Loading…

    United States
    18+Gamble responsibly

    3 licensed sportsbooks compared

    Best Betting Bonuses in the US for 2026

    Welcome offers from licensed sportsbooks in the US, ranked by value and fairness of the terms.

    By Legal Betting Reviews editorial team · Updated

    1. 1

      BetMGM

      Best rewards program

      9.1/10

      Welcome offer

      Get up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets if your first bet loses

      • High-value welcome offers
      • MGM Rewards points in the US

      21+. New customers only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Bonus bets expire in 7 days.

    2. 2

      bet365

      Best odds and market depth

      8.9/10

      Welcome offer

      Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets

      • Sharp odds across major sports
      • Unmatched live and soccer markets

      21+. New customers only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Bonus bets expire in 7 days.

    How we ranked them

    We compared the welcome offers of every licensed sportsbook in the US on real value after wagering requirements, minimum odds, time limits and how easy they are to claim. A large headline number with harsh terms ranks below a smaller, fairer offer.

    What to look for

    • Wagering requirements: lower is better, 1x to 5x is fair
    • Minimum odds and which bets count towards the rollover
    • How long you have to use the bonus
    • Whether winnings from free bets include the stake

    How US welcome offers work

    Welcome offers in the US come in a few standard shapes. A second-chance offer refunds your first bet as bonus bets if it loses. A bet-and-get offer gives you a fixed amount of bonus bets once you place a small qualifying wager, whether it wins or loses. Deposit matches, more common in casino than in sports betting, add a percentage of your first deposit as bonus funds.

    The key detail is that bonus bets are not cash. In most cases, when a bonus bet wins you receive only the profit, not the bonus stake, and bonus bets usually expire after a set number of days. Offers can also differ from state to state, and several regulators have restricted promotional wording such as risk-free, so always read the version shown in your state.

    The three offers in our ranking

    BetMGM ranks first, and its current welcome offer gives you up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first bet loses. It is a high ceiling, but you only get the full value if you place a large first bet and lose it, and its promo terms are more complex than most. Its biggest long-term advantage is MGM Rewards, which earns points on every bet that can be used at MGM resorts.

    bet365's offer is bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets. It suits bettors who want guaranteed bonus bets for a small stake, and its sharp everyday odds make it a good place to keep betting once the bonus is used. BetRivers offers a second-chance bet of up to $500, a lower ceiling than BetMGM's, and adds the iRush Rewards loyalty programme. It also has a smaller promotions calendar than the other two.

    Reading the fine print

    • Minimum odds: bonus bets often require a minimum price, so you cannot use them on heavy favourites.
    • Expiry: unused bonus bets typically expire after a fixed period, often a week or two.
    • Split rules: check whether the bonus is paid as a single bet or split into several smaller bonus bets.
    • Eligible markets: some offers exclude certain sports or bet types such as cash-out bets.
    • State limits: you must be in a state where the sportsbook is licensed to claim and use the offer.

    Keep the bonus in perspective

    A welcome offer is a one-time boost, not a reason to bet more than you planned. Choose the sportsbook whose everyday odds, markets and app suit you, and treat the bonus as a small extra. If a promotion pushes you to deposit more than you intended, that is a good moment to step back.