. These come in various shapes and sizes but the most common will be a points-based system. You will accumulate loyalty points based on your wager history; often you can trade-in points to get sportsbook free play bets, claim other types of bonuses or our favorite – convert into cash. The best US betting sites will always reward both winners and those on a losing streak, usually based on gameplay over a selected period of time.
Restrictions on Sports betting Bonuses
As with all most other types of gambling bonus (including poker and casino bonuses) sports betting bonuses often come with restrictions and limitations on how you can use them. For example; some offers are intended for specific sports only, such as being used on NFL games or European soccer matches.
Some betting sites limit time on how long you’ll be able to access the bonus (without making a wager). It can be anywhere from a week to 60 days. If you fail to make use of the bonus and make a wager within the time frame set out in the terms and conditions, the bonus will be canceled.
Overall, every single casino and sports betting bonus for Americans will have terms and conditions applied to them. Most importantly, they will come with wagering requirements which means you will need to fulfill mandatory play through requirements before you can cash out any winnings. As with any gambling bonus, we always recommend you to read each bonus’s full terms and conditions before you make a bet.
Best Sportsbook Bonuses 2020
If you’re looking for the latest betting bonuses, promo codes and offers then look no further than our list of the best sports betting bonuses for US players. The most reliable US bookmakers will offer a wide range of betting bonus to attract different types of sports gamblers.
As you’ll know by now, we only recommend legal US online sportsbooks on our website. When you start at a new betting site, you’ll often begin with a sign up / deposit bonus, however, our recommended top bookies will offer you regular and seasonal betting offers, as well as lucrative loyalty programs to ensure you always get something for the dollar you put in.