Welcome offers explained
Free bets, deposit matches and bet-and-get offers explained, with the terms that decide what an offer is really worth.
By the Sportsbooks Editorial Team · Updated October 27, 2026
A welcome offer can add real value to a first deposit, but the headline figure tells you little. The terms decide what it is worth. Our ratings give welcome offer terms 15% of the score (outside Ontario) and judge them on these terms, not on the size of the number.
The common types
- Bet and get: place a qualifying bet (for example 10) and receive free bets (for example 30), often whether the first bet wins or loses.
- Deposit match: the sportsbook adds a percentage of your first deposit as bonus funds, up to a limit.
- Second-chance bet (sometimes called a "no-sweat" or "risk-free" bet): if your first bet loses, you get the stake back as a bonus or free bet, not as cash.
- Odds boost: a better price than usual on a chosen selection.
The terms that decide the value
| Term | What to check |
|---|---|
| Wagering requirement | How many times the bonus must be bet before you can withdraw. Lower is better. |
| Minimum odds | Bets below this price don't count, which pushes you toward riskier selections. |
| Expiry | Free bets and bonus funds that aren't used in time disappear. |
| Stake returned | Whether a free bet pays the stake back with the winnings. It usually doesn't. |
| Eligible markets | Some offers exclude live bets, cash-out or certain sports. |
| Payment methods | Some e-wallets don't qualify for the offer. |
Market rules you should know
- UK: since 19 January 2026, wagering requirements are capped at 10x, and a single bonus can no longer mix betting with casino or other products. Significant terms must be shown next to the offer.
- US: offers and terms differ from state to state, and you must be located in an eligible state when you claim and use the offer.
- Ontario: bonuses cannot be advertised publicly, so comparison sites, including this one, don't show them. You will see offers on the sportsbook's own site after you visit it.
A quick worked example
A "bet 10, get 30 in free bets" offer, with the free bets paid as three 10 free bets, stake not returned, minimum odds 1.50:
- Three free bets at 2.00 each, if all win, pay 10 profit each: 30 in cash.
- At odds of 1.50 they would pay 5 each: 15.
- On average, after the sportsbook's margin, the offer is worth noticeably less than its 30 headline.
Read the full terms before you claim anything, and never deposit more than you planned just to unlock a bigger offer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get the stake back on a free bet?
Usually not. Most sportsbooks pay only the winnings from a free bet, not the free-bet stake. A 10 free bet at 3.00 typically pays 20, where a cash bet at the same price would return 30.
What is a wagering requirement?
The number of times you must bet the bonus, and sometimes the deposit, before you can withdraw it. In the UK, wagering requirements are capped at 10x since 19 January 2026.
Why can't I see bonuses for Ontario?
Ontario's rules prohibit public advertising of bonuses and inducements, including on comparison sites. Ontario sportsbooks show their offers only on their own sites, to players who visit them.