A sign up bonus is a great way to pad your bankroll and become a winner before you’ve even placed your first bet.
Many online sportsbooks offer new players this great incentive to gain your business as the online sportsbook industry is an ultra competetive one.
A bonus is usually awarded according to what your initial deposit is. Example:
You are going to sign up at a book that offers a 20% real cash bonus. (Note that real cash and match plays are 2 different creatures, a match play is worth half as much as a real cash bonus is.) Let’s say your going to deposit $500. Once you’ve done so, the bookie will add 20% to your balance which is $100.
If you think your a wisecracker and are going to skate off with this bonus loot risk free without making a bet, you better think twice. The books have security measures in place to make sure this doesn’t happen. In fact, if you think your going to abuse the bonus offer in any which way, shape or form, don’t even waste your time. If they suspect foul play they cover themselves in the fine print that it’s for recreational bettors and they can rescind it at any time and believe us when we say you have no recourse.
The bonus is simply meant to be an incentive for REAL PLAYERS who are interested in giving the sportsbook good action over a long period of time. Hit and run players simply aren’t welcome. (aka bonus whores.)
As another way of covering themselves, many online bookies require that you roll the bonus money over a minimum of 6-10x without withdrawing it for a minimum of thirty days. Some even longer. This isn’t to keep your loot hostage, they just want to insure that your an asset to their business rather than a client who offers them no value. Booking is a business. If they gave away free money and got rooked by bonus whores they’d simply not be able to stay in business. So again, don’t try to abuse the free money, it ain’t gonna get you anywhere.
Should you win and meet your bonus rollover requirements (you can decline bonuses by the way!) you will be eligible to make a withdrawal.
Related: A Note About Bonuses.
