Best Sportsbook Promos & Bonuses in December 2024

How We Rated the Best Sportsbook Promotions

To determine the best sportsbook promotions, we checked each deal's fine print and considered six factors and criteria. 

1. ✅ Value: Assessing the promotion's value means weighing its actual monetary or betting benefit against the requirements and other criteria. 

2. ✅ Requirements: At face value, a $1,000 bonus looks better than a $200 bonus. But if the $1,000 bonus requires a $5,000 deposit, while the $200 bonus only requires a $5 bonus, that changes things. It's all about getting the best bang for your buck.

3. ✅ Rollover requirements: Rollover requirements refer to the number of times you must wager the bonus amount or the winnings generated from the bonus before you can withdraw any funds. Lower rollover requirements are generally more favorable to bettors.

4. ✅ Market restrictions: Some promotions may only apply to specific sports (market), which drastically changes the appeal of the promotion.

5. ✅ Minimum odds: Sportsbooks will almost always place minimum odds restrictions on qualifying bets for bonuses. Lower minimum odds can be more flexible for bettors, while higher minimum odds can make it more challenging to use the promotion.

6. ✅ Time Limit: Some promotions have time limits for meeting the wagering requirements or using the bonus funds. We consider these limits in our ratings.

All of these contribute to an offer's overall value and appeal. That’s why we ask our experts to turn every sportsbook promo inside out before recommending it to ensure our readers get the maximum value from their bets.

Why Trust Us?

WSN has always had a pulse on the sports betting industry and naturally, we always have the latest and best sportsbook promos and bonuses. Here’s how we achieve that:

• The WSN team is made up of 40+ experts, all dedicated to providing you with the best US sportsbook promos and bonuses.

• We reviewed over 50 sportsbooks to create this list of the best sportsbook promos. 

• Our team spends a minimum of 12 hours a week testing each sportsbook operator and their promo offers and features.

• Each member of our team puts themselves in the shoes of regular players, and all testing is done from a first-hand perspective.

• We have over 40 betting guide articles and videos dedicated to helping new players learn the ropes of online sports betting before they take advantage of the best sportsbook promo offers.

• We have a dedicated responsible gambling center with 10 articles and videos that explain how to avoid and identify early warning signs of problems.

• We're always eager to hear your feedback, so feel free to send us a message at any time.

How Do We Do It?

On each review, our experts spend a minimum of 12 hours over a week, testing every feature the sportsbook has to offer, including their promo offer. We give them at least $1,000 to use during testing. They would turn the sportsbook upside down and test out everything from payment methods to customer support. Each aspect undergoes rigorous testing and is graded according to our BetEdge rating methodology.

Learn more about our rating process and BetEdge methodology.

After a review is published, we allocate at least 2 hours per month per operator to ensure our reviews remain up-to-date. For our ‘best of’ pages, such as our best sports betting sites, we spend at least 5 hours verifying and updating every detail.

In addition to this, twice a year, we conduct a comprehensive review of all sportsbook operators and our ‘best of’ pages from the ground up to ensure their accuracy and relevance.

Learn more about our editorial principles.

WSN’s Experts

We have assembled a team of over 40 experts from diverse sports and iGaming backgrounds. They have dances of combined experience in the betting industry. They have worked on both sides of the betting counter, giving them unique insights into odds-making and market trends. This allows us to analyze sportsbooks with a critical eye and provide you with reviews that highlight the best promos and potential drawbacks.

In addition to their technical expertise, our team is passionate about sports and betting. This passion drives them to stay updated on the latest developments and innovations in the industry, ensuring our reviews are always current and relevant.

Get to know our team.

WSN’s Betting Guides

Your first stop for learning everything there is about sports betting should be WSN’s betting guides. These guides will provide you with essential knowledge before you start claiming the best sportsbook promos and bonuses available in the US. Not only will they learn the basics of sports betting, but they’ll also pick up a couple of tips and tricks along the way. Sports betting is all about educated guesses so first learn how online sports betting works before you start playing.

Check out our betting guides section to learn all the sports betting terms and how it all works.

WSN’s Responsible Gambling Center

We hired Daniel Umfleet and Pat Eichner, two experts in health and responsible gambling, to create the WSN Responsible Gambling Center, which currently includes 10 articles and videos addressing gambling issues, practical guides, and resources to whom you can turn for assistance if you or your loved ones have a problem. 

Check out our Responsible Gambling Center to learn more and avoid common pitfalls.

We Value Your Feedback

We made leaving feedback for operators easy and accessible to everyone. You can always  contact us and provide us with your feedback, or you can simply visit the operator review section and express your satisfaction or dissatisfaction by giving a thumbs up or down.

Feel free to contact us.

What Are Online Sportsbook Promotions and How Do They Work?

Online sportsbook promotions are a way for sportsbook operators to draw in and retain bettors on their platforms. They work by offering incentives to players, such as bonus bets, free bets, cash returns, or improved odds, based on specific conditions that vary from bonus to bonus. 

To access these promotional benefits, customers are typically required to meet specific conditions, such as making a deposit or placing a bet.

These promotional offers entice users to engage with the sportsbook and stay active on the platform, ultimately benefiting both the bettor and the sportsbook.

Types of Sports Betting Promotions

There are 17 types of sportsbook promotions, each designed to entice and engage bettors with different incentives and opportunities. If you're curious about them, here's the full list:

1. Welcome bonuses attract new customers by offering special promotions exclusively available upon registration.

2. Deposit bonuses add bonus funds to the bettor's account based on the deposited amount, often expressed as a percentage.

3. Bonus bets provide credits to bettors as a reward or promotional tool, usable for placing wagers.

4. Second chance bets reimburse bettors in bonus bets (up to a certain amount) if their first bet loses.

5. Boosted odds offer temporarily improved odds on specific events, giving bettors the opportunity to win more than at regular odds.

6. Accumulator bonuses offer additional winnings or boosted odds for correctly predicting the outcome of multiple events in a single bet.

7. Cash-back offers provide bettors with a percentage of their stake or losses, usually in the form of bonus bets.

8. Refer-a-friend bonuses award existing customers for referring new customers who make a deposit and place bets.

9. Loyalty programs recognize regular betting activity, offering perks like free bets, cash, or other benefits.

10. Event-specific promotions tailor offers around particular sports events or competitions, catering to fans and increasing engagement.

11. No deposit bonuses award credits without any deposit prerequisites, allowing bettors a risk-free exploration of the platform.

12. Parlay insurance offers protection where bettors get a refund if one leg of their multi-event bet loses.

13. Early cash out allows bettors to settle bets before the event concludes, securing part of the potential winnings or minimizing losses.

14. Seasonal promotions offer deals tied to specific times of the year or festive occasions, driving engagement during peak seasons or holidays.

15. Real prize promotions allow bettors to win tickets to sporting events, trips, or other physical rewards instead of just betting credits or cash bonuses.

How To Claim a Sportsbook Promo

If you’re new to sports betting, here are the key steps required to claim a sportsbook promo:

1. Sign up for an account with the sportsbook using one of our links. You'll typically need to provide personal details such as your name, address, email, and other relevant information.

2. Use the promo code during the sign-up or deposit step, or opt-in for the promo from your account. Which one is required depends on the sportsbook in question. We’ve clearly labeled sportsbooks where you need to use the promo code when signing up.

3. Deposit the specified minimum funds or more according to the promo's terms.

4. Fulfill promo requirements by following their conditions. Whether it's placing a qualifying bet or waiting for certain outcomes, make sure you act according to the promo terms.

5. Claim bonus winnings once you've met all requirements. The funds will either be allocated automatically or you’ll have to claim them, depending on the sportsbook and promo in question.

Common Sportsbook Bonus Terms and Conditions

While specific terms and conditions can vary between different sportsbooks and promotions, they will all include the following terms:

• Minimum deposit/bet: Most promotions require a minimum deposit or a qualifying bet amount to activate the bonus.

• Time limits: Many promotions have time limits that require you to claim the bonus, meet the qualifying criteria, or use the bonus funds within a certain amount of time.

• Minimum odds: Certain promotions may require placing bets with minimum odds to qualify for the bonus or count towards the betting requirements.

• Wager requirements: Wagering requirements indicate the number of times you need to bet your bonus before you can withdraw your winnings. In most cases, it’s once. 

• Maximum wager: Sportsbooks may limit the maximum wager you can place using a bonus bet for a specific game or event. This limitation is imposed when the operator wants to mitigate potential losses by capping the size of your bonus bet wager.

Will Sportsbook Bonuses Continue, or Will They Disappear?

Sportsbook bonuses are here to stay. With the sports betting industry growing, competition is on the rise. To stand out, sportsbooks rely on generous bonuses and promotions.

Even though big players like FanDuel and DraftKings dominate the market with their resources, the constant need to attract and keep bettors ensures that sportsbook bonuses won't disappear anytime soon.

What Makes a Good Betting Bonus?

A good betting bonus offers significant value, such as a 100% match on your initial deposit with a high limit. It comes with fair terms and conditions, providing genuine chances to profit, like odds boosts and additional deposit bonuses. Less preferable are "no-sweat" bets, better known as 2nd chance bets, which only benefit you if you lose your initial bet. While they might seem appealing for beginners, to make the most of them, you have to deliberately lose your initial bet.

Most sportsbooks are going in this direction to limit liability. However, there are still many odds boosts and deposit bonuses left. Always look for these when searching for a good betting bonus. 

How to Get a Bigger Sportsbook Bonus

To get a bigger sportsbook bonus, one has to look for sportsbook operators with promotions with low requirements and big payouts. If you are interested in receiving a bigger sportsbook bonus, BetMGM is the way to go. To start off, it offers a remarkable deal: with just a $5 bet, you receive $150 in bonus bets, regardless of your bet's outcome. 

Another type of bonus you should take into consideration is the deposit bonus. The higher the percentage, the better. This offer can also be found on DraftKings. It offers a 20% deposit bonus up to $1,000. SI Sportsbook and Desert Diamond are also offering this fantastic promotion. They offer 100% deposit match up to $100 and $250, respectively. Essentially, you are doubling your initial wagering deposit. 

Gamble Responsibly

We value responsible gambling practices and prioritize the well-being of our users. If you are looking for tips on how to gamble responsibly, you are at the right place. Set a Budget: Establish a budget for yourself before you start gambling. Determine how much money you can afford to spend on gambling without negatively impacting your financial well-being. Stick to this budget and avoid exceeding it, even if you experience losses.

• Only Gamble with Disposable Income: Never gamble with money that is meant for essential expenses like rent, bills, or groceries. Use disposable income you can afford to lose without causing financial hardship.

• Set Time Limits: Set specific time limits for your gambling sessions and stick to them. Take breaks and engage in other activities to maintain a balanced lifestyle.

• Avoid Chasing Losses: Do not try to recoup losses by increasing your bets or chasing losses. This can lead to reckless gambling behavior and financial strain.

• Understand the Odds: Familiarize yourself with the odds and probabilities of the games you are playing. This can help you make informed decisions and set realistic expectations.

We also have our WSN Responsible Gambling Center with helpful guides to help you gamble safely.

Remember, gambling should be seen as entertainment and not a guaranteed way to make money. By gambling responsibly and within your means, you can minimize the risks and enjoy the experience in a safe and controlled manner. 

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, you can talk to someone at the National Problem Gambling Helpline by calling 1-800-GAMBLER. More information can be found on the NCPG website.

References

• National Conference of State Legislatures

• American Gaming Association

• Department of Small and Local Business Development

• Federal Trade Commission

• Michigan Journal of Economics

• Statista

• GovINFO