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How We Pick Bonuses & Promotions

As experts at BetZillion, we know how important promotions are for online betting. Hence, we’re always on the lookout for quality deals that you and all our readers can claim. You can learn how we pick and rank all bookmaker bonuses from this guide.

A lot of factors come into play when choosing the best bookmaker offers. First, we analyze the terms and conditions, focusing more on the wagering requirement and validity period. Next, our experts consider feedback from existing bettors. We also don’t skip the sportsbook’s reputation and the type of bonuses available. With all these, you can fully trust the sites on our list.

Terms and Conditions

Before you get your hands on any bonus, you should look at its T&Cs. That’s the first thing we dive into when we review a bonus. Analyzing those means going through the full set, including the wagering requirements, the time you must complete them, and other tidbits of info, such as the maximum wager you can place when using the bonus funds.

Additionally, betting sites have unique bonuses and promotions for each game type. That is, while some bonuses and promos apply strictly to sports betting, others strictly apply to casino betting. We explore the terms and conditions to evaluate these differences, identify the bonuses and promos for each betting type, and suggest them accordingly.

We understand that reading through the long list of T&Cs regarding bonuses and promotions can be discouraging for you. That’s why we do it: flesh out the key components and suggest the best ones for betting. We do this to help you make a timely and informed decision.

Bettors Reviews

A practical approach we adopt to get authentic information about the bookies we analyze is creating an account with them. Doing this helps us generate a personalized understanding of bookies’ offers. While that is remarkably helpful, picking the best bonuses and promotions is sometimes insufficient.

As a result, we look at what bettors have been saying before analyzing the bookmakers’ offers. We always take this approach as other bettors’ real opinions are significant to construct a transparent review.

20Bet User Reviews
20Bet User Reviews
William Hill User Reviews
Betway User Reviews
LVBET User Reviews
22Bet User Reviews

When betting sites leverage the efficacy of adverts and promotions, reading bettors’ reviews is the best way to cut through the noise. It’s also an effective way to see how useful bettors find the bonuses and promotions. After all, a bonus is as good as its utility.

Overall Bookmaker Reputation

A bookie you can trust will enjoy a stellar reputation online. We always cross-check our opinions with other bettors’ and experts’ opinions, inspecting each site section, including the bonuses and promos. This approach helps us rate bookmakers we suggest to our readers.

You can check our How We Rate Bookmakers page to learn more about the thorough process. A key aspect of our rating is scrutinizing the bookmakers’ reputation. A bookmaker’s reputation depends on the quality of betting products and services they offer.

We also understand that it depends on their consistency in providing satisfactory betting products and services. So, we only choose bonuses and promotions from bookmakers with excellent reputations from when they got into the market until now.

Types of Bonuses

While free bets and welcome bonuses are most common, you can earn a different betting bonus depending on the bookie you sign up with. Free bets are great, but daily, weekly, or monthly reloads and cashback, as well as other freebies, can boost your bankroll pretty nicely.

Welcome Bonus

The welcome bonus is the most common type of freebie at betting sites. It’s available on registration and is usually a free bet or deposit bonus. If it’s a free bet, you don’t have to deposit it in your bet wallet to get it. But if it’s a deposit bonus, you must fund your account to get it. Whatever the case with your betting site, you must understand how the welcome bonus works.

Welcome Bonuses Pros Welcome Bonuses Cons
  • Explore the online sportsbook at your own pace and ensure if it’s really the best choice for you.
  • Welcome bonus usage process is straightforward and not complicated, even for newcomers to the betting world.
  • You may earn a large payout without making a significant deposit, or none at all if the sign-up bonus is deposit-free.
  • You must always read bonus terms carefully to guarantee its authenticity.
  • Most sign-up offers may involve a deposit or initial bet, so they aren’t entirely risk-free when you bet with real money.

In most cases, welcome bonuses have wagering requirements, minimum odds, and a validity period. The wagering requirement is when you’re expected to turn over the welcome bonus several times to claim your winnings.

The minimum odds are the least acceptable odds to wager on, and the validity period is how long the bonus will last.

Deposit Bonus

As the name explains, a deposit bonus is a bonus you get when you fund your account. It can cover a portion of your deposit or 100% of it, which is common for welcome bonuses. Note that deposit bonuses aren’t solely for new customers. Existing customers also get them as a reward for loyalty to the bookmaker.

It’s common for most betting sites to offer this type of bonus to attract customers. Hence, the value may differ from one bookie to another. Instead of suggesting deposit bonuses that only have a high value, we suggest those with the highest value and achievable requirements.

There’s no point in acquiring a bonus you cannot use. So, we ensure we analyze deposit bonus offers from every bookie and pick those our readers can use for their online betting needs.

No Deposit Bonus

A no-deposit bonus doesn’t require you to fund your account to get a deposit. It isn’t free, though – it also comes with certain terms and conditions. For example, most bookmakers only make the no-deposit bonus available for new customers. Additionally, you must meet a minimum number of odds to use the bonus.

They also have restricted markets, implying you can use the bonus for all betting markets. Another notable condition for the no-deposit bonus is that they have expiry dates, and you must use them before the date.

We suggest this bonus type based on how achievable their terms and conditions are. Despite that, bettors are also responsible for meeting the bonus terms to use them for specific bet types.

Free Bets

Free bets are among the favorite betting bonuses you can earn. They are usually given on sign-up but can also be part of other promos later. Unlike their name, they are not 100% free. Bookmakers sometimes require bettors to deposit some amount to get them. Bettors may also get them as a reward for deposits and stakes.

Like other bonuses, free bets have terms and conditions for use. We pick this type of bonus after evaluating its requirements. For example, players can only claim some free bets once. Another example is that you may only use free bets if you take a high amount that the bookie will note.

Free Bets Pros Free Bets Cons
  • Major online bookmakers’ free bets offers cover diverse markets, they include various sports betting markets, live betting, and special events.
  • Free bets often come with extended expiration dates, it provides ample time for promotion use.
  • Simple usage makes free bets ideal for newcomers into betting.
  • Versatility allows you to apply most free bets to various bet types and odds, without restrictions to a single wager.
  • Free bets offer a low-risk way for punters to get to know the platform.
  • Diverse promotions cater to many betting styles and strategies for long-term benefits.
  • No deposit free bets provide a possibility to win real money without risking your personal funds.
  • Many top sportsbooks offer mobile apps for convenient use of free bets while on the go.
  • Free bet offers often need spending all credits at once.
  • You must thoroughly read terms to prevent yourself from potential issues with your betting account.
  • Limits on betting options do exist in certain promotions.
  • Some promotions restrict free bets to specific types of bets with set odds.
  • Certain offers require a large deposit to claim the bonus.

So, we ensure that the wagering amount is reasonable and achievable whether a player is a regular bettor or a high roller.

Bonuses for Loyal Players

A sportsbook can also decide to provide loyalty rewards for its most loyal clients. These bookmakers offer improved deals through bigger and better bonuses and special perks.

Of course, these bonuses are for loyal customers who bet regularly, so remember that you need to spend more to enter the exclusive club. For most bookies, joining their exclusive club requires an invitation.

Qualifying for this invitation depends on how high and constant your deposits and stakes are. Betting sites have an automated tracking system that monitors each bettor’s activities to determine who qualifies for the invitation. Once you get it, it opens you up to many attractive offers.

If you think you’ve fulfilled the notable requirements for this invitation but have not gotten it, consider contacting customer support to make your claims. They will evaluate your account, confirm your qualifications, and provide the invitation.

Conclusion

While betting with real cash is necessary for online betting, getting and using bonuses makes betting more exciting without risking personal cash. Bonuses also help you diversify your winning chances to the point that you can expect to win using personal cash or a betting bonus.

If you’re wondering what a betting bonus is, you only need to read our guide on how we rate them. You can earn plenty of great deals at legit betting sites, and we’ve ranked them all for your convenience.

Note that you must meet the requirements of each bonus offer from the legit betting site you select. It would help if you also used the bonuses within the stipulated time to avoid losing them. Remember that the more bonuses you accumulate, the better your betting experience.

Some bonuses are better than others for specific game types. With our guide to betting bonuses, you can compare the top offers and learn which will suit you better. Read our BetZillion in-depth bookie reviews to see which site is best for you.