Just like any industry, the world of online gambling is competitive. There are a wide variety of features and capabilities that differentiate one site from the next. But online gambling bonuses might be the biggest draw.
Whether it’s a sportsbook, online casino, poker site, horse racing platform, or fantasy sports site, customers look for the best value. It starts with sign up bonuses, which customers get as soon as they register for an account.
After that, online gambling sites have to give customers a reason to stick around. That’s where ongoing bonuses and loyalty programs come in.
At American Gambler, we have gathered all of the top sign up bonuses, so you can see what all of the best betting sites have to offer. Now, we will go over all of the different kinds of online gambling bonuses you will find and what they mean, giving you a better idea of how to use them.
Types of Sign Up Bonuses
First thing is first, and that is claiming a sign up bonus. On our site, you can look to see what your state offers. All of the gambling apps we have are completely legal to use.
In our gambling site reviews, we go over how you can secure the welcome offer. Some require promo codes, while others just have specific terms and conditions you need to follow.
As the industry develops, gambling sign up bonuses are becoming more creative. But, there are a few types of online gambling bonuses that you will see used most often.
Deposit Match
A deposit match sign up bonus will depend on your deposit. This bonus can be 100% of your deposit, or just 20%. But the main value lies in the playthrough requirements.
For example, let’s say there is a 100% deposit match and you deposit $100. The gambling site would give you an additional $100 in bonus money.
That bonus has to meet the wagering requirements before you can withdraw. This is where it can be very different for a sportsbook versus an online casino. A sportsbook will often have just 1X playthrough requirements, but online casinos can have up to 20X playthrough requirements.
If an online casino has 20X playthrough requirements, you have to wager 20X your bonus in order to withdraw any winnings. The lower the wagering requirements – the better!
Bonus Bet
A bonus bet is usually associated with sportsbooks, but it can be offered for casinos too.
For a sportsbook, you get your first bet back in bet credit if your don't win. If it loses, you get a bonus of the same amount. This bonus has to be wagered, but any winnings are cash.
Online casinos sometimes offer bonus play for a certain amount of time, such as 24 hours after signing up. Your losses are recouped, but that bonus money has to meet the playthrough requirements.
No Deposit Bonus
A no deposit bonus is just how it sounds. Online gambling platforms want to show off features, and some are willing to give you bonus money to try it out.
Since no deposit is required, these online gambling bonuses aren’t that high in value. Oftentimes, they are around $20 in value, but it gets you betting or playing casino games without risking a cent of your own money.
It's most common to see these during the launch of a new state. For instance, in 2023, Kentucky sports betting promos might feature them.
Free Spins
Free spins are only offered for online casinos and are often paired with a deposit match.
Usually, an online casino will provide free spins for a particular slot. It can be the most popular, or a new slot that the casino wants to promote.
Ongoing Bonuses & Betting Promotions
The best gambling sites will still provide a range of promotions to use after you have used the sign up offer. Go to the promotions page of the site or app to see what bonuses are active.
Here are some of the most common online gambling bonuses that are offered to current customers.
Reload Bonus
Reload bonuses are a lot like deposit matches but are offered for current customers. Instead of being 100% matches, they are usually a little less.
Some gambling sites have reload bonuses every week on a certain day, such as Fridays. It’s the key time to fund your account.
Refer-a-Friend
Here is an easy way to get bonus money. Have a friend who has yet to sign up for the gambling site you use? It probably has a referral bonus you can use.
Simply send a link to your friend to sign up. As soon as they deposit, you will get a bonus.
Boosted Odds
The best sportsbooks will have plenty of boosted odds, especially for local teams.
Let’s say the Yankees have -110 odds of winning. A sportsbook could add a boost and make the odds +100, which will increase your winnings if the bet hits. Boosted odds will be on the main page of the betting site.
Insurance/Cash Back
We talked about bet credits, and insurance bonuses are a lot similar. The most common insurance promos are for parlays.
A parlay insurance bonus will give you a refund if you hit every leg except for one, which is always the worst part of losing parlay.
A casino can offer cash back or insurance for a game, such as Blackjack. The amount you lose over a period of time will be given back in bonus money.
Prize Giveaways
Gambling sites will offer prize giveaways, ranging from hotel stays to tickets to big games.
Sportsbooks will often have prize giveaways that have to do with local sports teams. You can win season tickets to your favorite NFL team or even jerseys.
Top Sites with Online Gambling Bonuses
On our site, you can go through tons of gambling operators that are live in multiple states. The best gambling site for you will depend on what you are looking for, and that is where our reviews can help.
Here are some of the best sites with online gambling bonuses.
Caesars
We have sign up a Caesars promo code bonus for Caesars Sportsbook. It is one of the top-rated gambling apps in the US.
The platform offers a bet credit of up to $1,250 back if your first bet doesn't win.
The Caesars promotions page will show you all of the ongoing offers, and there are plenty to continue to use! These are in addition to Caesars Rewards!
BetMGM
BetMGM Sportsbook is the product of MGM International, a brand that most gamblers are well aware of. The sportsbook has loads of features, and you can try them out after claiming a first bet offer of up to $1,000.
BetMGM Casino and Poker offers a 100% deposit match up to $1,000, plus another $25 on the house. The extra no deposit bonus is great!
If you enjoy sports betting, online casinos games, and poker, you can find online gambling bonuses for all three on one platform.
BetRivers
Our BetRivers promo code will grant you a second chance bet of $250! It can be used for the sportsbook or casino.
BetRivers offers prize drawings and a great rewards program. You can buy the promotions you are looking for at the Bonus Store.
DraftKings
Most sports bettors in the US have heard of DraftKings because of its early presence in fantasy sports. But it has expanded, becoming much more than that. It is now a sportsbook, fantasy site, and online casino.
The sportsbook has a bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets deal and the casino is up to $2,000. It has special playthrough requirements on how to clear the bonus, so check our review and the terms. Plus, the online casino will give you an additional $50 no deposit bonus.
If you don’t want to always risk your money or use online gambling bonuses, you can take advantage of the free games that DraftKings offers.
WSOP
If you have watched poker on TV, you have come across the World Series of Poker. But you can also join in on the fun at home on your computer or mobile phone.
WSOP has a huge sign up bonus for new players. You can get a 100% deposit match of up to $1,000, $50 in bonus play, and tickets to seven $100 bonus rolls.
Just sign up with our WSOP promo code – AMERICANGAMBLER. Playing online can even result in a trip to a physical location to participate in a poker tournament at a casino!
Online Gambling Bonuses via Rewards & Loyalty Programs
We encourage customers to sign up for several online gambling sites in order to take advantage of sign up bonuses. However, it can be worth sticking with one if there is a good rewards scheme.
Loyalty programs will reward you with bonuses and perks for the more that you spend. Rewards can include online gambling bonuses, but you can also earn hotel discounts, dinner comps, preferred customer service, and much more.
One of our favorite loyalty programs is iRush Rewards, which can be used on PlaySugarHouse and BetRivers. You will be earning loyalty level points and bonus store points as you wager. Loyalty levels unlock perks and bonus store points can be used to buy the online gambling bonuses you want to use!
Another great loyalty program is M Life Rewards on BetMGM. If you like to travel, this is the rewards program for you. In addition to gambling bonuses, you can earn discounts for MGM properties around the country.
VIP Bonuses
High rollers may want to check if your gambling site has a VIP program. These can be in addition to an existing rewards program.
If you sign up for a new gambling site and have VIP status at another sportsbook or casino, send customer service an email to see if you qualify.