The best promos are given to new users of a sportsbook. The exact promo offer will vary by sportsbook but here is a rundown of the most common types.

Free Bets/No Deposit Bonus:

No-deposit bonuses are simple: you sign up to an account and on registration you are given a free bet. You do not need to deposit but it is usually for new accounts only.

Risk-Free Bets:

With a risk-free bet you have the chance to place a wager where if you lose you get credited back the amount you lost in the form of a free bet. They are essentially a bet where you can’t lose, e.g. you place a risk-free $20 bet on the Patriots to win but they lose, you get a $20 free bet.

Deposit/Match Bonus:

Matched Bonuses are usually on your first deposit only. It requires you to deposit and the sportsbook will match your deposit amount or a % of your deposit. There are typically playthrough requirements to release these bonuses. In some cases there might only be a 1x playthrough requirement but others can be up to 50x. The latter makes the offer not as attractive because you will have to make a lot of bets before your bonus money is available to withdraw.

Reload Bonus:

Reload bonus are offered from time to time. You re-deposit money into an already established account and get some form of site credit. It is usually in the form of a matched bonus.

Refer A Friend:

This is a bonus you get for referring a friend to register a new account with one of the sportsbooks or casinos. When they complete their account registration, make a deposit or place their first bet you get credit to your account. The exact form of credit depends on your specific provider’s offer.

Insurance/Refund/Cashback:

Will be a refund/site credit on net losses or a % of net losses. These are usually subject to certain playthrough requirements and a specified timeframe.

Odds Boosts:

The player receives better odds for a particular sporting event.
Example: a boxer who is +120 to win a fight might be boosted to +140 on a particular site. This gives extra value to the bettor.

Loyalty/Bonus Programs:

Bonuses and VIP Awards are given when you play through a certain amount of money and are usually released in small increments. Some sportsbooks may offer these VIP rewards in the form of tickets to sporting events for high volume/ high wagering bettors. Not all sportsbooks offer VIP Rewards.