Sportsbooks offer a variety of promotions to encourage users to sign up for an account. These offers can include a first-deposit match bonus, a risk-free bet, or a free bet for referrals. Many of these sportsbook promos are limited to a certain number of accounts, or they may have time restrictions. It’s best to check with a legal online sportsbook for details. The best sportsbook sites will also have a self-exclusion list, deposit limits, and session time limits.
One of the most popular offers in the US market is a risk-free bet. This is the most common type of first-time sportsbook bonus. In this promotion, you deposit a certain amount, and you receive a set number of free bets in return. Depending on the sportsbook, these can be in the form of a free bet or a site credit. If you don’t qualify for a risk-free bet, you can still be eligible for another promotion.
Another popular offer is a reload bonus. Typically, this sportsbook promotion will be offered as a percentage value, such as a 20% deposit match. You can expect to receive a reload bonus every time you deposit funds into your account. However, the value of a reload bonus varies from operator to operator. For example, at BetRivers, you can get a 100% deposit match up to $100, with a 1x playthrough requirement.
A refer-a-friend promotion is another common offer. When a friend joins through your link, you can earn a $25 to $50 free bet. Depending on the sportsbook, the promo will be valid for a set amount of time, or for the remainder of a calendar year. Some sportsbooks will even give you a percentage of the amount that your referral earns.
“Odds boosts” are another common sportsbook promotion. They are usually offered at Caesars Sportsbook, but they can be found at other legal online sports betting sites, as well. Odds boosts are a great way to make a profit without risking your own money. While you may not be able to earn the same upside with these types of odds boosts, they’re an effective way to build a solid bankroll.
A sportsbook’s “promotions” will vary, but most will have a playthrough requirement. As a general rule, these promotions will expire after a certain amount of time has passed. Most of the best sportsbooks will also have a self-exclusion listing for users who are suspected of gambling problems.
A sportsbook’s odds are an important feature to understand. These will show the favorite and underdog, with the implied probability of the outcome. The spread is often a good indicator of an even match, while the moneyline can indicate whether the underdog is a good bet. Spreads greater than 10 points may indicate a mismatch. Also, totals are a great tool to use for determining ballpark values. Totals can be used to identify games with high scoring and low scoring potential.
Some online sportsbooks even have sportsbook promo codes, which are available to all users. Promo codes can sometimes be confusing, but they can also yield a variety of different perks for sports bettors.