Betting Telegraph’s Best Betting Bonuses
Betting bonuses have been around since the dawn of online bookmakers. While there are plenty of advantages to claiming these offers, there are a few things you should know before you get started. Our team of experts in the field has put together this comprehensive guide to sports betting bonuses, and by the time you make it to the end, you will be using betting bonuses like a pro.
What Are Betting Bonuses?
Sports betting bonuses are essential for online bookmakers to attract new players and keep existing players happy. They offer different kinds of advantages for betting on sports. It could be that they inflate your bankroll with bonus money, let you place bets risk-free or even for free, and they can boost the odds of a match you’re following.
When using sign-up betting bonuses, you should always take a look at the terms and conditions, which dictate who is eligible for the reward and impose limits regarding deposits, stakes, maximum payouts, odds, and other restrictions.
Types Of Sports Betting Bonuses
Before you start looking into the best betting bonuses, you need to learn which types of offers are available. The market is flooded with different sports betting bonus offers and they differ, not only in what they offer but also in who can claim them. Here are some you will inevitably come across on your online betting journey.
Welcome Deposit Bonus
As the name implies, these betting bonuses are offered to welcome new players. Essentially, they allow punters to increase their bankroll by a specific percentage, usually 100%, after making an initial deposit. Welcome offers are typically more generous than other types of bonus offers, as they are used to entice players to join the bookmaker.
Matched Deposit Bonus
This is much like the welcome bonus, as your deposit will be matched by a percentage up to a specific amount. However, since you’re already a registered bettor, the percentage will not be as high as the welcome bonus.
Free Bet Offer
Free bet bonuses are some of the most sought-after offers. All you have to do is place the bet and if it wins you get to keep the winnings. The stake goes back to the sportsbook since it was their money, to begin with. Your winnings could be paid in real money or bonus money with restrictions.
A no-deposit bonus is usually a free bet you can get for signing up with a sportsbook before you claim the welcome bonus.
Enhanced Odds and Profit Boost
These are basically two different ways of achieving the same outcome. Enhanced odds are applied before the event starts and if your bet wins you get paid more than you would if the original odds would have been kept.
A profit boost is applied to your winnings after the bet has been settled. Most often this is expressed as a percentage and could be up to 10%. Even accas can be offered with this kind of boost.
Mobile Sports Betting Bonus
Sometimes you will find bonus offers for sports betting specifically for mobile users. These offers can only be claimed by players that use the bookmaker’s app to place their wagers. They can range from betting welcome offers to regular promotions, such as free bets or enhanced odds.
Betting Telegraph’s Top 3 Best Bonuses
We’ve given you a good rundown of the sport betting bonuses you can find at top sportsbook sites, but now it’s time to get specific. At Betting Telegraph, we expertly review many online bonuses, intent on finding the cream of the crop. So, without further ado, here are our top 3 picks for the best online bonuses. Take a gander, see what each option brings to the table and pick the best deal for you.
DaVegas - THREE Welcome Offers up to ₹100,000
Enjoy betting on your favourite sports with DaVegas. Start your journey with not just one but THREE welcome offers up to ₹100,000. And if your bets aren’t successful, there’s no need to worry. You’ll have a weekly 10% cashback on any of your losses, both on sportsbook and casino.
Dafabet - 160% welcome bonus up to INR 16,000
Dafabet offers Indian sportsbook fans a first deposit bonus of up to INR 30,000. New users can choose between two bonus packages: a 160% bonus up to INR 16,000 with a 15x wagering requirement, or a 50% bonus up to INR 30,000 with a 10x wagering requirement. Deposits must be at least INR 1,000, and specific bonus codes are required during the deposit process. Certain bets, like toss markets, do not count towards the wagering requirements, and bonuses expire after 45 days.
888 Sports – Bet £10, get £30 in free bets
Another bookmaking heavyweight, 888 Sports keeps its 1 million users satisfied with all kinds of online bonuses and promotions. It’s no wonder more punters keep joining the site, with its brilliant welcome bonus. New users get no less than £30 in free bets for placing an initial wager of £10 with odds over 2/1. 888 even throws in a free £10 casino bonus, for those of you who are looking to broaden your gambling horizons.
What About The Terms And Conditions?
Reading the fine print is essential when heading for sports betting bonuses, as it will help you make the most of them. The terms and conditions state all the requirements players must meet to be eligible for rewards, and any applicable restrictions. Always keep in mind the aspects below as they can help make your online betting experience a much better one.
One Account per User or IP
Most bookmakers limit their bonus offers to one per user, household, or IP address. This is to prevent punters from exploiting bonuses and claiming the same offer multiple times. Failure to comply with this term can result in the bonus being voided and the player’s account being suspended.
Wagering Requirements
The wagering requirements determine the number of times players must wager the bonus amount after winning a sports bet. For instance, punters who receive a £100 bonus with a wagering requirement of 30x must wager £3,000 before withdrawing their bonus winnings.
Minimum Odds and Number of Selections
Virtually all offers come with stipulations on the minimum odds that must be bet on for it to be valid. Any bet on odds lower than the minimum requirement will not count for the offer to be valid or for it to count toward possible wagering requirements. Minimum odds are also applied to each selection of an acca.
Minimum Deposit
Unless you are using free bet bonuses, you will have to add funds to your account. You will need to deposit, at least, the minimum amount to qualify for these sports betting bonuses. The minimum amount varies according to the bookmaker you choose.
Payment Methods Accepted
The best way to ensure that your payment method can be used to claim bonuses for sports betting is to read the terms and conditions for each offer. Not all payment methods are valid for this. For instance, many bonuses cannot be claimed if you are using an e-wallet like PayPay, Skrill, or Neteller. The same often applies to prepaid cards like Paysafe and certain debit cards.
Maximum Winnings
You may come across offers with maximum winnings capped at a specific amount. This is to safeguard against bets with little to no risk for the player while the potential winnings are massive. An acca with odds of 5000/1 and a stake of £1 puts the bookie at a greater risk than the punter for example. Yes, the chances of any bet at 5000/1 are small, but it could happen.
Market Restrictions
It is not uncommon to see bonus offers with market restrictions. There are bookmakers that only allow players to use these bonuses when wagering on certain sports. Additionally, you may find limits regarding the bet type – single, acca, outright, or permutation.
Expiration Date
One aspect you should pay attention to is the expiration date. Nearly all bonuses have time limits for players to use their free bets or to complete the wagering requirements. If your bonus expires, it will automatically be forfeited.
Maximum Stake per Bet
There are also restrictions regarding the maximum stake allowed. For free bets, the amount is typically equal to the bet’s value. Bets over the maximum stake will not count toward completing the bonus wagering requirements.
Country Restrictions
Different countries have different sign-up bonuses for betting. Always ensure you have registered at the right site before attempting to claim a bonus. For example, many sports betting offers in the UK may not be available at other locations, and vice-versa.
Hidden Terms
In addition to the most common terms and conditions, you may find other rules and requirements when using bonuses from betting sites. Learning about these can be extremely helpful, especially if you land a bet with an enormous payout.
Additional KYC Documents
To prevent fraud, bookmakers will ask for additional identity verification once players complete the welcome offer for betting, and request a withdrawal. The most commonly requested documents include a picture of your ID, proof of address, and proof of payment method, such as a bank statement.
Return Deposit
Being allowed to request a return is mandatory in certain jurisdictions. Players usually request a return if the bookmaker does not live up to expectations or is unfair. The terms and conditions will let you know the requirements to be eligible for a return.
Still, do not be surprised if your request is denied because of international money laundering laws and regulations.
Claiming an Offer Multiple Times
Most of the time, bookmakers will not let you claim an offer more than once. However, there are some exceptions, like in the cases of regular and seasonal promotions. Even though you may be able to claim these offers more than once, it is important to note you can only have one promotion active at a time.
Withdrawal before Completing the Requirements
Bookmakers licensed by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) are legally required to let players withdraw before completing the bonus requirements. Be advised that doing so will automatically forfeit your bonus funds.
The Money that is Wagered first
Real money is always wagered first at UK-licensed bookmakers. This way, players can request a withdrawal and forfeit their sports betting bonus if they manage to win using their deposit. We recommend being careful, as some bookies do not allow withdrawals without using the bonus funds first.
Activating two Bonuses
Most bookmakers only allow players to activate one bonus at a time. Make sure you read the terms and conditions before getting started to check for potential compatibility issues with free betting bonuses.
What If A Bonus Looks Too Good?
You know the old saying: “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is”. Unfortunately, this is often also true when it comes to online bookmakers. Here are some typical scams you can find at unlicensed and fraudulent bookies. We’ve also included some suggestions on how to avoid these.
Stake Limit
Deceitful bookmakers will not inform you about the maximum stake until it is too late. Therefore, always ensure you know how much you are allowed to bet before getting started. If the information is not available, avoid claiming that bonus.
Wagering requirements are not displayed
Some fraudulent bookmakers avoid mentioning wagering requirements, so players think their sports betting bonuses are not subject to these conditions. Proceed with caution if your chosen bookmaker does not present its wagering requirements, or just don’t proceed at all.
Non-qualifying bets
Qualifying bets are commonplace in online sports wagering, however, dishonest bookies avoid letting punters know about the minimum odds and selections allowed. As such, if you end up in this situation, you will not be able to claim your winnings.
Terms are Amended After the Bonus is Claimed
Shady bookmakers avoid paying their customers by amending the terms after players claim a bonus. The rules are changed without informing punters, so at that point, it will be too late to complete the requirements.
Non-Transparent Bonus Terms
Some fraudulent bookmakers avoid mentioning wagering requirements, so players think their sports betting bonuses are not subject to these conditions. Proceed with caution if your chosen bookmaker does not present its wagering requirements, or just don’t proceed at all.
Our Thoughts on Online Sports Betting Bonuses
It is undeniable that bonuses are a fantastic way to attract new punters to the world of online sports betting and keep existing players on board. However, completing the wagering requirements can be tricky, so it’s always important to read the T&Cs carefully. One of the ways to improve your odds is by sticking to the best betting bonuses and taking your time to compare the offers that other online bookmakers have. It also won’t hurt if you check out our news section on a more regular basis to make sure you’re always on top of your game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A sports betting bonus is an offer designed to be used at an online bookmaker. It can give an advantage by boosting players’ account balances, improving their odds, or offering them free bets. They are offered to entice new players to join the bookmaker and to help keep existing players wagering there.
There are several ways to claim betting bonuses for sports. A bonus could be part of registering your account, making a deposit, using a bonus code, or opting in. Bonus codes are a string of characters players can type in a special field during registration to unlock an offer. Alternatively, some bookies require players to opt in for bonuses by checking a box during the signing-up process.
You can only withdraw your bonus after completing the offer’s requirements. Some bookmakers allow punters to withdraw their deposit before completing the requirements, voiding any potential winnings from the welcome bonus.
It depends. Some bookies require a bonus code to claim an offer, others do not.
It really comes down to what suits best for the types of sports bets you make. You may prefer risk-free bets or free bets on sports you are not too familiar with, while bets on football could be placed with bonus money.
Yes. We think so. The positives outweigh the negatives in our opinion. However, make sure you know what the wagering requirements are and the rules for withdrawing.
Choosing the best sign-up bonuses for betting on sports is more complex than it looks. In our opinion, Betfair’s bonuses are among the best in the business. The bookmaker offers a £30 free bet to players who deposit and bet £10 on odds over 2/1.