We obviously like to play bingo and slots here. But we are also aware that many of our readers also enjoy betting on sports now that it is legal in large parts of the US and Canada. What you might not know is what welcome offers are used to attract new customer account holders to these online sportsbooks.

We’ve taken a look at some of the top online sports betting sites currently available to discover where to find the best sportsbook bonuses – and what to expect when you register.

Most sportsbooks will offer a welcome bonus

Deposit Match

This is possibly the most common promotion offered by online sportsbooks. There will always be some kind of upper limit to the amount of bonus that is available, but the sportsbook will match the amount you deposit when you register for an account. There are also different percentage deposit matches between sites as well.

It means that if you deposit $200 when you sign up – and the offer is a 100% deposit match – you will be credited with another $200 to go into your funds. There are usually terms and conditions relating to how you can spend the bonus money, what you have to do to use it, and what is required to withdraw any of it. But doubling your fund total almost immediately is certainly very popular.

Free Bets

These are not quite as common as the deposit match, but they are also an attractive way for sportsbooks to entice new customer account holders. There is usually some kind of minimum amount deposit needed – or the requirement to place a bet with stipulated odds – to claim this bonus.

The free bets will be credited to your account once your qualifying bet is settled. The free bets will also have terms and conditions attached, and may also need to be used fairly quickly. But free bets are a great way of starting off your time with a new sportsbook.

No Deposit Bonus

This kind of offer is much rarer, but there are some sportsbooks that will allow you to pick up some extra credits without even putting any of your own money forward. The requirements are usually a little stricter than the other bonuses we’ve described so far. But, once again, you are essentially getting free money to bet.

To activate these kinds of offers you just need to sign up for a new customer account and opt in. You will need to register with a sportsbook anyway if you want to bet on their markets. So this kind of bonus is always eagerly snapped up.

Event Specific Bonuses

There is always a flurry of activity with online sportsbooks when the big sporting events come around. The Super Bowl, World Cup or Stanley Cup finals are used to great effect by betting sites to attract new customers. They are the kinds of events that people who don’t usually bet fancy having a wager on. So tieing in a promotion with such a big event is a common approach.

A lot of times the promotional offer, or bonus, is just the same as the standard welcome offer. But, attached to a big sporting event, the new customer is told how they can use the bonus.

Combination Bonus

Not all US and Canada sportsbooks have a casino section attached. This may be down to state laws and regulations, but in places like Europe, it is quite common for an online betting site to also offer online casino games.

These sites can then also offer a combination bonus for new customers. You may find that you can claim a certain amount of free bets and also receive a number of free spins on one of the slots games on the site. This way the bookmaker is introducing all aspects of their site to a customer who may not take as much interest otherwise.