Bookmakers use welcome bonuses to attract new customers to their platforms. These promotions, though, do not only benefit the betting sites. Punters get a free gift right after signup. That way they can try the services of the bookies with risking very little of their own cash.
Welcome offer
What are welcome offers?
A good incentive for players to consider joining a new bookmaker is their set of welcome bonuses. The more signup offers there are, the better!
The bonuses upon registering are usually the most generous offers that a user can get. There is no better way for bookies to welcome their new customers than crediting them free cash to start playing with.
There are online betting websites and casinos that don’t offer any other bonuses apart from the signup offers. However, these are the exception rather than the rule. In fact, most bookmakers have a bonus campaign for their existing customers as well.
What kind of welcome bonuses are there?
The new account offers vary in type. The most popular ones are the first-deposit bonuses, but there are also those that require no deposit from the players whatsoever. Let’s take a quick look at the most popular promos that are given to users upon registration:
First deposit bonuses
The majority of welcome offers are tied to your first deposit. Only after a player has topped up their account will they grab a bonus. Some of the first deposit promos require you to use a bonus code, whereas others don’t.
No deposit bonuses
The rise in demand of no deposit bonuses does not mean they are readily available. Only very few of the bookies promote such a signup reward. Usually, bookmakers with no deposit bonuses offer them immediately after you register on their website. Some of them might require you to verify your account first, though. Mind you that more often than not, a no deposit bonus will be of a very small amount.
Free bets
There are betting websites that offer a free bet to their new customers. Some operators might require you to make a deposit and even a qualifying bet first. Once you meet those conditions, you can claim your free bet. Sometimes a free bet is granted only to players who are unsuccessful with their first bet and it loses. Once again, the bonus amounts here will be rather low.
Combined sports and casino bonuses
Some welcome offers provide a combined bonus for the different sections that the operator has. For example, come promotions apply to the sportsbook and casino games at the same time. However, these offers are pretty rare as most websites prefer to have a separate bonus for each of their sections.
Can you claim more than one welcome offer?
It is often the case that a bookie will offer two or even three welcome bonuses. Whether you can activate each of these bonuses at the same time or one after the other depends on the T&Cs of the site.
Most bookies will allow you to activate only one of all signup promotions. Usually, you have the option to choose a bonus on the Cashier page while making your first deposit.
Other betting sites adopt a more generous approach. They let new players grab all welcome offers, one at a time. The reason for this being that no player can unlock a promo offer while having active bonus funds in their account.
What should we pay attention to when choosing a signup bonus?
In order to choose the right signup bonus for you, we advise you to pay attention to the following criteria:
- Minimum deposit
Check what the minimum deposit amount is needed to activate the offer. Provided you meet this qualifying condition, the bookie will match your deposit with free money. - Qualifying deposit methods
There are many bookmakers that won’t grant you a signup bonus if you use one of the non-qualifying deposit methods. Check whether there are any e-wallets and payment options you should avoid and then proceed to fund your account. - Maximum amount and percentage
Take a good look at the maximum bonus you can claim, as well as the matching percentage. In most cases, you will get a 100% bonus on your first deposit, but some websites offer either a lower or a higher match. - Bonus or promo code
There are welcome offers that become available only after you use a specific promo code. Punters are required to provide the code either upon registration or while making a deposit. - Wagering requirements
Before you can request withdrawal of your winnings, you will have to wager the bonus and deposit amount first. You have to roll over the bonus and deposit amounts a specific number of times and then you can proceed with cashing out. - Minimum odds
Pay attention to the minimum market odds that will count towards your bonus wagering requirements. - Markets to wager on
In most cases, there are certain conditions in terms of the markets that count towards your wagering requirements while you’re playing with your bonus. Due to the fact that there are various sports betting options, in most cases, you can find information about which markets do not count towards the requirements by reading the terms of the promotion. - Bonus terms
When choosing a bonus, it’s essential to check how much time you have to activate and use it. If you fail to comply with this timeframe, the bonus will be nullified, and you will lose all the winnings that you’ve made through it so far.
FAQ
Can I claim a welcome bonus if I fail to activate it with my first deposit?
Contact customer support as soon as possible. You can still salvage the situation provided you haven’t placed a bet yet.
What is the minimum sports welcome bonus amount?
Different bookmakers offer various welcome offer bonuses, so the amounts vary.
Why can’t I withdraw funds from my account if I have an active bonus?
You have to complete the wagering requirement in order to be able to withdrawal your funds. Otherwise, the bonus amount will be nullified and your winnings will become void.