Bookmakers’ bonuses can take various forms
The main attractions of bookmakers include bonuses. With these, companies try to attract new clients (welcome bonuses, or bonuses for registration alone) and motivate existing bettors to take action (reload bonuses and the like). This article focuses primarily on welcome bonuses, i.e., bonuses you receive for your first deposit, or for registration alone.
Most interesting first deposit bonuses
The most common bonus you will encounter at bookmakers is the welcome bonus (welcome bonus). It is the most prominently advertised bonus. You will see it on promotional banners, social media, or in advertisements. The essence of the welcome bonus is usually adding a certain percentage of bonus money (most often 100%) to the first deposit a bettor makes after registering, e.g., deposit €100 and get another €100 on top. This bonus can particularly boost beginners’ bankroll. Our recommendation is clear: take advantage of this promotion at as many companies as possible! However, be very careful to meet all the conditions related to the bonus. In practice, this means that before you can withdraw the bonus money, you must wager a certain amount on tickets with a minimum odd. You also need to meet this condition within a certain time frame. Always carefully read the rules and conditions of the bonus!
Most interesting free registration bonuses
In the eyes of some bettors, especially beginners, this is an even more advantageous bonus than in the previous case. It is a promotion where you are rewarded simply for registering a new account. Simply put,
you get free bonus money to try out betting. However, do not expect amounts as high as with the first deposit bonus. The reward is usually in the order of hundreds of crowns. On the other hand, who gives you something for free today? It would be a shame not to take advantage of this opportunity. You will mainly find this offer at Czech bookmakers.
Thoroughly study the bonus conditions
Whether you want to claim any bonus offered by a bookmaker, always familiarize yourself with its conditions first. And what to watch out for the most?
- One bonus per user (IP address) – You can only receive one bonus per name or per one IP address unless otherwise stated in the conditions.
- Wagering requirements – Before you can withdraw money from the bonus, you will have to “wager” it several times. This means placing bets of a certain amount. It is often multiple times the amount of the bonus (e.g., if you need to wager the bonus amount 6x and the amount of the bonus is €100, it means that you must first place bets worth €600).
- Minimum odds – The minimum odds of the ticket that counts towards the wagering also apply.
- Accepted markets and types of bets – Besides the minimum odds, also pay attention to markets and bets that do not count towards the wagering. Often, these are 2-way markets (two possible outcomes), such as Asian handicap, over/under, both teams to score, even/odd, etc. Usually, voided bets, cashed-out tickets, or bets placed from a free bet do not count towards the wagering.
- Restrictions on some deposit methods – Many bookmakers do not give a bonus to anyone who makes a deposit via electronic wallets, such as Skrill and Neteller.
- Bet amount – Bookmakers often have a set limit on the maximum amount of a bet that counts towards the wagering.
- Bonus expiration date – You have a certain amount of time to meet the bonus conditions. This varies from company to company. If you do not meet the conditions within this time, your claim to the bonus expires.
In our eyes, these are the most important conditions. But they are far from the only ones! For your own good, always study the rules of the given bonus calmly by yourself. There is no rush. The bonus won’t run away. And even if it does, there are an incredible number of bonus opportunities in the market with bookmakers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1️⃣ What is the difference between a first deposit bonus and a registration bonus?
The first deposit bonus rewards you at the moment you make your first deposit, or place a qualifying bet, if the bonus conditions require it. You receive the registration bonus for free without the need to deposit as a reward for completing account registration.
2️⃣ Are there any conditions related to the bonuses that I must meet?
Generally, yes. It concerns the claim to the bonus, wagering conditions, etc. Always carefully study the conditions and rules.
Michael Cermak
Article author – expert on bookmakers
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I started gaining experience in sports betting through my work in the customer support of a foreign bookmaker. It didn't take long before I started betting actively myself. This has continued to this day. Besides thematic articles, I look for interesting bonus offers and valuable odds for you. You can find all articles
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