The online gambling scene in the United States is gathering pace as more states move to legalize sportsbook betting. The top names from Las Vegas target online bettors across the land, joined by the most famous international betting apps. But which is the best bookmaker for you, and which offers the most generous bonus?

Our resident sportsbook expert, Frank Monkhouse, highlights the best US sportsbook bonuses you can claim now. There’s invaluable information on why bookies offer bonuses, how to register an account and claim a free bet, the different types of deals, important points from the terms and conditions, and more. By the end of this page, you’ll know the best bookie bonuses and where to find them.

Why Do Betting Bonuses Exist?

They say you get nothing for free in this world, and that’s usually true in the sports gambling arena. So, why are major bookmakers battling to give you the best free bets and promotions? What’s in it for them, and should you, indeed, look a gift horse in the mouth?

The online gambling sector in the United States is becoming increasingly competitive, and major online gambling apps find it challenging to stand out from the crowd. How do they get noticed in such a crowded marketplace and encourage new players to register and enjoy their services?

The marketing teams working at major US bookmakers compete to offer new players the best and most eye-catching deals. Known as welcome bonuses, the offers are reserved for new players and include free bets, enhanced odds, cashback, profit boosts, enhanced places each way, and other attractions. The promos help drive a steady stream of new registrations, keeping the business relevant and successful.

As a sports bettor, all you have to do is browse the options, find the new customer deals that suit you the best, and create an account to secure your share.

Claiming a Sports Betting Bonus

When you have chosen the right welcome bonus for you, it’s time to register an account and claim it. You’ll be delighted to learn that this step is quick, secure, and simple, taking just a few moments on your desktop or smartphone. 

You are free to visit and browse any of the sportsbooks mentioned on this page, checking the odds, sports, markets, and other features. But to claim the welcome bonus and start gambling, you must register an account. The steps below will guide you through the registration process, ensuring you get the best deal available. The steps will work on the website and smartphone app of any online bookmaker. 

  1. Visit the homepage of your chosen bookmaker and click the register or join button at the top to proceed to the registration form.
  2. Add your details, including your name, date of birth, postal address, and email address.
  3. Create a username and password that’s memorable but secure. You’ll need this information each time you wish to access your account.
  4. Add the promo code if required, and then deposit $10 or more using a credit/debit card, e-wallet, crypto account, or voucher code.
  5. Gamble $10 or more on a qualifying sportsbook market at the minimum odds stated or higher. 
  6. When your qualifying bet results, the welcome bonus free bet will appear in your player account balance.
  7. Click the odds of your next selection to add to your bet slip, and then check the box that informs the bookmaker you’d like the stake to come from your free bets.

6 Betting Bonuses for US Bettors

Almost every major sportsbook offers new customers a welcome bonus for choosing them over the competition. You can join a sportsbook as a new customer only once, but nothing is stopping you from joining multiple betting apps and collecting the bonuses as you go. Being a member of several bookmakers also increases your chances of getting the market’s best price each time you wager on sports.

Welcome bonuses come in many different forms, and it’s worth taking the time to research what’s available to ensure you get the deal that suits you best. The most popular offer is the deposit-matched bonus, which gives you a free bet that’s equal to your first deposit and wager. That puts you in control of both the size of the risk and the reward. Gamble $10 or more to unlock the bet credits. If you wager $50, for example, you’ll receive a $50 free bet.

The deposit-matched bonus works well for the bookmaker, too, as it ensures they are rewarding customers who are serious about betting on the site and not just there for the bonus. Other popular new customer offers you’ll find today include risk-free bets that protect your stake and enhanced odds on favorites.

Here are 6 favorites.

1. FanDuel - bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets

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Join FanDuel today and deposit as little as $5 before gambling on a qualifying sportsbook market and receive a stunning $200 in bonus bets. When your first wager results, the $200 in free bets will hit your account in less than 72 hours. 

You can use your bet credits to wager on a long list of sports, competitions, and markets, including the NFL, NBA, English Premier League, NASCAR, NHL, and other favorites. Better still, you don’t need to use your bet credits in one lump sum, meaning you can spread it across multiple wagers.

2. DraftKings - bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets

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DraftKings go head-to-head with the competition by offering the same welcome bonus as one of their main rivals, FanDuel. Create an account at DraftKings, one of the biggest names in US sportsbook gambling, and you’ll instantly qualify for $200 in bet bonuses when you deposit and wager just $5. That’s simply stunning.

The main attraction of DraftKing’s offer is that you can wager $5 on any market and receive the $200 bonus instantly, meaning there’s no waiting around. Use the credits to wager on your favorite teams, players, and markets, including totals in the NFL and NBA spreads. 

3. BetMGM - first scorer bet insurance

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BetMGM offers VIP treatment to both new and existing customers, and after creating an account, you’ll enjoy a long list of generous promotions. Simply click the promos page and collect the deal that catches your eye. There’s something for everyone, including NFL lovers and NBA enthusiasts.

One of the recurring deals that impressed me was the cashback offer on first-scorer bets in the NFL. If you back a player to register the first touchdown in a game and he fails but scores the second, you’ll get your stake back. The bet insurance allows you to take a chance, knowing your pick must score either first or second.

4. Caesars - $1000 cashback if your first bet loses

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Caesars Sportsbook is another major player in the industry, and this popular bookmaker flexes its muscles with a jaw-dropping welcome bonus for new players. Create an account at Caesars now, deposit funds, and wager on sports up to a $1000 stake, and you’ll enjoy bet insurance, meaning your first wager can’t lose.

Deposit and gamble from $10 to $1000, and if your pick wins, you land the returns. But if things don’t go according to plan and your pick fails, Caesars Sportsbook will refund your stakes as a bonus bet, giving you another chance.

5. BetRivers - up to $250 bonus bet

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If you don’t already have an account with BetRivers and have been thinking about joining, now is the perfect time. Create an account today, and you’ll benefit from a generous welcome bonus that means your first wager can’t lose.

Place a real-money wager on any sportsbook market at any odds, and if it loses, the BetRivers team will refund your stake as a bonus, capped at $250. You can wager between $10 and $250, meaning you’re in control of both the risk and the reward.

6. Hard Rock Bet - $100 first bet insurance

Ready to join Hard Rock Bet? The welcome bonus for new players helps to sweeten the deal with customers enjoying $100 first bet insurance. Simply open an account, deposit between $10 and $100, and then wager on a sportsbook market to qualify.

If your first bet wins, you keep the profits as usual. But if your first bet loses, Hard Rock Bet will refund your stakes as bet credits, meaning you can line up another shot at no extra cost. The bet insurance allows you to take a chance on a pick with high odds, knowing you can’t lose. It’s a great deal that’s popular with bettors.

Finding More Sportsbook Promotions

Most online sportsbooks, including those covered in this article, reserve their best deals for new customers. You’ll see from the bonuses featured above that firms push the boat out to impress new players and encourage new registrations. But they won’t simply forget about you and move on to the next newbie after you’ve used the welcome bonus.

Visit any of the betting apps in this article, and you’ll see a long list of recurring deals available to both new and existing players. The offers include free bets, cashback for losing bets, profit boosts on winning parlays, enhanced odds on popular favorites, extra places each way on horse racing and golf, and other interesting options. 

The marketing teams and traders work together to create recurring promos, updating their offers regularly to ensure they are relevant to the sports schedule, better than the competition, and appealing enough to drive repeat business. It’s worth checking the promos page before each bet to see if there’s an easier way to win.

Be Sure to Check the Terms and Conditions

Regardless of the welcome bonus you choose from this article, you must read the terms and conditions attached before accepting. All betting offers have T&Cs, which you can view on your bookmaker’s website or smartphone app. Many gamblers ignore the small print in their haste to collect the bonus and use the free bet to gamble on their favorite sports. Please don’t make that mistake, as it could prove costly.

The T&Cs exist to protect both the bookmaker and the bettor from fraudulent activity while ensuring the free bets go to genuine customers interested in sports betting rather than those out to harvest freebies and move on to the next app. Taking the time to read the small print will boost your understanding of how the deal works and what’s expected of you as a customer. The more you know about the offer, the greater your chance of using it to bank a profit from gambling on sports. Here are a few points typical from the T&Cs.

  • Welcome bonuses are for new players only.
  • Deals are one per customer.
  • Age and location restrictions apply.
  • Qualifying bets on a sportsbook market are required.
  • Winnings are paid in cash or free bets.
  • No cash-out or partial cash-out on qualifying bets.
  • Debit cards are the best way to get a bonus.
  • Min and max stakes apply.
  • Customers must be verified before withdrawing funds.
  • Void bets don’t count when qualifying for free bets.

Find the Best Picks and Plays With Whop

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Now that you know the best online sports betting bonuses available to gamblers in the US, how to claim your share, and all the important terms and conditions, you’re ready to start playing. You can join one bookmaker and grab one welcome bonus or register at several firms and claim several bonuses. Having multiple accounts also boosts your chances of getting the best odds available each time you bet.

If you’re looking for helpful advice on your next bet, including expert sports picks and tips on the NFL, horse racing, NBA, and more, Whop is ready to deliver. Whop is home to thousands of sports betting Discord servers, Telegram channels, and whops.

These communities are led by experienced cappers who share everything from their bankroll management strategies to which picks to tail. Browse the marketplace, select your favorites, and join today.

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