With so many options for sports betting, smart online sportsbooks know that they have to do something extra to convince potential customers to play with them and not their rivals. Some have tried introducing reward points. Others offer boosted odds. However, the one method which attracts customers like none other, is giving them free money.
It might sound too good to be true, but it’s not. With 4.33 billion dollars in revenue generated by US sportsbooks in 2021 alone, online sports betting sites can afford to give the player an initial risk free bet. And the beautiful thing is that as more US states legalize online sports betting, the industry gets more valuable, the market gets more competitive, and the free bet offers just keep getting better.
The only question is, what are the best sports betting sites that offer free bets? Well, the answer to that is kind of complicated. Because with betting sites constantly competing with one another, new offers are coming out pretty much every week — so the best offer last month might not even be in the top five this month.
But to this, our chief editor has set our research team the task of monitoring all legal betting sites in the US for the best free bet offers so that we could collect and present all the information on one page.
5 Top Betting Apps with Free Money Bonuses June 2023
Up To $1,000 Deposit Bonus
- Promo Code: NO CODE REQUIRED
- Android & iPhone Mobile Apps
- In game betting
Up To $1,000 Deposit Bonus
Up To $1,000 In Bonus Bets
- Promo Code: GAMBLEUSA
- Android & iPhone Mobile Apps
- One game parlay feature
First Bet Is On Caesars Up To $1,250
- Promo Code: GUSABFULL
- Caesars rewards
- In game-betting
Up To $500 2nd Chance Bet
- Promo Code: SPORTS
- Awesome mobile app
- Live dealer games
No Sweat First Bet Up To $2,500
- Promo Code: NO CODE REQUIRED
- Fast & Secure payouts
- Multiple bet types
No Sweat First Bet Up To $2,500
Here it is. Without further ado, we present the best betting apps that offer free money bonuses.
DraftKings App: $1,000 Free Betting
At this point, DraftKings is a household name. While once they may have only been in the daily fantasy sports market, since the legalization of online gambling they’ve moved into both online casinos and sports betting.
DraftKings currently offers a 20% first deposit bonus of up to $1,000. The only drawback to the DraftKings bonus is that the redemption process of their offer is much more complicated than others on this list, as funds are released intermittently at a rate of $1 for every $25 you bet. This means to get the full $1,000 bonus, you not only need to deposit $5,000 — but also bet a total of $25,000.
However, the best thing is that after your first $5 minimum sports betting deposit, DraftKings will add $50 free money in your account. It cannot be withdrawn, but any winnings can come through.
DraftKings is available in AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY.
BetMGM App: Risk-Free Money Betting
The King of the Sportsbook is the title claimed by BetMGM — and with their welcome offer of a $1,000 risk free bet, it’s a title rightfully earned. This bonus only applies to your first bet and is triggered if your bet loses, awarding you up to $1,000 back in free bets. There’s nothing too complicated with this bonus. You either win your first bet and get paid, or you’ll get reimbursed the full amount if you lose.
Just make sure to use code GAMBLEUSA on sign-up.
Free bets are also provided through regular promotions running on BetMGM Sportsbook, tied to specific events. For example, when you place a $5 free bet on NFL, you can get a free bet of $50.
BetMGM is available in AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, MS, NJ, NV, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY.
Caesars App: Rewards & $1,250 Free Money
When you think of the behemoths of casinos and gambling in the US, one name stands out from the pack. Caesars. While once the only way to experience Caesar was to visit Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, now you can experience Caesar’s brilliance with their online sports betting site. Plus, if you use code GUSAFULL when signing up, you’ll get up to $1,250 back if your first bet fails with Caesars promo code. Rewards and tier points will be also added in your account as an introduction to their rewards scheme.
Additional free money bonuses run weekly, catering to the most popular events going.
Caesars sportsbook is available in AZ, CO, IN, IA, IL, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV, & WY.
BetRivers App: $500 in Free Bets
With BetRivers, simplicity is key. That’s why there are no minimum odds that apply to your bets, nor are there any sort of ludicrously high playthrough requirements. Instead, it’s a simple risk free first bet of $500.
The only exception is for New York, whose offer is capped at $100. Just make sure to use the promotional code SPORTS when registering your account to get the BetRivers bonus.
With BetRivers you get one of the largest collections of free money betting bonuses. You can locate these under the promotions tab, including the renowned BetRivers refer-a-friend.
BetRivers online sportsbook app is available on both Androids and iOS devices for residents in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, PA, VA & WV.
FanDuel App: $1,000 Free Betting
The number one sportsbook in the US is now looking to strengthen its grasp on the top spot by offering new customers a $1,000 risk free bet offer as part of the FanDuel No Sweat First Bet Promo. It’s as good as it sounds.
For the FanDuel’s welcome bonus, there are no promo codes required. Just sign up via our links, and if your first bet loses, you’ll be reimbursed up to $1,000 in free bets. Simple.
FanDuel also runs free to enter contests, odds boosts, and free bets for selected events. Check out their promotional tab to see the latest free money betting opportunities on the FanDuel app.
FanDuel sportsbook is available in AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY.
How to Get Free Money on Betting Apps
With almost $5,000 in free bets on offer between the above five sites, the inevitable question will arise. How do I start? The process itself is simple; however, with thousands of dollars on the line, we’ve decided to take you step by step to ensure that you get the advertised offers without any fuss.
- Using our secure links, navigate to your chosen free money betting app.
- Depending on the site you choose, the homepage will differ — though what you’re looking for is the “Register” or “Sign Up” button which you’ll need to click.
- This first page is where the magic happens. So enter in your email, as well as your desired username and password before typing in the promo code. If you chose a sportsbook that doesn’t require a promo code, then leave this field blank. Once that’s done, click “Next”.
- As online sports betting is restricted to certain states and ages, you’ll need to provide information to verify your identity per the sportsbook’s KYC (Know Your Customer) policy. When you’re typing in your name, make sure to enter it exactly as it appears on your photo ID, as any mistake will cause delays when it comes time to withdraw. Once that’s done, click “Next”.
- Next up is verifying your location. While all good sportsbooks are available on both Androids and iOS devices, for registration, you’ll want to do it from home and via your computer. This is because the sportsbooks’ geo-location tools will automatically confirm if you are currently at the address you provided in the previous step, and if you’re not, your account may be flagged. Once that’s done, click “Next”.
- Once that’s all done a confirmation message will be sent to your email. Click the link inside, and your account will now be secured.
- Registration is now done. Though chances are if you’re signing up, you’ll want to place a bet, so the next step is to go to your account page and select “Deposit”.
- While depositing options will vary between sportsbooks, there are a few which you’ll always find, like Skrill, Paypal, credit/debit card, Apple Pay, and bank transfer. Select your preferred option, make sure the bonus is selected (if required) — then choose how much you want to deposit.
- That’s it. Deposits are completed instantly, so you’ll now be able to browse the markets and place the bet of your choice.
- And the free money will be showing in your account, too, if you follow each of these steps correctly.
Betting App Free Bet Bonuses for New Players
Free bet bonuses come in many forms. If you’re new to online sports betting some of these terms may seem confusing, but don’t sweat it. Because in this section, we’ll cut through the lingo and tell you what they mean.
- Deposit Bonuses — Sometimes referred to as deposit matching, deposit bonuses are a type of bonus where a sportsbook will match your first deposit to a certain percentage. While online casinos sometimes will match a first deposit 100%, as sports betting has a higher skill edge, sportsbooks will typically need to be more cautious in what percentage they agree to match. However, that doesn’t mean they’re going to short-change you. Just look at DraftKings, who gives new users up to $1,000 as a 20% matched deposit bonus.
- Risk Free Bet — Risk free bets are the most popular welcome bonuses offered by US sportsbooks, and for good reason. Players love them. With these bonuses, you essentially get insurance on your first bet. So whether you want to go for a Hail Mary, or a fixed odds wager a little safer — you can rest easy knowing that even if your bet doesn’t come off, you’ll at least break even. BetMGM offers a $1,000 risk free bet when you sign up using code GAMBLEUSA.
- Free Rewards Points — While free rewards points are generally considered a lesser welcome bonus, the good news is that they’re typically partnered with one of the other types of bonuses. The benefit of these sorts of bonuses is that they reward players for becoming returning customers, so if you think that might be you — don’t sleep on these sorts of bonuses. Currently, Caesars sportsbook offers 1,000 free tier credits & reward credits on top of their $1,250 risk free bet when you use code GUSAFULL during registration.
Betting Apps with Free Money for Account Holders
But it’s not just new customers that can look forward to free money, because the top sports betting apps understand that maintaining their current customer base is just as important as attracting new customers. Unlike the above, these offers are usually time sensitive. As such, the best way to keep on top of these promotions is to keep an eye on the promotions page at your favorite online sportsbooks. These offers are usually a little different from the ones for new customers. However, they’re just as good.
- Parlay Protection — There’s nothing worse than seeing your parlay fall short of its final leg. Thankfully most betting sites realize this, so if your parlay falls one leg short in any of the major American sports, you may be able to get reimbursed. While you’ll still be hurting, this bonus does take a bit of the sting away. As of writing, it’s football and soccer betting season, and FanDuel is celebrating by giving all customers $25 insurance on same game parlays.
- Risk Free Bets — Just like the welcome bonuses, risk free bets give returning players insurance on a fixed odds wager. The main difference between the risk free bets offered for returning customers and new customers is that for returning customers, these promotions are typically restricted to a day, a week, or even a specific game. But hey, they’re free money for existing bettors. Currently DraftKings is insuring any NFL bets played over the weekend for up to $10.
- Missions — Win free bets by making bets. That’s the motto of mission-based bonuses. These bonuses are very specific, requiring you to make a real money bet on a specific sport or game. But in return, they give you real money whether you win or lose. BetMGM is king here, as they’ll give you $5 per mission completed with an additional $25 awarded when you complete all five of your missions.
Pros & Cons of Betting Apps that Offer a Risk Free Bet
Still undecided on whether you want to go for a risk free bet? That’s fine. While risk free bets are a pretty great bonus, to suggest they’re perfect would be a lie. So in this section, we’ll go through the good and the bad so that you have all the information you need to make an informed choice.
Pros
- Massively Profitable — If you know how to use these bonuses, it can be like printing money. For example, if you bet on games with even odds exclusively, you’ve got a 50% chance to win, a 25% chance to break even, and only a 25% chance to lose. Do the math with the FanDuel $1,000 risk free bet offer, and you’ll see that even without any extensive sporting knowledge, the expected profit when taking full advantage of this offer is $250.
- Great Opportunity to Try New Sports & Bet Types — If you find yourself intimidated by the sheer number of betting markets available, this is the perfect opportunity to get your head around it. Try betting the spread, or bet on an individual player — and if you usually only bet on football, give basketball a try. It’s the beauty of a risk free bet. If things don’t work out, you’ll be compensated the full amount of your bet.
- Perfect Chance to Try New Sites — These offers aren’t exclusive to one another. So try them all. Just because they’re valued at up to $1,250 doesn’t mean you have to deposit the full amount for each site. Put $50 on each of them, and see which site you prefer for yourself.
Cons
- Free Bet Only Pays Out Profit — When you’re awarded a free bet after losing your initial bet, it’s important to note that any winnings you’ll make from your free bet will not include the stake itself. As an example, if you bet a $200 free bet on a game that is usually paying 2:1, you’ll only get $200 back (Total Winnings – Value of Risk Free Bet = Actual Winnings).
- Have to Read Terms & Conditions — With each site having different playthrough requirements, it’s imperative that you read the term & conditions so you know what you’re getting into. And to call these pages boring would be an understatement. But if you want these risk free bets, it’s something you have to do.
Do Betting Apps Really Give Away Money?
Yes and no. Do they hand you instantly withdrawable cash without any strings attached? No. Do they give keen and observant punters a way to make money with minimal risk? Yes.
As mentioned in the above section, you need to read the terms & conditions of any bonus that you plan to accept, as only by reading it can you truly understand the finer points of any given bonus. Some bonuses are time-sensitive, others have large playthrough requirements. And while it may be a little dull, any serious sports bettor needs to put in the time to understand what it is they’re agreeing to and what is expected of them.
Further, it’s important to note that while terms like “risk free” may be thrown, these terms only apply to the initial bet — and any subsequent do come with legitimate risks. As such, you should never bet with more than you can afford to lose.
So in short, if you’re looking for a get-rich-quick scheme that requires no study, this isn’t for you. But if you’re the analytical type and are willing to spend some time reading through the fine print — then these offers are as good as free money.
Compare Betting Apps & Their Bonuses
| 🏈Sportsbook | 🎁Bonus | 📜Promo Code | 🇺🇸 Available States | ⭐Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | 20% First Deposit Match Up To $1,000 | - | AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY | 9.5/10 |
| BetMGM | $1,000 Risk Free Bet | GAMBLEUSA | AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, MS, NJ, NV, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY | 9/10 |
| Caesars | $1,250 Risk Free Bet | GUSAFULL | AZ, CO, IN, IA, IL, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY | 9/10 |
| BetRivers | $500 Risk Free Bet ($100 in NY) | SPORTS | AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, PA, VA & WV | 9/10 |
| FanDuel | $1,000 Risk Free Bet | - | AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY | 8.5/10 |
FAQ’s
Can You Get Free Money Playing at Online Sportsbooks?
Yes. However in the interest of transparency, this free money does come with a few strings attached. Typically the free money is either awarded either as a risk free bet or a first deposit match. Either way, the player will need to do a little work before they can withdraw their free money.
How do Risk Free Bets Work?
With a risk free bet, if your initial bet doesn't win, you'll be reimbursed the full amount (up to a max limit) in the form of a bonus free bet.
How Does First Deposit Matching Work?
First deposit matching work by the sportsbook matching your first deposit with bonus money. As an example, with the DraftKings 20% first deposit match, if you deposit $1,000, you'll be awarded $200 in unlockable free bonus money.