Sportsbook Welcome Bonuses in DECEMBER 2024
One of the major attraction to a betting site is the availability of a welcome bonus. The choice of a welcome bonus may depend on the size of the bonus, and it’s ease of use. The size and terms of use of the bonus varies from bookmaker to bookmaker, however these terms can easily be comprehended. To make it easier to claim and make the best of the welcome bonuses, our team at Telecom Asia Sport has compiled this article as a guide to help punters understand more about betting site welcome bonuses, how to get them, when to get them, and the types of welcome bonuses available.
Top Bonuses
What is a betting welcome bonus?
A bookmaker welcome bonus is a promotional offer that is designed to attract new players to a betting site. It typically involves the bookmaker providing a bonus to new users upon signing up and/or making their first deposit or bet. This bonus can come in various forms, such as free bets, matched deposits, or enhanced odds. The terms and conditions of the welcome bonus vary from bookmaker to bookmaker and usually outline any requirements or restrictions, such as minimum deposit amounts, redeeming criteria, if any, and wagering requirements, before any winnings can be withdrawn.
How can you get a welcome bonus?
The process of getting a welcome bonus varies from one betting site to another. Additionally, the size of welcome bonuses differs from bookmaker to bookmaker. However, depending on the type of welcome bonus, the process of getting the welcome bonus is as follows:
- Create an account with the bookmaker of choice;
- Make a qualifying deposit. The minimum deposit amount differ and therefore it is important to review the terms and conditions before making your deposit;
- Meet qualifying criteria. Some welcome bonuses require you to place a qualifying bet or meet other criteria to activate the bonus. This might include placing a bet of a certain minimum value or on specific markets;
- Claim your bonus. Once you’ve met the necessary requirements, you will be credited with the welcome bonus. This could be in the form of free bets, a matched deposit, or another type of bonus;
- Redeem the bonus. Once the bonus is awarded, there are set of wagering requirements that needs to be met before the bonus and its associated winnings can be withdrawn. These requirements can be found in respective bookmakers welcome offer;
- Upon meeting all the wagering requirements, the bonus will be credited in the main balance account ready for withdrawal.
When can you get a welcome bonus?
In many cases, a sign-up bonus is offered to customers upon registration as a welcome package. Depending on the type of welcome bonus, it can be awarded as a first deposit bonus, a deposit match bonus, a free bet, a risk-free bet, or even a no deposit bonus upon completing registration and account verification. In some exceptional cases, a welcome bonus may be offered in 2, 3, or 4 folds, for instance, 4Rabet and Supabets.
What are the different types of welcome bonuses available?
To make the most of any welcome bonus, it is crucial to understand the various types of welcome bonuses and how they operate. Our team has compiled a list with brief descriptions of the different types of welcome bonuses commonly provided by betting sites. The following are the various types of welcome bonuses offered by bookmakers:
First Deposit Bonus
Different bookmakers offer different welcome bonus packages. The most common one is 100% first deposit bonus, which is usually a deposit match on the qualifying deposit that meets the minimum deposit criteria. This is usually a one-time offer and is usually valid for the first qualifying deposit. This bonus comes with its own wagering requirements that can be reviewed on the terms and conditions of the particular bonus. To illustrate, let's take a look at an example:
Take an example: if you sign up with a bookmaker offering a 100% first deposit bonus and make a first qualifying deposit of 50 EUR, or its equivalent in foreign currency, you will receive a bonus of 50 EUR. However, to withdraw or transfer this bonus, you will need to meet the wagering conditions of this bonus as laid out by the bookmaker.
| Bookmaker | Bonus Size | Minimum Deposit | Wagering Condition |
| 1xBet | 100% up to 100 EUR | 1 EUR | 5X |
| 22Bet | 100% up to 122 EUR | 1 EUR | 5X |
| Paripesa | 100% up to 100 EUR | 1 EUR | 5X |
| Megapari | 100% up to 100 EUR | 1 EUR | 5X |
Free Bet
In order to attract new customers, bookmakers often run promotions, such as a free bet. A free bet is a bet placed without punters own or real cash and is usually given by bookmakers to entice their customers. Participants in this promotion place wagers on sporting events using real money in accordance with the terms and conditions of the free bet; once the trigger condition is activated, the player receives their money back, up to the maximum amount that the bookmaker has established. To illustrate, lets take the example of Betway Zambia's's 50% free bet on your sign up:
If you make a deposit of 2000 ZMW on your successful registration, you need to wager a total stake of 6,000 on sports events or jackpots with odds of 3.0 or higher in order to qualify for the bonus, according to the terms and conditions of the offer. After meeting the initial deposit playthrough requirements, a free bet of 1000 ZMW will be added to your account automatically.
| Bookmaker | Bonus | Minimum Deposit | Trigger Condition |
| Bet365 | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | £10 | 1X |
| Betway | Bet £10 & Get £10 Free Bet | £ 10 | 1X |
| BetKing | Welcome Free Bet up to 600,000 NGN | 500 NGN | 1X |
| Bwin | Welcome Free Bet up to £ 20 | £ 10 | 1X |
No Deposit Bonus
A no deposit bonus is a bonus offer transferred to the player's account without requiring them to deposit money. Usually, no deposit bonuses are handed out in small amounts. Recently, no deposit bonuses have started gaining traction again as an easy way for bookmakers to attract new players and as a no-strings-attached way for players to explore online sportsbooks.
On completion of wagering requirements for the no deposit bonus, the winnings are transferred to the withdrawable balance less the bonus awarded. Lets look at an example of a no deposit bonus from Hollywoodbets.
Hollywood Bets offered a R25 sign-up bonus to all new players. To get this bonus, you simply need to create an account with Hollywood Bets and verify your account. On completing the KYC verification, the bonus will be automatically credited. However, this bonus cannot be withdrawn unless the 1X play-through condition is triggered and the FICA paperwork is completed.
Risk-free Bet
A risk-free bet is an offer in which your first stake will be refunded to you in some capacity should the bet be settled as a loss.It is usually offered as a welcome bonus. Here is how it works:
- Create an account with the bookmaker of your choice;
- Make a qualifying deposit that meets the minimum criteria;
- Make your first bet, in this context, risk free bet;
- Receive your full stake back up to a limit set by the bookmaker in the event that the bet looses.
This offer only applies to the first qualifying bet that meets the terms and conditions. Should the first qualifying bet be settled as a win, or does not meet the criteria set, then you will not be eligible for the no risk bet bonus.
Different sportsbooks offer various ways to return the wager amount. It can be in the form of site credit, bonus cash, or free bet.
Suppose you create an account with your favorite bookmaker, make a first bet with a stake amount of 35 EUR, and the bet is settled as a loss. You will receive a 35 EUR no-risk bet bonus. If you redeem this no-risk bet at odds of 2.00, and the bet wins, then the no-risk bet plus its winnings will be credited to your main account, totaling 70 EUR.
Matched Deposit Bonus
A matched deposit bonus is, from the players' perspective, one of the most popular sportsbook bonuses out there. Essentially, the bookmaker offers it based on your deposit and then matches your amount up to a certain percentage. Ultimately, a match deposit bonus can come in many different forms with different terms and conditions. The variations of the match deposit bonus lie in the percentage that the bookmaker will match. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get the matched deposit bonus as a welcome bonus:
- Complete registration process with your preferred bookmaker;
- Make a qualifying deposit that matches the required minimum criteria;
- You will be credited with a bonus matching your qualifying deposit.
Suppose you make a qualifying deposit of $100 on your registration, you will earn an extra $100 in bonuses, which is 100% of your deposit. However, to make the most of this bonus, you need to meet some terms and conditions before you withdraw the money.
Which betting site gives a bonus on registration?
Having discussed the types of welcome bonuses available, let's have a look at the bookmaker's offering the best welcome bonuses. Our ratings is based on the size of the bonus, minimum requirements to claim the bonus, as well as the wagering terms of the bonus. Here is a list of top bookmakers offering the best welcome bonuses:
| Bookmaker | Bonus Offer | Bonus Link |
| 1xBet | 100% First Deposit Bonus up to 100 EUR | Claim Bonus! |
| 22Bet | 100% First Deposit Bonus up to 122 EUR | Claim Bonus! |
| Bet365 | Bet £10 Get £30 | Claim Bonus! |
| Paripesa | 100% First Deposit Bonus up to 100 EUR | Claim Bonus! |
| Megapari | 100% First Deposit Bonus up to 100 EUR | Claim Bonus! |
| Melbet | 100% First Deposit Bonus up to 100 EUR | Claim Bonus! |
| Betway | Bet 10 EUR Get 10 EUR | Claim Bonus! |
| Hollywoodbets | R25 Sign-up Bonus | Claim Bonus! |
| Yesplay | 100% Deposit Bonus up to R3000 | Claim Bonus! |
| 4RaBet | 600% Welcome Bonus up to 60,000 INR | Claim Bonus! |
How Do Welcome Bonuses Work?
Here is a step-by-step description of how to claim sportsbook welcome bonuses and how to make the best out of them:
- Select your preferred bookmaker;
- Create an account with the selected bookmaker;
- Fulfil Conditions to claim the welcome bonus which might include making a deposit or making a minimum wager;
- Receiving the Bonus: The bonus, whether cash, credit, or points, is credited after conditions are met;
- Redeeming the bonus in order to withdrawal the bonus. Wagering terms differ from one bookmaker to another and therefore it is important to understand the wagering terms.
What Should you Consider?
The following are the essential considerations you should take note of:
- Wagering requirements before withdrawing the bonus and its associated winnings;
- Bonus validity period;
- Eligibility criteria. Offers may be region-specific or payment method-dependent;
- Terms and Conditions.
Conclusion
Sportsbook welcome bonuses are worth claiming because they act as safety nets, especially for new bettors. Bettors should look for betting sites that offer welcome bonuses and maximize this opportunity. We have given you the different types of welcome bonuses, how they work, and how to get them. The welcome bonuses vary from one bookmaker to the other, so you should compare wisely and choose the best. Depending on the sportsbook you choose, you should a better understanding of the welcome bonuses you are likely to get.