Are you looking to enhance your betting experience by taking advantage of a deposit match bonus? Then, do not look any further. As one of the most popular betting bonuses, a deposit match bonus can be found in almost every online sportsbook.

Gambling operators offer these incentives as a way of attracting new members to their platforms. On the other hand, deposit match bonuses give punters free cash that they can use to place bets on their favorite sporting events.

In this guide, we will take a closer look at everything that concerns match deposit bonus offers. This includes the requirements of these bonuses, the different types available, as well as the common deposit-matched bonus amounts offered by sportsbooks.

What is a deposit match bonus?

A deposit match bonus is when a sportsbook awards you free betting credits by matching your initial deposit. Normally, the amount that the sportsbook will match shall depend on the terms and conditions of the promotional offer. However, this will always be expressed as a percentage. The most common deposit match bonuses are either 50%, 75%, or 100% of the deposited amount.

For instance, a betting website may offer a 100% match deposit bonus of up to $500. This basically means that if you make a deposit of $500, the site will add $500 to your betting account as credit. Similarly, another sportsbook may provide a 50% match deposit bonus of up to $1,000. In this case, if you make a deposit of $1,000, you will receive $500 in your account.

Matched deposit bonuses are mostly awarded as welcome offers to new players when they first register at an online gambling site in the USA. When offered as such, they are also referred to as first deposit bonuses. Nevertheless, some sportsbooks also provide them to existing members as part of ongoing promotions. Keep in mind that deposit match bonuses come with various requirements including wagering and validity periods. We are going to discuss these requirements later in this article.

Why US bettors love deposit match bonuses

Undoubtedly, deposit match bonus offers are great. Betting enthusiasts in the United States love them because they provide a lot of benefits that can enhance their betting experiences. The following are some of the biggest advantages of these bonuses:

  • Doubles your deposit – The biggest advantage of a matched bonus is that it doubles your deposit. This means that apart from the deposit amount, you get additional money to bet on available sporting events. Normally, the more you deposit, the more bonus you get. However, keep in mind that the betting site will only honor the bonus offer up to the maximum. For instance, for a bonus that is capped at $1,000, you can only receive an equivalent amount even if you deposit $50,000.
  • Helps build a bankroll – If you’re starting out as a punter, you should have a betting bankroll. With a matched deposit bonus especially as a new member, you get a healthy boost right from the start. The good thing is that you can use this bankroll to place bets and end up winning real money winnings. This helps you to build and grow it even further, which can lead to a prolonged betting experience.
  • Bettors can try out new games and bet types – Armed with extra bonus funds in your account, you can explore new games that you ordinarily wouldn’t try with your own money. Apart from that, you will also have the confidence of placing more risky bet types. For instance, you can place a bet on an underdog and even if it loses, your bankroll won’t take a huge hit.
  • No risk to your own funds when using the bonus – Another reason why US punters love deposit-matched bonuses is that there is no risk to their own money. This basically means that one can place as many bets as they like without having any worries about impending losses. In addition, a bettor doesn’t need to risk the entire deposit match bonus on a single bet as is the case with most risk-free bets.

When will I get a deposit match bonus?

There are mainly two ways to get a deposit match bonus, either as a new sign-up or as a VIP customer. Read more about the different types of deposit match bonuses below:

  • Sign-up deposit match bonus – Normally, a majority of online sportsbooks in the US will award a sign-up deposit match bonus when you register for the first time. Also known as a welcome bonus, this incentive is only available for those who manage to create a new user account at a particular site. However, you won’t be able to make use of a sign-up bonus until you make your first deposit. In addition, some platforms will need you to enter a promo code to activate the free funds. And once you do all that, the sportsbook will match your deposit by a certain percentage.
  • Loyalty deposit match bonus – When you play at a sportsbook for an extended period of time, you will have the chance of joining a VIP loyalty program. Betting sites offer these programs as a way of retaining existing members and motivating them into placing more bets. When you become a VIP member, you will benefit from loyalty deposit match bonuses. Just like other betting incentives, such offers come with wagering requirements that you must meet before you’re able to withdraw winnings.

Requirements of deposit match bonuses

Online betting platforms don’t just dish out freebies, and that is why they include some terms and conditions on their matched deposit offers. By reading and understanding the fine print, you will know what you are required of when taking advantage of bonuses. Here are some of the most common requirements associated with matched deposit offers.

  • Game selection – With a deposit match bonus offer, you cannot have your cake and eat it too. Though you will have access to free money, you can only use it on selected games. Apart from that, not all games will count equally toward the wagering requirements. While some games will contribute 100%, others will be partially eligible. In fact, there are ineligible games that will not count at all.
  • Bet type – Other betting sites will limit the use of a deposit match bonus on certain bet types. This means you won’t have the privilege of choosing the betting option you like and prefer. For example, a sportsbook may only allow you to place money lines and not parlays when using such a bonus.
  • Wagering requirements – When choosing a first deposit match bonus, always look at the wagering requirements. These requirements define how many times you must play through the bonus before you are permitted to cash out your winnings. While some bonuses will come with a 1x wagering requirement, others will have 60x or even more. Additionally, wagering may be needed on the deposit, bonus funds, or both.
  • Can’t withdraw – You will often face challenges when making withdrawals if you don’t satisfy the requirements for wagering. Therefore, always know what is required of you so that you don’t find it difficult while cashing out winnings from your account.
  • Limited time only – Usually, there will be a limited period of time in which you’re supposed to complete the wagering requirements of a deposit-matched bonus. This is contained in the bonus terms and conditions and varies from sportsbook to sportsbook. If you do not manage to meet the requirements within this specified time duration, your bonus cash will expire, plus any winnings generated from it.

Common match deposit bonus amounts

As we have said previously, deposit-matched bonuses involve a sportsbook matching your first deposit by a specific percentage. Most of the time, this percentage is 100%, though some sites may offer lower or higher than this. Let us look at the most common deposit bonus amounts offered by sportsbooks operating in the United States:

25%

A 25% bonus is normally the smallest that you can take advantage of at a betting site. Mostly, it comes with favorable terms and conditions such as low wagering requirements and longer validity periods. With such a bonus, your deposit will be matched up to 25%. For example, with a $300 deposit, you will receive an extra $75. Thus, the total amount you will get in your account will be $375.

50%

You will not find a shortage of betting sites offering the 50% deposit match bonus. It is the second most common in the US after its 100% counterpart. In this bonus, the sportsbook will match your initial deposit by 50%. Therefore, if you deposit $1,000, the site will credit an additional $500 into your account. Consequently, you will have a total bankroll of $1,500 that you can use to place wagers on your favorite sports.

100%

This is the most common matched deposit bonus amount found at many betting sites. It is also the most popular among betting enthusiasts since it doubles the amount of the first deposit. However, it usually comes with high wagering requirements, meaning you’ll have to play it through many times before you can withdraw winnings.

A 100% bonus works in a very simple way. For example, let’s say a particular betting site is offering a 100% match deposit bonus of up p to $1,000. This means if you deposit $500, you will get an extra $500 as bonus funds. As a result, you will have a total of $1,000 in your account to start your betting experience.

200%

You will also find a considerable number of sportsbooks offering deposit match bonuses of up to 200%. For example, a betting site may provide a 200% bonus of up to $1,000. This means if you make a first deposit of $200, you will receive an extra $400. As a result, you will end up with a total of $600 in your account.

300%

Though not many online sports betting sites offer a 300% matched deposit bonus, a few do. However, this offer usually comes with restrictive terms and conditions such as short validity periods. For example, you may receive a 300% bonus that expires in 7 days. This means if you don’t make use of the bonus funds within the stipulated time period, the betting site will cancel it and remove it from your account.

FAQ

What is the best deposit match bonus?

The best deposit match bonus available at US betting sites is the sign-up bonus. It is awarded to a new member once they create a new user account. A sign-up deposit match bonus offer adds free cash to your bankroll, hence enabling you to launch your betting journey in the best way possible.

Do all sportsbooks in the US offer a deposit match bonus?

No, not all sportsbooks in the US offer a deposit match bonus. However, a large majority of them do. With the cut-throat competition in the online betting industry, every operator wants to stand out from the crowd. Offering deposit match bonuses is a great way of attracting new customers to their websites and retaining the existing ones.

Do you always need a sportsbook promo code to receive a deposit match bonus?

No, you don’t always need a sportsbook promo code to receive a deposit match bonus. The availability of a promo code depends on the betting site and its terms and conditions. If a promo code is needed, you must enter it in order to activate the free money. However, if it's not, simply claim the bonus and the free cash will be instantly credited into your account.