Not only will they detail the wagering requirements, but they will also inform you of any restrictions affecting the offer, such as payment methods, minimum deposits, and exclusions that might apply to you. To round off this sports betting bonus type explained guide, I’ll take a quick look at what else is available.
Table of contents
Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. The bonus code can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. First deposit only £10 min deposit qualifying bet: min £10, on any ACCA or Bet Builder (2+ selections) with min odds 6/4 (2.5) on selected sports £10 Free Bet: 2+ leg ACCA or Bet Builder (2+ selections), min odds 6/4 (2.5) 7-day expiry T&Cs apply This last point illustrates you aren’t getting something for nothing here, and there are rules to follow if you want to get the best from each type of bonus. These are the conditions you need to meet before you can withdraw any of your bonus funds. It might involve playing through the bonus amount or any winnings a given number of times, or your bets may need to be of certain types at predefined odds, such as a 2-bet accumulator at odds of 2.0 or above.
Other Promotions for Existing Customers
Additionally, in most cases, the stake on the free bet is not returned. Some bonuses will require bonus codes to trigger them. Failing to enter the code may result in an inferior offer or no offer at all. In my sports betting 101 guide, I mention all the best offers, along with the necessary bonus codes, so using the resources here can help you avoid missing out. No matter the bonus type, always review the T&Cs. Don’t overlook these, they can make your long term experience with a sportsbook much, much better.
6. Paddy Power offer: Best bet builder free bets
This type of bonus will suit you if you are risk averse, or new to sportsbooks and a bit nervous. Here you are awarded bonus bets, typically after making a qualifying bet. These tend to be smaller bonuses, and an example might be to bet $10, get 4x$10 bonus bets. This means bet $10, and win or lose you get $40 in bonus bets. This might be a good fit for you if you have a smaller starting bank, or if you are cautious about depositing large sums.
How do Bonus Codes work?
These are quite rare, but I’ll cover them so you know what to do if you see one. This will usually take the shape of a bonus bet, but will be awarded after you register, with no need for a deposit or qualifying bet. These tend to be very small and you might well have to make a deposit before you can withdraw. New customers: Deposit £10+ within 7 days and place a sports bet. Open Account Offer Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365. Reload bonuses - these are bonuses, typically deposit matches you’ll get when you fund your account gain.
| Source | Advantage | Potential Drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsbook Website | Guaranteed to be official and current. | May not have all affiliate codes. |
| Affiliate Sites | Aggregates codes, often with exclusive offers. | May prioritize high-commission offers. |
| Email Newsletters | Direct delivery of exclusive/personalized codes. | Requires opting in. |
| Social Media | Timely updates for flash promotions. | Can be cluttered and unverified. |
This might be on a Friday for your weekend wagering, or as an offer in your inbox if you haven’t visited for a while.
| Event | Sportsbook | Boosted Bet | Code/Trigger | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Bowl | DraftKings | Any TD Scorer +200 | SB-BOOST | Game day |
| NBA Finals | FanDuel | MVP to Score 25+ Pts | NBAFINALS | Series end |
| Kentucky Derby | BetMGM | Win/Place/Show Same Horse | DERBY2026 | Post time |
| Champions League Final | Caesars | Both Teams to Score | UCLBOOST | Kickoff |
The timings of these can vary and could be a reason why to use multiple sportsbooks, as that way you stand more chance of being able to claim one.
- No-deposit bonus codes grant a small free bet just for signing up
- Deposit match codes double your first deposit up to a certain limit
- Risk-free bet codes refund your first bet as a bonus if it loses
- Profit boost codes increase the odds on a specific parlay or market
- Referral bonus codes reward you for inviting a new customer
- Reload bonus codes offer a match on deposits made after the first one
VIP program bonuses - as you wager, you will collect points at most sportsbooks, and this will boost your status on their VIP programs. The higher you go, the bigger the bonuses you get, from reload offers to cashback to bonus bets.
- State legalization status can affect which codes are available to you
- Some operators have different codes for different states
- Cross-check that the sportsbook is licensed and operational in your location
- Be wary of codes from unregulated or offshore sportsbooks
It will vary where you go, and using the reviews on this site can show you which might be best for you. You don’t always have to reach the upper echelons to get these bonuses, sometimes they just apply for moving from one level to another.
Common free bet traps
So if you want the sports betting bonus types explained, this betting school guide is for you. I’ll cover not just the welcome bonuses you get when you sign up, but also the other opportunities to make the most of what sportsbooks have to offer. That includes reload bonuses, the various bonuses you’ll get from VIP programs and even bonuses from referring friends. That way, you can pick the best bonuses for you quickly and easily. Sports betting bonus types explained - Welcome bonuses Sports betting bonus types explained - What you need to know about welcome bonuses Conclusion - make the most of sportsbook bonuses Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets New customers: Deposit £10+ within 7 days and place a sports bet.
Step 1: Choose your bookmaker
Get £30 in Free Bets (1x £10 Horse Racing Free Bet + 1x £10 Football Acca Free Bet + £10 Basketball Acca Free Bet) T&Cs apply. Bet £40 get £20 in free bets 18+ Offer available to new customers only who sign up with Promo Code BET40GET20. In short, sports betting bonuses are rewards sportsbooks give you either when you join, or during your time with them if you reload your account or make different types of wager. The longer answer is much more complicated than this, and throughout this betting guide I’ll be explaining each type and the merits and possible downsides of each. In general the bonuses fall into these categories: The first stop on this tour of bonus types is the welcome bonus. Referring others - many sportsbooks now give you bonuses for introducing others via the link or code on your account page. This might be in the shape of bonus bets, and is sometimes shared with the person you have referred.
| State | Available Sportsbooks | Notable Welcome Code |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars | All major codes valid |
| Pennsylvania | FanDuel, DraftKings, BetRivers, Unibet | FANDUEL200 |
| Michigan | BetMGM, DraftKings, Barstool | CAESARS1250 |
| Colorado | DraftKings, Betfred, SuperBook | DK250 |
| Arizona | FanDuel, BetMGM, WynnBET | BETMGM200 |
One example will be if they sign up using your link, you both get $50 in bonus bets each.
- DraftKings: Use code WELCOME100 for a $100 bonus on your first deposit
- FanDuel: Enter code FANDUEL to get a risk-free bet up to $1,000
- BetMGM: Claim a $1,500 first-bet safety net with code NEWBONUS
- Caesars Sportsbook: New users get a $1,000 first bet on Caesars with code WELCOME1K
- Bet365: Use bonus code ACTION for a bet credit on a qualifying deposit
Once you’ve had the sports betting bonus types explained, you’ll know what to look for when searching for a sportsbook, and can avoid one of the biggest betting mistakes of all - claiming the wrong bonus.
Free bet calculator
Which UK bookmaker offers the best betting bonus? You can trust any of the bookies on this page to offer excellent bonuses. No, you must use your bonus to gamble on sports. What is the best type of bonus for beginners? What’s the difference between free bets and no deposit bonuses?
🖥️ Which sites give free bets?
Free bets require a qualifying deposit and wager; free bets usually don’t. You can join as many different betting apps as you like and collect the deals. Are there any betting bonuses for existing customers? Yes, click the promotions page on your chosen bookmaker and browse the deals for existing and loyal members. Sports Betting Betting SitesBest Betting SitesSite ReviewsUS Betting Site ReviewsUS Betting Site Promo CodesUK Betting Site ReviewsUK Betting Site Promo CodesOther Betting Site ReviewsOther Betting Site Promo CodesBetting Site GuidesBetting OffersBest Betting OffersBetting School & ToolsBetting SchoolBetting CalculatorsBetting Site Live StreamingDFS SitesDFS ReviewsDFS Promo CodesDFS Sites Sweeps & Social Sweepstakes Casinos Sweepstakes Casino Reviews Real Prize ReviewStake.us ReviewMcLuck ReviewSidepot.us ReviewJackpota ReviewCrown Coins Casino ReviewHigh5Casino ReviewMegabonanza ReviewBaba Casino ReviewWow Vegas ReviewPlayfame ReviewClubs Casino ReviewFunrize ReviewMyPrize ReviewLonestar ReviewRolling Riches ReviewMoonspin Review Sweepstakes Casino Promo Codes RealPrize Promo CodeStake.us Promo CodeMcLuck Promo CodeSidepot.us Promo CodeJackpota Promo CodeCrown Coins Casino Promo CodeHigh5Casino Promo CodeMegabonanza Promo CodeBaba Casino Promo CodeWow Vegas Promo CodePlayfame Promo CodeClubs Casino Promo CodeFunrize Promo CodeMyPrize Promo CodeLonestar Promo CodeRolling Riches Promo CodeMoonspin Promo CodeSweepstakes Casino Sister SitesSweepstakes Casino PromosSweepstakes Casino GuidesSocial CasinosSocial BettingSocial Betting ReviewsSocial Betting Promo CodesSocial Betting Sites Sweepstakes Casino Reviews Real Prize ReviewStake.us ReviewMcLuck ReviewSidepot.us ReviewJackpota ReviewCrown Coins Casino ReviewHigh5Casino ReviewMegabonanza ReviewBaba Casino ReviewWow Vegas ReviewPlayfame ReviewClubs Casino ReviewFunrize ReviewMyPrize ReviewLonestar ReviewRolling Riches ReviewMoonspin Review Sweepstakes Casino Promo Codes RealPrize Promo CodeStake.us Promo CodeMcLuck Promo CodeSidepot.us Promo CodeJackpota Promo CodeCrown Coins Casino Promo CodeHigh5Casino Promo CodeMegabonanza Promo CodeBaba Casino Promo CodeWow Vegas Promo CodePlayfame Promo CodeClubs Casino Promo CodeFunrize Promo CodeMyPrize Promo CodeLonestar Promo CodeRolling Riches Promo CodeMoonspin Promo Code Best Betting Sites » Betting School » Understanding Different Sports Betting Bonus Types 2026 If you’re having trouble getting your head around the different types of bonuses, you are not alone. You can look at each you see and judge them on their merits especially regarding wagering conditions.
- Codes are often updated for major sporting events like the Super Bowl
- Look for enhanced "March Madness" or "NBA Finals" special offers
- Holiday promotions around Christmas or Thanksgiving may have unique codes
- New sportsbook launches in a state often feature limited-time codes
- Season kickoffs for NFL, NBA, and MLB are prime times for new bonuses
- Some codes expire shortly after a big event concludes
The same goes for the other types of bonus as well, and being savvy about VIP programs and the ad-hoc bonuses can certainly improve your experience at a sportsbook in the long run. The betting school also has other guides that are every bit as valuable as this, including a starter guide, and insights into how to use the various calculators that help you make the best of every wager you make.
Our Weekly Recommended Betting Offer – £30 In Free Bets with bet365
This is what you get as a new customer joining a sportsbook for the first time, and is likely to be quite large. This is used as a tool to attract new customers, and also as a thank you for joining. They come in various shapes and sizes, and there are some important things you need to know when claiming one. This is more common at casinos, but you can often find a deposit match bonus at a sportsbook. As the name suggests the sportsbook will match your deposit, typically with 100%, but sometimes as much as 120% or 150%.
Can I use free bets on any sport?
This is typically added to your balance as bonus bets, and will suit you if you like to see a big balance upfront. This is not quite as straightforward but still not rocket science. Your first wager, up to a certain limit, is refunded to your account if it loses, typically as bonus bets. For example, you bet $100 and it wins, you don’t get a bonus but that doesn’t matter because you’ve won. If it bet free sign up bonus no deposit loses you get $100 credited to your account in bonus bets. First deposit only £10 min deposit qualifying bet: min £10, on any ACCA or Bet Builder (2+ selections) with min odds 6/4 (2.5) on selected sports £10 Free Bet: 2+ leg ACCA or Bet Builder (2+ selections), min odds 6/4 (2.5) 7-day expiry T&Cs apply Bonuses come in all shapes and sizes, but broadly fall into these categories: deposit match, bonus bets, no sweat bets, and no deposit bonuses, which are the rarest of all.
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