The Best US Sports Betting Bonuses - April 2026

What Are Sportsbook Promos and How Do They Work?

Online sportsbook promos and sign-up bonuses allow sportsbook operators to draw in and retain bettors on their platforms by offering an initial welcome offer so the new player can test the sportsbook without investing too much of their bankroll. Besides the welcome offer incentive, players can also get other types of bonuses, such as bonus bets, cash returns, or improved (boosted) odds, based on specific conditions that vary from bonus to bonus. 

To access these promotional benefits, customers must typically 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

Sportsbooks use a lot of flashy marketing terms, but almost every promotion falls into one of a few main categories. Understanding exactly how these mechanics work is the best way to know if an offer is actually worth claiming.

Here are the most common types of sportsbook promotions you will see in the US:

1. First Bet Safety Nets (Second-Chance Bets): This is currently the most popular welcome offer in the industry. You place your first real-money wager, and if it loses, the sportsbook refunds your exact stake (usually up to $1,000 or $1,500) in the form of Bonus Bets. If your first bet wins, you simply keep your cash profit and receive no bonus.

2. "Bet and Get" Offers: These are highly popular around the start of major seasons like the NFL. The mechanic is incredibly simple: you place a small qualifying wager (like $5), and the sportsbook instantly credits your account with a set amount of Bonus Bets (like $150), regardless of whether your original bet wins or loses.

3. Deposit Match Bonuses: With a deposit match, the sportsbook agrees to match a percentage of your very first cash deposit with bonus funds. For example, a "100% Deposit Match up to $200" means if you deposit $200, the sportsbook gives you an additional $200 in bonus site credit. These often come with strict rollover requirements.

4. No-Deposit Bonuses: These are the holy grail for bettors, but they are incredibly rare today. A no-deposit bonus gives you a small amount of site credit (usually $10 to $25) just for creating a verified account, without requiring you to put any of your own money on the line.

5. Odds Boosts and Profit Boosts: These promotions artificially increase your payout on a specific wager. An odds boost is usually chosen by the sportsbook (e.g., boosting a specific player to score a touchdown from +110 to +150). A profit boost gives you a token that you can apply to a bet of your own choosing to increase your potential winnings by a set percentage.

6. Parlay Insurance: Parlays are notoriously difficult to win, so sportsbooks offer insurance to soften the blow. If you build a multi-leg parlay and exactly one leg loses, the sportsbook will refund your original stake as a Bonus Bet so you can try again.

7. Refer-a-Friend Bonuses: If you send a friend a unique tracking link and they sign up, deposit, and place a qualifying wager, both you and your friend will receive a reward (usually a $50 or $100 Bonus Bet).

Common Sportsbook Bonus Terms & 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.

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 labelled sportsbooks where you must use the promo code when signing up.

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

4. Fulfil 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.

Best Ongoing Sportsbook Promos for Existing Users

The massive welcome bonuses get all the attention, but the best sportsbooks know they need to provide ongoing value to keep you around. Once you have played through your initial sign-up offer, you should look for sportsbooks that consistently reward their existing users.

Since daily promotions change rapidly depending on the sports season, here are the most common ongoing promos you should look out for, and who typically does them best:

1. Daily Odds Boosts: Almost every major sportsbook offers daily odds boosts, which artificially inflate the payout on a specific market. For example, a sportsbook might boost a player to score a touchdown from +110 to +150. DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook are well known for offering a high volume of daily odds boosts across multiple sports.

2. Profit Boost Tokens: Instead of the sportsbook choosing the bet for you, a profit boost token allows you to increase the payout on a bet of your choice. You simply add a bet to your slip, click the token, and watch the potential payout jump by 25%, 50%, or even 100%. FanDuel frequently hands out profit boost tokens, especially for Same Game Parlays.

3. Parlay Insurance: If you love building multi-leg parlays, this is a must-have promotion. Parlay insurance refunds your stake (usually as a Bonus Bet) if exactly one leg of your parlay loses. BetMGM is famous for its regular parlay insurance offers, particularly during the NFL and NBA seasons.

4. Loyalty and VIP Rewards: The most sustainable way to get ongoing value is through a tier-based rewards program. Every bet you place earns points that can be redeemed for bonus bets, site credit, or real-world perks like hotel stays and dining. Caesars Rewards and MGM Rewards are widely considered the gold standards here, as they perfectly link their online sportsbooks to their physical casino resorts.

Sportsbook Promos & Bonuses by State

A quick overview of the best sportsbook promos and bonuses for every state where online sports betting is legal.

Gamble Responsibly

We value responsible gambling practices and prioritize the well-being of our users. If you are looking for tips on gambling 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 behaviour and financial strain.

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

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.

How We Rated the Best Sportsbook Promotions

To determine the best sportsbook promos, 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 bonus bets. 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 promo codes and bonuses. Here’s how we achieve that:

• The WSN team comprises 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 at least 12 hours a week testing each sportsbook operator and their promo offers and features.

• Each team member 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.

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