Overview of the Top Sports Betting Bonuses in 2024
Go to any major bookmaker and you will find a selection of betting bonuses on offer, from sport specific bonuses to welcome offers and everything in-between. Bonuses can bolster your chances, switch up your original bet or give you a chance of a refund; the possibilities are endless. This means that it is important to find the best ones, and to know exactly what you are getting by taking part.
Bonuses differ hugely, mainly because they have lots of moving parts including the validity periods, play-through amounts and minimum odds. Firstly, the most important type of bonus is the sign-up bonus, because it will no doubt be the first bonus you encounter. Have a look at our table below to see the top three sign-up bonuses around today!
Operator |
Rating |
Minimum Deposit |
Min. Odds Single |
Bonus Offer |
To the site |
Terms and Conditions |
888sport |
4 ★ Very good |
£10 |
1.5 |
£30 |
Get Bonus |
Full T&Cs below. 18+. New customers only • Minimum deposit £10 • using deposit code 30F • Min odds 1/2 • Free bets expires after 7 days • Deposit balance is available for withdrawal at any time. withdrawal restrictions & full T&C’s apply |
Ladbrokes |
4 ★ Good |
£5 |
1.5 |
£20 |
Get Bonus |
Full T&Cs apply. 18+. UK+IRE customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excluded. Min £5 first bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds ½ = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stakes not returned, restrictions apply. T&C apply. |
First Deposit Bonuses
By far the most common form of sign up bonus is the first deposit offer, which usually requires customers to create an account and make a deposit before anything is activated. These betting bonuses are very simple and give players an enhanced starting capital after they sign up. If you’re looking for a way to get the feel of a bookmaker before you start gambling some serious money, taking advantage of their welcome offer is always a good and sensible way of doing it.
Example Betvictor:
Betvictor are currently offering a, bet £10, get £30 back welcome bonus and 30 free bets. To trigger this offer, you must sign up, make a deposit and place a first bet of at least £5 with odds of 2.00 or greater. The bonus will be valid for 7 days after claiming it. If you’re interested in finding out more about this offer, check out the full Betvictor review.
. Wager £10 Get £30+ 30 Free Spins BEST SPORTS BONUS Unrivalled bet £10, get £30 and 30 Free Bets Special promo code not required Best odds for football guaranteedPLAY HERE!.
Full T&Cs apply.18+ New customers only. Opt in, deposit, and wager a min of £10 on selected games within 7 days of registration. Get a 3x £10 Casino Bonus Funds for selected games and 30 Free Spins on Fishin' Frenzy. Offer valid until 23:59 UK time on 31.12.24. gambleaware.org
Free Bets
Free bets are different from first deposit bonuses as they are only activated once you have placed a bet usually totalling the value of your first deposit, and adhering to the requirements. After that, you will receive a free bet sum which you must then use on further bets within a restricted time frame, ranging from a few days to a year.
No-Deposit Bets:
It is only rarely that you will find an operator offering a free starting sum without the need for any deposit of your own. This type of sports betting bonus gives customers the ability to have some instant real money fun, but you should always check out the terms and conditions for the wagering and play-through requirements. If you want some more information, we thought that no deposit bets are so important they needed their own page!
Risk-Free First Bets:
Operators are always trying to come up with new, enticing welcome offers. One such offer is the risk-free first bet, which guarantees you your money back if your first bet loses. It is great for first-time punters who are a little unsure about diving in to the world of online sports betting. It offers an opportunity to have some fun with an opportunity to win some money, without the danger of losing anything. As always, terms and conditions apply to these deals – you will be limited to a set-figure max bet, and you likely won’t be able to combine the offer with freebies from another.
Example Paddy Power:
Paddy Power are currently offering a £20 risk-free first bet. It must be your first bet after opening an account with Paddy Power, and the bet must be £20 – no more, no less. It can only be used on single bets, so no doubles, trebles or accumulators allowed. If you don’t succeed with the bet, you’ll get your £20 refunded in cash.
topAll you have to do is sign up at paddypower.com to claim your £20 risk-free first bet. After registering and making a deposit, you simply place your bet, choosing from thousands of betting markets, and activate the offer. If you lose, your refund be paid out within 6 hours.
*£20 risk-free first bet for new customers of Paddy Power
For most bonus offers promo codes are not used, mainly because the bonuses are calculated as you bet. In these cases neither an action with the customer or a special code is necessary. But, promo codes are often used with welcome offers, and so it is handy to know how to use them. Usually, if you don’t already know that a code is required, you will find a field in the registration in which you should fill or when you make a deposit. Checking for promo codes is important, because if you forget to use it then you will not receive the bonus.
Example 888sport:
Make sure to use the 30F promo code if you head over to 888 sport for their free bet welcome offer of up to £30 in free bets. You must place a bet of at least £10 before you will receive the free bet, but this can be placed on any sport. In the table below are the three simple steps that you must take before you get your free bet with 888sport! You can read our full review of 888sport right here.
Other Bonuses on Offer
Many bookmakers offer customers different bonuses on their mobile or tablet, which are always good to look out for. Often, if you place your first bet on your mobile or tablet then you will receive a free bet. If you want to find out more about mobile betting, then head over to our app page.
You will also find event specific offers for certain games or matches, and enhanced odds offers. Some bookies offer bonuses for certain leagues and sports, and some for betting in-play and live. The amount and variety of bonuses on offer is always changing, but you are sure to find something that interests you if you look around.
What You Need to Know about the Conditions
When you are choosing a betting sign up bonus or deciding upon a bet with an offer attached, it is always very important to read the terms and conditions. Each bonus you find behaves slightly differently when you look at it closely. One of the big differences, for example, is the number of roll overs you must make before you can claim your winnings. Some bonuses are directly added, whereas some need to be unlocked. If the roll over amount is really high, then you will find yourself spending a lot more money than you originally intended.
Also, it is important to note both the minimum odds and time periods of the bonus. Obviously, bookies don’t want customers using their offers on the very best bets with the best odds. Some level of risk is required and therefore minimum odds are put in place. The expiry periods of bonuses vary greatly, as some last forever while others last only for a few days or even just one day. To see an offer through, it is always required that you complete all your qualifying bets before the deadline, along with meeting all the other conditions.