The best sportsbooks with bonus bets can reward your wagers, but rarely as much as the headline suggests. This is because a bonus bet returns the profit only and never hands back your stake, which is why the biggest headline number is rarely the best sportsbook bonus.
Up to $1,500 first bet offer
If your first bet loses
21+ in OH. $10 min bet req. Bonus Bets non-withdrawable, expire 7 days after receipt. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Bet $5 Daily
Get $1,000 in Bet Resets
21+ in OH. $5 min deposit req. Bonus Bets non-withdrawable, expire 7 days after receipt. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Bet $1
Get 10x Profit Boosts
21+ in OH. $1 min bet req. Profit Boosts expire 14 days after receipt. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Bet $5
Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly
21+ in OH. $5 min bet req. New Customer Offer Token expires 7 days after offer expiration. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
$1,000 First Bet Safety Net
or Bet $10 get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose
21+ in OH. Bonus Bets expire 7 days after receipt. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
This sports betting guide compares which sportsbooks and apps actually give bonus bets, then shows what each offer is really worth.
Best Sportsbooks With Bonus Bets
Which sportsbooks have bonus bets? We rated the sites below on what a bonus bet is really worth once the stake-not-returned mechanic is accounted for, alongside terms transparency, playthrough and minimum odds, market and app quality, and the responsible gambling tools each one offers.
BetMGM
21+ in OH. $10 min bet req. Bonus Bets non-withdrawable, expire 7 days after receipt. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
BetMGM leads our list for the way its bonus-bet offer pairs a straightforward bet-and-get structure with the wider BMG Rewards ecosystem, so the value does not end once the welcome bonus is used. The terms tend to read cleanly, which matters when you are working out what the offer is actually worth after the stake is not returned. When I tested the BetMGM app in [month bw_year], the bonus bet credited within 5 minutes of the qualifying bet settling.
Our full BetMGM review breaks down the terms, and you’ll want to check it is live in your state first.
FanDuel
21+ in OH. $5 min deposit req. Bonus Bets non-withdrawable, expire 7 days after receipt. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
FanDuel pairs its no sweat bet structure with one of the most polished apps in the US market, which helps it place second on our list. A losing qualifying bet comes back as bonus bets, so the real value still depends on the odds you stake them at once the stake is not returned. On the FanDuel app in [month bw_year], I found claiming the offer and locating the bonus bets fast and clearly signposted.
There is more in our FanDuel review, so long as it is licensed in your state.
Caesars
21+ in OH. $1 min bet req. Profit Boosts expire 14 days after receipt. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Caesars builds its bonus-bet offer around the Caesars Rewards tie-in, so the appeal is less about the headline and more about how credits feed into the wider loyalty program. The terms are the part to watch, since the minimum odds, expiry and qualifying-bet rules decide what the offer is really worth once the stake is not returned. My hands-on session in [month bw_year] showed the bonus bet was straightforward to locate and apply at the bet slip.
See our Caesars review for the full picture, and confirm it is licensed where you are.
bet365
21+ in OH. Bonus Bets expire 7 days after receipt. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
bet365 brings a deep, well-built betting product to its bonus-bet offer, with one of the widest market selections among the books on this list. The structure tends to be clear, but the qualifying bet, minimum odds and expiry are still what decide the real value without the stake coming back. Trying it out in [month bw_year], I found navigating between markets and applying the bonus bet quick and intuitive. Just check it is licensed in your state before signing up.
Read more about it in our bet365 review.
Fanatics
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Gambling problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER
Fanatics is the most distinctive offer on this list because its value runs through FanCash, the rewards currency you earn and then convert into bonus bets. That extra step is exactly where this page’s value question bites: what the FanCash is worth depends on how it converts and the odds you redeem it at, so the headline rarely reflects what you actually keep once the stake is not returned. Working through the app in [month bw_year], earning and converting FanCash into a bonus bet was clearly laid out.
See our Fanatics review for the full breakdown, and check it is licensed in your state.
DraftKings
21+ in OH. $5 min bet req. New Customer Offer Token expires 7 days after offer expiration. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
DraftKings stands out for bonus-bet activity that continues beyond the welcome offer, with regular promotions for existing customers and strong same game parlay value. As ever, the qualifying bet, minimum odds and expiry decide what each bonus bet is really worth once the stake is not returned. Using the app in [month bw_year], I found the ongoing bonus-bet promos easy to locate and the same game parlay builder quick to use.
Read more in our DraftKings review, once you confirm it is licensed in your state.
BetRivers
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Gambling problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER
BetRivers ties its bonus-bet offer to the iRush Rewards program, so value builds through loyalty alongside the first bet structure rather than resting on the welcome offer alone. The details that set what the bonus bet is actually worth are the minimum odds, expiry and qualifying bet, with the stake kept out of any winnings. Putting it through its paces in [month bw_year], I found tracking rewards progress and applying the bonus bet clear and well organized.
Our BetRivers review covers the rest, where it is licensed in your state.
How Sportsbook Bonus Bets Work
Sportsbooks with bonus bets usually issue them as a first bet or no sweat offer, where your opening qualifying bet is refunded as a bonus bet if it loses. So do bonus bets return the stake? No. When a bonus bet wins, the sportsbook returns the profit only and keeps the stake, so a winning bonus bet pays less than a cash bet of the same size. That single rule is why the headline figure overstates what you actually pocket, and it is the reason this page weighs offers on real value rather than the number on the banner.
The older promo labels you may remember are gone; US sportsbooks renamed those promotions to bonus bets after American Gaming Association and regulator scrutiny, and the rename matters because a bonus bet behaves differently, it returns winnings only.
A few terms shape what bonus bet offers are really worth:
- Playthrough (or wagering requirement) is how many times you may need to bet the credit before winnings unlock.
- Minimum odds set a floor on the price you can stake it at, which matters because longer odds change the expected return.
- Expiry is the window you have to use the bonus bet before it disappears.
None of these are fixed across the board, since the type, value, minimum odds and expiry vary by operator and state.
What a Bonus Bet Is Really Worth
Bonus bet offers return winnings only, so their true cash value is always below the headline figure, and exactly how far below depends on the odds you stake it at. Stake a bonus bet at short odds, and you lock in a small, likely return but keep very little profit. Stake it at longer odds, and the potential value rises, but your chance of winning anything at all falls. There is a sweet spot, and finding it is the whole game.
You can work your own numbers with our betting calculators, using the implied probability tool and the odds converter to see what any offer is really worth before you commit. For the full method behind the value calculation, read our science based betting guides.
The table below is the practical version. Run each row through the calculator rather than guessing, so the estimate stays accurate and shows the working.
| Headline bonus bet value | Odds staked at | Estimated cash value |
|---|---|---|
|
$100 |
−200 / 1.50 |
~$33 |
|
$100 |
+100 / 2.00 |
~$50 |
|
$100 |
+300 / 4.00 |
~$75 |
This is the honest answer to are bonus bets worth it and what is a bonus bet worth: yes, but for less than the banner says, and the gap is the part worth understanding before you choose a sportsbook.
Best Betting Apps With Bonus Bets
Most bonus bets are claimed and used on a phone, so when you pick a sportsbook with bonus bets, the app matters as much as the offer. Among the sportsbooks above, the best betting apps with bonus bets make the bonus easy to find, simple to apply at the bet slip, and quick to track once it is live.
A few things separate a good bonus-bet app from a frustrating one:
- Speed and stability during busy periods, so the app does not stall when you are placing a time-sensitive bet.
- How easy the bonus bet is to locate in-app, rather than buried under menus.
- A clear bet slip that shows the bonus bet applying before you confirm, with no guesswork.
If you’re wondering which betting apps give bonus bets, I went through the claim flow on each one myself across iOS and Android, and FanDuel and DraftKings stood out for the cleanest in-app bonus-bet flow, while BetMGM and bet365 paired strong stability with deep market access. The mini reviews above cover each one in detail, so use this as the quick app-quality read and head back up for the specifics.
How to Claim a Bonus Bet
Claiming bonus bet offers follows the same broad steps at any sportsbook, even though the exact terms differ by operator and state. Here is the order to work through:
1. Confirm eligibility
You must be 21 or over and physically located in a state where the sportsbook is licensed.
2. Choose a sportsbook and read the full terms
Pick one from the comparison above and check the qualifying bet, minimum odds, playthrough and expiry before you deposit, so you know what the offer is really worth.
3. Register and verify
Complete sign-up and the identity and age verification the operator requires.
4. Set a deposit limit, then deposit
Set a limit when prompted, then add funds using a supported payment method.
5. Place the qualifying bet, then use the bonus bet
Place the qualifying bet if one is required, then use the bonus bet within the stated window. Remember the stake is not returned on a winning bonus bet, so only the profit is paid.
For brand-specific promo codes and the latest offer details, head to the individual operator pages or our sportsbook promo codes page rather than relying on a code here.
Bonus Bets and Taxes
Are bonus bet winnings taxable? Yes. In the US, gambling winnings are taxable, and that includes winnings from a bonus bet. Depending on the amount and the type of bet, a sportsbook may issue a Form W-2G and report the win to the IRS, and you are responsible for reporting gambling income whether or not you receive one.
This is worth factoring into what a bonus bet is really worth to you, since the after-tax value sits below the cash figure you see paid out. You can get a sense of where you stand with our gambling tax calculator, though this is general buyer awareness rather than tax advice. For anything specific to your situation, check the current IRS guidance or speak to a tax professional.
Responsible Gambling in the US
A bonus bet should make betting more enjoyable, not become a reason to bet more than you intended. Every licensed US sportsbook is required to offer tools that help you stay in control, and they are worth setting up before you place your first bet:
- Deposit limits cap how much you can pay in over a day, week or month.
- Time-outs let you lock yourself out for a short, fixed period.
- Reality checks prompt you with how long you have been playing.
- Self-exclusion removes access for an extended period when you need a longer break.
If betting stops feeling like entertainment, confidential help is available. The National Council on Problem Gambling is the national nonprofit for gambling harm, and the National Problem Gambling Helpline offers 24/7 support and referral on 1-800-522-4700, with 1-800-GAMBLER used as the helpline in many states. Many states also run their own self-exclusion programs alongside the operator tools above.
We direct readers to these official services and review our responsible gambling guidance against them. You must be 21 or over to bet. Please play responsibly.
| Body | Role | Contact |
|---|---|---|
|
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) |
National nonprofit for gambling harm |
ncpgambling.org |
|
National Problem Gambling Helpline |
24/7 help and referral |
1-800-522-4700, text 800GAM |
|
1-800-GAMBLER |
State helpline used in many states |
Per state |
|
State self-exclusion programs |
Operator and state tools |
Per state |
Sportsbooks With Bonus Bets FAQ
Which sportsbooks have bonus bets?
All seven books on our list offer bonus bets: BetMGM, FanDuel, Caesars, bet365, Fanatics, DraftKings and BetRivers. Availability depends on your state, since each operator is only live where it holds a license, so the exact line-up you see will reflect where you are betting from.
Which betting apps give bonus bets?
The same operators run bonus-bet offers inside their iOS and Android apps. In our testing, FanDuel and DraftKings had the cleanest in-app bonus-bet experience, while BetMGM and bet365 paired strong stability with deep market access. Check the app is licensed in your state before signing up.
What is a bonus bet actually worth?
Less than its headline figure. A bonus bet returns the profit only and not the stake, so a winning bonus bet pays out less than a cash bet of the same size. The exact value depends on the odds you stake it at, which is why we run each offer through our betting calculators rather than taking the banner number at face value.
Are bonus bets worth it?
Often yes, as long as you understand the real value. A bonus bet has genuine worth, just below the advertised amount once the stake-not-returned mechanic is accounted for. The best approach is to compare offers on what you actually keep, not on the size of the headline.
Do I get my stake back from a bonus bet?
No. When a bonus bet wins, the sportsbook pays the profit and keeps the stake. This is the single most important thing to understand about how bonus bets work, and it is why the real value always sits below the headline figure.
Do bonus bets require a promo code?
Sometimes. Some offers apply automatically when you opt in and place a qualifying bet, while others need a code at sign-up. For current codes, check the individual operator pages or our sportsbook promo codes page rather than relying on a code listed here.
Are bonus bet winnings taxable?
Yes. In the US, gambling winnings are taxable, including those from bonus bets, and a large enough win may trigger a Form W-2G reported to the IRS. You are responsible for reporting gambling income, so factor the after-tax value into what an offer is really worth to you.
What is the difference between a bonus bet and a sportsbook promo?
A bonus bet is one specific type of promotion, a credit you stake where only the winnings are returned. Sportsbook promo is the broader umbrella, covering deposit matches, odds boosts, profit boosts and more. Bonus bets are one of the most common welcome offers, but they are not the only kind of promo a sportsbook runs.
