At first glance, a sports betting bonus seems relatively simple: the player deposits a certain amount and receives a bonus on their account. However, the most important aspect lies in the conditions attached to these bonuses. How many times do you need to wager the bonus? What are the minimum odds? Are all sports bets eligible? Significant differences exist between betting sites, and our comparison focuses on these essential parameters:

• Bonus amount
• Bonus percentage
• Minimum deposit
• Minimum odds
• Turnover conditions
• Turnover period
• Availability
• Payment methods

For many players, the maximum bonus amount is a key factor. However, we believe the turnover conditions are more critical when choosing the best betting sites. For example, while a 200% bonus up to $100 might seem appealing, the turnover requirements determine its actual value. Similarly, some offers, like a 400% bonus with a $10 deposit cap, result in a $40 bonus but might have easier conditions to meet. The most common signup offer remains a 100% bonus up to $100.

The bonus conditions are in detail

The terms of a bonus—also referred to as “rollover,” turnover, or wagering requirements—define what must be fulfilled before the bonus can be withdrawn. The main factor is the amount to wager, which varies between betting providers. Consider these examples:

Wager 3x bonus: For a $100 bonus, you must wager $300.

Wager 3x bonus + 3x deposit: For a $100 bonus, with a $100 deposit, you must wager $600.

Minimum odds also play a role in bonus turnover. Requirements may specify total odds (e.g., 2.00) or minimum odds for each bet (e.g., 1.50). Bookmakers may combine these conditions. For instance, single bets might require odds of at least 2.00, while combination bets may demand minimum odds of 1.50 for each selection.

Most bonuses come with a turnover period—the time frame to meet wagering requirements—usually around 30 days. In some cases, offers expire after a specific number of days from bonus activation or the first deposit. Another important factor is the eligibility of payment methods; some payment options might not qualify for bonuses.

Furthermore, a sports betting bonus can also have an expiry date in the general terms and conditions. However, some offers are valid for an unlimited period, which is why we attach great importance to keeping all data up to date for you. It is also worth taking a look at whether certain payment methods are excluded from receiving the bonus. It is possible that you can deposit with this method at the bookmaker, but this does not entitle you to receive the free bonus on registration. Therefore, it is always important to analyse a bookmaker’s offers before opening a betting account. See for instance our Paripesa review, in which you find detailed information about the bookie’s welcome bonus offers as well as the payment options available.

Betting bonus glossary – what do the different terms mean?

One of the biggest challenges for sports betting newbies is understanding the many different terms used in the betting bonus world. In the next few paragraphs, we will try to list all the common terms in an ABS glossary and explain them. This should clarify any misunderstandings about betting bonuses.

New customer bonus / sign-up bonus / first-time deposit bonus

A first deposit bonus, which is specifically aimed at new customers, is the classic offer from bookmakers. Usually, you receive information about signup bonus offers when registering an account with a bookie for the first time. See for instance our Paripesa registration guide for reference. As a rule, these signup bonus offers can only be claimed once per player and are subject to certain conditions. This type of promotion usually does not change often, mostly there are only small changes in the conditions. The new customer sports betting bonus is also often advertised and integrated into the registration procedure. See, for instance, this screenshot from the Hellobet registration form, where you get to choose whether you want to opt for the Hellobet Bonus for sports betting or casino, or whether you want to reject the bonus altogether.

Why reject a bonus, you may ask? In many cases, the bonus conditions tie the bonus amount to the deposit amount. That means, that you cannot withdraw any of your winnings until you have wagered both deposit and bonus amount on bets under certain conditions (e.g. minimum odds).

Reload Bonus

Players are usually offered a reload bonus individually. These promotions are sent to the user by e-mail and can then be redeemed during a certain period. The bookmakers reward their frequent players with such promotions, which you should definitely use. The turnover conditions are often easier than with the normal welcome bonus.

Cashback Bonus

With the cashback bonus, the betting provider returns a percentage of lost credit to the user. For example, if you gamble away €200 in a month and you are granted a 20% cashback bonus, €40 will be returned to your betting account in the form of bonus credit. Also, these are promotions that are most of the time awarded individually to the players.

Mobile Bonus

Only very few providers have a mobile sports betting bonus in their portfolio. In these cases, a small bonus amount is credited to your betting account for downloading and using the bookie’s native app or the mobile version. However, since almost all users these days access a betting provider’s site via smartphone or tablet, these types of promotions are becoming rarer and rarer.

Friendship bonus

Just like the mobile betting bonus, the majority of bookmakers no longer offer a “refer-a-friend” bonus. In this case, you must recruit a friend to register an account with the bookie, usually via a certain link or using a code. The recruited friend must then deposit a certain amount and also lose their bets for the original user to receive his bonus. While this kind of bonus offer is becoming much less frequent, there are still providers who rely on this form of advertising.

Free bet

The free bet as a substitute for a bonus is becoming increasingly popular with bookmakers. Here, a free bet is awarded for the first lost bet in the amount of the stake (usually up to €100). If you lose your first-placed sports bet, you will receive a 100€ free bet credited to your account. However, you should distinguish whether the entire winnings are paid out afterward or whether only the net winnings (winnings minus stake) are credited. In some cases, you get a free bet credited directly with the freebet bonus without having to place and lose a bet first. See, for example, this free bet welcome bonus offer at UK bookmaker Boylesports below:

Regional Variations in Betting Bonus Offers

Sports betting welcome bonuses are as diverse as the regions they target, shaped by cultural preferences, popular sports, and local regulations. While the core principle—rewarding new customers for joining a platform—remains the same, the structure and terms of these bonuses can vary dramatically. From cricket-focused promotions in India to accumulator-friendly bonuses in Africa, understanding these regional conventions is key to maximizing your betting experience. Below, we explore how bookmakers tailor their offers to different markets, starting with Africa.

Betting Welcome Bonus Offers from India Bookies

In India markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, and South Africa, welcome bonuses often revolve around first-time deposit offers. The typical format is a 100% match bonus, where the bookmaker doubles your initial deposit. These bonuses usually come with straightforward conditions, such as:

Wagering Requirements: Bonus and deposit amounts must often be wagered multiple times.

Minimum Odds: Bets must meet minimum odds, frequently set at 1.50 or higher.

Accumulator Bets: Many bookies encourage accumulator bets to fulfill wagering requirements.

Payment methods are tailored to local preferences, including mobile money solutions like M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and localized bank transfers. Be sure to check terms regarding eligible payment methods and turnover periods, as they vary across bookmakers. These are some of the most popular betting sites bonus offers at bookmakers in Africa: