When betting on sport you may start to wonder – how to use bonus bets? Whether you are a beginner or seasoned sports gambler, you must understand what is a bonus bet, how bonus bets work, and how to use them to your advantage. On this page, we have all the information you need when learning how to use bonus bets to their maximum potential.
1. What are Bonus Bets?
Bonus bet deals are free bets offered by online bookmakers. In fact, you will sometimes see bonus bets referred to as a free bet bonus but for the purposes of this explainer, we will always use the term ‘bonus bets’. They can be offered at online bookmakers as a sign up bonus bet and to reward loyal customers. For example, you may have a promo code you can use in registration at an online bookmaker and doing so will give you a bonus bet. An example of such registration code would be our 1xbet promo code.
1.1 Bonus Bet Example
The best way to have bonus bets explained is to use an example. If you sign up to an online bookmaker and they give you a €10 bet bonus, you can use the funds to place a bet on a sporting event. There may be restrictions on the type of bet and odds you can use and this differs at each bookmaker.
Let’s say you decide to bet on the match between Inter Milan and Arsenal in the Champions League. You bet on Inter Milan to win at odds of 2.5 (6/4) and the bet is successful. You will receive €15 as a result of winning using a sport bet bonus. The reason for this is because you do not receive the stake back when betting using a bonus bet. The stake was free money given to you by the bookmaker and you do not get that back. This differs to a regular bet and if you had bet on Inter Milan to win and they were successful, you would have received €25, which is €15 profit plus your stake of €10.
2. How Can I Get Bonus Bets?
The most common way to get best bonus bet offers is to sign up at an online bookmaker running a promotion. Most online bookmakers have a promotion available for new sign-ups and this is based on the first deposit. When you make a first deposit you will receive the bonus funds into your account. Some online bookmakers may require you to place and settle a bet before they give you the bonus bet. You can claim exclusive bonus bets by using promo codes in registration and these often exceed the standard bonus amount.
You can receive a bonus bet as a money back offer if your bet loses or a specific outcome is met in the event. This is one of the best ways to get bonus bets because it is a risk free bet and you know, if the bet loses, you will receive a bonus bet to try again.
Some online bookmakers run a loyalty program and if you meet the criteria, such as placing X amount of bets per week, you will receive a bonus bet. This is perfect if you plan to bet regularly on the same platform.
Occasionally, you may receive a no deposit bonus bet. This is the most sought after of bonus bets because you do not have to deposit any of your own money to receive the bonus bet. However, they are also the most elusive and you should act quickly if you are offered a no deposit bonus bet 2026.
One of the key things to remember when learning how to use bonus bets is to always check the terms and conditions. All bonus bets will come with conditions you must follow to either activate the bet or use the bet. You can usually find the main terms when claiming the bonus bet and can include the following:
- Minimum deposit amounts
- Minimum odds
- Market restrictions
- Sports restrictions
- Bet type restrictions
- Maximum amount you can win
- Available payment methods
These will all differ depending on the bookmaker but will be clearly explained. In most cases, for smaller bonus bets, the restrictions are kept to a minimum. Additionally, many bookmakers provide robust options that make betting simpler and more enjoyable. Take a look at our article explaining how to use bet365 Bet Builder 2026.
Find The Best Bonus Bets Today!
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3. The Best Way to Use Bonus Bets
How to use bonus bets 2026 is straightforward. Simply choose an eligible sport and market, apply the bonus bet stake, and place your bet. However, if you want to use your bonus bet effectively, you can place a hedge bet at a different bookmaker. Hedging means placing a bet on the opposite outcome to the bonus bet. For example, you could bet on over 2.5 goals using your bonus bet funds and on under 2.5 goals at a different bookmaker using your own money. You must work out mathematically how to cover both outcomes and make a profit.
Alternatively, you can use the bonus bet as it is intended and that is to place a regular bet. Use your normal approach to sports betting. Using the Inter Milan vs Arsenal example, that would mean studying the form of both teams, player form/injuries, head to head record, weather conditions, and motivation to win.
If there are no minimum odds restrictions, you could bet on a highly likely outcome with low odds. The chances of the bet being successful are high and you can repeat the process with the winnings, building up your money from the bonus bet.
Of course, there's a vast world of topics surrounding the different types of bets. We provide a variety of articles on such topics. For example, you can read our article about bets on football transfers, including specific football transfer betting bonuses.
4. How to Use Bonus Bets – FAQ
4.1 🎁 What are bonus bets?
Bonus bets are free bets offered by bookmakers.
4.2 📲 How to get bonus bets?
You can get bonus bets by using promo codes, signing up at online bookmakers, through money back offers, and loyalty programs.
4.3 ✅ What is the best way to use bonus bets?
How to use bonus bets effectively involves making well-researched sports bets and hedge betting.
How to Use Bonus Bets
When betting on sport you may start to wonder – how to use bonus bets? Whether you are a beginner or seasoned sports gambler, you must understand what is a bonus bet, how bonus bets work, and how to use them to your advantage. On this page, we have all the information you need when learning how to use bonus bets to their maximum potential.
Contents
1. What are Bonus Bets?
Bonus bet deals are free bets offered by online bookmakers. In fact, you will sometimes see bonus bets referred to as a free bet bonus but for the purposes of this explainer, we will always use the term ‘bonus bets’. They can be offered at online bookmakers as a sign up bonus bet and to reward loyal customers. For example, you may have a promo code you can use in registration at an online bookmaker and doing so will give you a bonus bet. An example of such registration code would be our 1xbet promo code.
1.1 Bonus Bet Example
The best way to have bonus bets explained is to use an example. If you sign up to an online bookmaker and they give you a €10 bet bonus, you can use the funds to place a bet on a sporting event. There may be restrictions on the type of bet and odds you can use and this differs at each bookmaker.
Let’s say you decide to bet on the match between Inter Milan and Arsenal in the Champions League. You bet on Inter Milan to win at odds of 2.5 (6/4) and the bet is successful. You will receive €15 as a result of winning using a sport bet bonus. The reason for this is because you do not receive the stake back when betting using a bonus bet. The stake was free money given to you by the bookmaker and you do not get that back. This differs to a regular bet and if you had bet on Inter Milan to win and they were successful, you would have received €25, which is €15 profit plus your stake of €10.
2. How Can I Get Bonus Bets?
The most common way to get best bonus bet offers is to sign up at an online bookmaker running a promotion. Most online bookmakers have a promotion available for new sign-ups and this is based on the first deposit. When you make a first deposit you will receive the bonus funds into your account. Some online bookmakers may require you to place and settle a bet before they give you the bonus bet. You can claim exclusive bonus bets by using promo codes in registration and these often exceed the standard bonus amount.
You can receive a bonus bet as a money back offer if your bet loses or a specific outcome is met in the event. This is one of the best ways to get bonus bets because it is a risk free bet and you know, if the bet loses, you will receive a bonus bet to try again.
Some online bookmakers run a loyalty program and if you meet the criteria, such as placing X amount of bets per week, you will receive a bonus bet. This is perfect if you plan to bet regularly on the same platform.
Occasionally, you may receive a no deposit bonus bet. This is the most sought after of bonus bets because you do not have to deposit any of your own money to receive the bonus bet. However, they are also the most elusive and you should act quickly if you are offered a no deposit bonus bet 2026.
One of the key things to remember when learning how to use bonus bets is to always check the terms and conditions. All bonus bets will come with conditions you must follow to either activate the bet or use the bet. You can usually find the main terms when claiming the bonus bet and can include the following:
These will all differ depending on the bookmaker but will be clearly explained. In most cases, for smaller bonus bets, the restrictions are kept to a minimum. Additionally, many bookmakers provide robust options that make betting simpler and more enjoyable. Take a look at our article explaining how to use bet365 Bet Builder 2026.
Find The Best Bonus Bets Today!
3. The Best Way to Use Bonus Bets
How to use bonus bets 2026 is straightforward. Simply choose an eligible sport and market, apply the bonus bet stake, and place your bet. However, if you want to use your bonus bet effectively, you can place a hedge bet at a different bookmaker. Hedging means placing a bet on the opposite outcome to the bonus bet. For example, you could bet on over 2.5 goals using your bonus bet funds and on under 2.5 goals at a different bookmaker using your own money. You must work out mathematically how to cover both outcomes and make a profit.
Alternatively, you can use the bonus bet as it is intended and that is to place a regular bet. Use your normal approach to sports betting. Using the Inter Milan vs Arsenal example, that would mean studying the form of both teams, player form/injuries, head to head record, weather conditions, and motivation to win.
If there are no minimum odds restrictions, you could bet on a highly likely outcome with low odds. The chances of the bet being successful are high and you can repeat the process with the winnings, building up your money from the bonus bet.
Of course, there's a vast world of topics surrounding the different types of bets. We provide a variety of articles on such topics. For example, you can read our article about bets on football transfers, including specific football transfer betting bonuses.
4. How to Use Bonus Bets – FAQ
4.1 🎁 What are bonus bets?
Bonus bets are free bets offered by bookmakers.
4.2 📲 How to get bonus bets?
You can get bonus bets by using promo codes, signing up at online bookmakers, through money back offers, and loyalty programs.
4.3 ✅ What is the best way to use bonus bets?
How to use bonus bets effectively involves making well-researched sports bets and hedge betting.