Visit: BetRivers and get a $250 deposit match
The BetRivers app is one of the most popular online sportsbooks in the US. A big reason for that is the simple fact that it’s available in most states with legal online sports betting. But with our BetRivers promo code, this app also offers one of the best bonuses in the industry.
The BetRivers app could be improved. In fact, the desktop version is a more reliable platform than the app itself.
Still, the odds are competitive, and they offer a large selection of bets. As a result, savvy sports bettors can get a lot out of cashing in on our BetRivers promo code. We rank the BetRivers App on a variety of factors, offering scores up to 10 points.
DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code 2021 New players to DraftKings Sportsbook can take advantage of a 20% deposit match bonus up to $1000. There is a 25X playthrough. In most cases, sportsbooks will put a cap on the bonus amount a player is eligible for. This is to restrict larger depositors from getting potentially massive bonuses that would destabilize the books if placed on one bet. Generally, the higher the percentage of the bonus, the lower the maximum sportsbook bonus will be.
BetRivers Bonus Code & Promotional Offers (10/10)
Use the BetRivers Sportsbook promo code: 250Match to double your first deposit up to $250. Make sure to use the code along with our exclusive Betrivers link to unlock the bonus.
BetRivers Bonus Code | 250MATCH |
Type Of Bonus | 100% Deposit Match Up To $250 |
Terms And Conditions | 1x wagering requirement (best in the industry) |
Available States | CO, IL, IN, IA, MI, PA VA, & NJ (Under SugarHouse brand) |
Promo Code Verified For | February 2021 |
BetRivers offers a new player bonus offer of a 100% deposit match bonus up to $250. The wagering requirement is also 1x the deposit and bonus, meaning you just need to bet the full amount one time before you can withdraw. All bets with odds -200 or longer qualify for the wagering requirement.
The minimum qualifying deposit for this and most BetRivers Sportsbook promotions is $10. To receive the maximum bonus, you must deposit $250, and they’ll add an additional $250 in bonus money to your account.
Maximum Bonus Amount. In most cases, sportsbooks will put a cap on the bonus amount a player is eligible for. This is to restrict larger depositors from getting potentially massive bonuses that would destabilize the books if placed on one bet. Generally, the higher the percentage of the bonus, the lower the maximum sportsbook bonus. A match bonus is when an online sportsbook matches your first deposit up to a certain amount. For example, BetRivers offers a 100% first deposit match up to $250, where if you deposit.
The BetRivers Sportsbook promotions will vary a bit depending on the state. For example, they offered up to $500 in free bets when they launched in Iowa. But many times, the same BetRivers Sportsbook promo codes work in every state it’s available.
BetRivers also offers ongoing promotions and bet boosters to current bettors. For example, the NCAA men’s basketball “Profit Boost” promo increased win potential by 20% for all BetRivers members.
All real-money bets placed also contribute to the iRush Rewards loyalty ladder, where the more you wager, the better your BetRivers Sportsbook promotions become. The sportsbook also offers a BetRivers Refer-A-Friend program.
BetRivers Online Sportsbook Features (8.5/10)
The BetRivers Sportsbook betting markets encompass all major US professional and college sports as well as international competitions. For example, they’ll list bets for NCAA basketball, the NFL playoffs, and English Premier League soccer simultaneously.
You can also find motorsports, fighting sports, golf, tennis, cycling, and beyond. In some states, BetRivers will offer bets on the Olympics, but that’s illegal in others.
Really, the BetRivers sportsbook betting markets are limited only by state regulations. If a state allows prop bets on in-state college schools, BetRivers will make that bet available. If the state restricts that form of bet, you won’t find it on the BetRivers app specific to that state.
Live Stream Feature
BetRivers allows you to live stream several different events, which is particularly useful for local college games and international sports that may not be available via your regular television provider. Most of what’s available throughout the BetRivers Sportsbook betting markets are available for live stream, making for some great in-game betting excitement.
iRush Rewards
Whether you bet on one sport or across the different BetRivers Sportsbook betting markets, every real-money bet of $10 is a point added to your iRush Rewards progress.
You’ll see your iRush Rewards progress bar at the top of the app when you’re logged in. When you’ve reached 40 points, you get access to a selection of exclusive bonus offers, and the rewards improve from there.
If you reach the VIP level, you receive luxury gifts, invitations to events, and other special treatment.
House Specials
House Specials have their own section among the BetRivers Sportsbook betting markets, and they usually involve parlays and prop bets with enhanced odds. They’ll also offer special prop futures you can’t find anywhere else.
The House Specials feature at BetRivers is worth checking regularly.
Quality Of Odds Lines At BetRivers (9/10)
BetRivers offers lines that stack up to its competitors in most states. At the time of writing this BetRivers app review, the 2021 NFL playoffs were underway. Here’s how the points spread of two games compared across the legal sportsbook options:
Playoff Games | BetRivers | DraftKings | FanDuel | William Hill |
---|---|---|---|---|
LA Rams | +6.5 (-106) | +6.5 (-106) | +6.5 (-105) | +6.5 (-105) |
GB Packers | -6.5 (-115) | -6.5 (-115) | -6.5 (-115) | -6.5 (-115) |
BAL Ravens | +2.5 (-110) | +2.5 (-110) | +2 (-110) | +2 (-110) |
BUF Bills | -2.5 (-110) | -2.5 (-110) | -2 (-110) | -2 (-110) |
You can see that the BetRivers lines are identical to what’s offered at DraftKings, and comparable to FanDuel and William Hill, although the latter too edged out their competition in this instance.
The reason points spreads aren’t double or nothing (+100) is because sportsbooks charge a “vig,” or a fee for taking bets. For the LA Rams vs. Green Bay Packers game, BetRivers and DraftKings charged a 4.94% vig while FanDuel and William Hill charged a 4.71% vig. That’s a margin of 0.23%.
However, for the Baltimore Ravens vs. the Buffalo Bills game, the half-point hook added to the DraftKings and BetRivers lines essentially puts the vig at 6.98% when you compare it to the lines at FanDuel and William Hill, which would be 4.76%. That means you’re paying 2.22% more with the DraftKings and BetRivers lines.
But the lines at BetRivers will often beat out FanDuel and William Hill, so it’s always smart to check the different online sportsbooks to find the best lines before placing a bet.
BetRivers Sportsbook App Design (6/10)
BetRivers iOS App
BetRivers mobile betting includes an iOS app in most states where it’s available. But there is no BetRivers iOS app for Indiana, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania. And in the states that do have the BetRivers mobile betting app for iOS, it’s rated poorly, with users complaining that the app quits unexpectedly and regularly freezes.
BetRivers needs to fix its iOS situation. In states that allow mobile betting apps, the vast majority of wagers are placed on mobile devices. And iOS devices are the most common.
BetRivers might be struggling because it needs to develop a new app in each state and can’t keep up with its staggering growth during 2020. They could fix this problem by offering a single app in every state. Regardless, there’s really no good excuse for this in 2021 and we are watching for them to approve.
BetRivers Android App
Thankfully for Android users, the BetRivers mobile betting experience is far better. BetRivers enters every state with an Android app ready to go, and you can download it directly on the website. Simply visit the BetRivers site specific to your state using your Android device, then follow the steps.
BetRivers Sportsbook Site
If most sports bettors preferred to wager on their desktop, BetRivers wouldn’t have a bad score in this category. In fact, the BetRivers mobile betting experience is good if you simply bet on the BetRivers website using the web browser app on your iOS.
It’s not ideal, but it’s a stable, reliable, and well-designed platform for iOS users.
Download Ease For BetRivers App (8.5/10)
BetRivers Android App
It’s easy to download the BetRivers Android app. Visit the BetRivers website for your specific state and download the app directly from there.
Google Play does not list gambling apps, so you’ll need to allow downloads from third-party sources to receive the BetRivers app.
BetRivers iOS App
When you visit the BetRivers website specific to your state, they’ll have a link to the iOS app at the bottom of the page if there’s one available. You can also search the App Store directly, but make sure to download your state’s BetRivers app. For example, “BetRivers Illinois” won’t let you wager unless you’re physically inside the state.
Register With The BetRivers Promo Code
You can create an account, make a deposit, and utilize your BetRivers promo code in the same step-by-step process.
- Click the “Join Now” button.
- Create a screen name, enter your email, and create a strong, unique password.
- Enter your exclusive BetRivers promo code from Gaming Today.
- Add all the requested personal information, and make sure it matches your ID, as you may need to verify your identity.
- Choose your preferred deposit method. Some states, like Iowa, restrict credit card payments. Others accept all types of deposits, including credit cards, PayPal, online bank transfer, and even cash at a partnering casino cage.
With cash and bonus money in your account, you can place any combination of bets as long as the odds are -200. Otherwise, it won’t contribute to the 1x wagering requirement tied to the BetRivers promo code.
To place a bet at BetRivers, click the line you like, then add the amount to your betslip. The app or website will automatically calculate how much you stand to win. Then submit the bet. (It’s even easier than it sounds.)
Availability Of The BetRivers App (9/10)
BetRivers Sportsbook Availability
The BetRivers Sportsbook website and Android app are available in the following states:
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- New Jersey (as PlaySugarHouse)
If you’re set to the wrong state when you visit the site, use the dropdown on the upper left corner of the homepage to switch to your state. To wager at BetRivers, you must be within state lines. However, you can join, deposit, and cash out from anywhere in the country.
For sports bettors in the Garden State, BetRivers New Jersey is reskinned as PlaySugarHouse. But despite the different name, it is the same platform.
The most recent additions to that list are BetRivers Iowa, BetRivers Michigan, and BetRivers Virginia, each of which launched in January 2021.
BetRivers iOS App
BetRivers Colorado and BetRivers Illinois offer an iOS app. The BetRivers Iowa sportsbook app needs too much work, and we strongly suggest playing the browser version instead.
BetRivers Pennsylvania, BetRivers Michigan, and BetRivers Indiana do not have iOS apps. Neither does PaySugarHouse New Jersey.
So while BetRivers is technically available in PA, NJ, and IN, it’s inaccessible if you exclusively bet via iOS apps. A web browser is the best option for access in these states.
Is BetRivers More Available Than Most Sportsbooks?
BetRivers is among the most available sportsbooks in the US. BetRivers Colorado and BetRivers Indiana stay highly popular despite such competitive markets. BetRivers was the first sports betting app to launch in Illinois and still remains popular with Illinois bettors.
The lack of an iOS app also hasn’t stopped BetRivers Pennsylvania and PlaySugarHouse New Jersey from doing extremely well, and those are the two biggest sports betting states after Nevada.
The only online sportsbooks available in as many or more states than BetRivers include:
- FanDuel
- DraftKings
- PointsBet
- William Hill
If you’re in a state with online sports betting, there’s a good chance that most or all of these options are available. For example, BetRivers Pennsylvania, BetRivers Indiana, and BetRivers Iowa share a state with all of the above.
But the comparable brands are a small portion of the total number of legal online sportsbooks in the US. Even big brand names like Caesars Sportsbook, FOX Bet, and Barstool Sportsbook are only available in a small number of states.
BetRivers Sportsbook App Overall (8.5/10)
A careful review of the Rivers Casino sportsbook app revealed a solid option for sports bettors, with competitive odds and a deposit match bonus offer with a 1x wagering requirement.
However, our BetRivers Sportsbook review identified a few areas where this platform falls short, particularly their lack of a reliably available iOS app.
So, if you’re willing to take the great with the mediocre, you can have a highly enjoyable experience with the Rivers Casino sportsbook app.
Why You’ll Like It:
- Best welcome bonus in US sports betting
- Great terms and conditions on bonuses
- Competitive odds
What Could Be Improved:
- iOS app is either unavailable or low-quality
- Uncreative features
- Different app for every state
BetRivers App General Review
Deposit And Withdrawal
BetRivers offers different banking methods depending on the state. As an example, BetRivers Illinois offers the following deposit options:
- Credit/Debit Card, the easiest and most popular option, especially if the information is saved to your device.
- Online Banking (ACH), where you log in to your banking account directly through the BetRivers app or website to transfer money to and from your sportsbook account.
- PayPal, which you need to use for deposits if you want to also use it for withdrawals, according to BetRivers policy.
- PayNearMe Locations, such as Walgreens, CVS, and 7Eleven.
- Cash at casino cage, which is usually a Rivers Casino location.
- BetRivers Play+ Card, a web wallet offered by BetRivers.
For withdrawal methods, the options get a bit more limited, as you can’t use PayNearMe or credit and debit cards. At BetRivers Pennsylvania, you can cash out using:
- Online Banking (ACH)
- Cash at casino cage
- PayPal, but BetRivers only allows this as a withdrawal method if it was used for deposits.
- BetRivers Play+ Card
- Check by mail, which may take up to two weeks to get to you.
BetRivers Customer Support
BetRivers offers great online chat support that you can utilize even before making an account. Just make sure to specify which state you’re contacting about using the dropdown. This is available via mobile app and through the website.
For less urgent matters, you can also send them an email.
BetRivers Licensing
Here’s how the BetRivers Sportsbook is positioned across the United States:
- BetRivers Colorado is licensed by the Division of Gaming through a partnership with McGills Hotel and Casino in Cripple Creek, where you can also visit the retail BetRivers Sportsbook and bet in-person.
- BetRivers Illinois is the Rivers Casino sports betting app, which is licensed through the Illinois Gaming Board and located in Des Plaines.
- BetRivers Indiana is licensed by the Indiana Gaming Commission through a partnership with French Lick Resort, which has its own retail sportsbook separate from BetRivers.
- BetRivers Iowa launched on January 1, 2021, the moment the in-person registration requirement expired in the state. You can also bet in-person at Rivers Casino in Riverside, and both the retail and online BetRivers are licensed by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
- BetRivers Michigan launched in January 2021 as an online sportsbook and casino with the approval of the Michigan Gaming Control Board, and a retail BetRivers sportsbook is located at Little River Casino Resort.
- BetRivers Pennsylvania and PlaySugarHouse Pennsylvania (essentially the same) are licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to offer both casino games and sports betting, as well as a retail sportsbook inside Rivers Casino Pittsburgh and Rivers Casino Philadelphia.
- BetRivers New Jersey is actually PlaySugarHouse New Jersey, but you can expect the same welcome bonus, iRush Rewards program, and even the same odds. It’s licensed through the Division of Gaming Enforcement.
BetRivers Sportsbook App FAQs
Yes. BetRivers is a legal online sportsbook available in seven states. These states are Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Pennsylvania as well as New Jersey as PlaySugarHouse. You must be physically located in one of these states to wager at BetRivers, and the app will not accept bets placed from unlicensed locations.
Yes, BetRivers offers an iOS app for three states. Through the App Store, you can download BetRivers Colorado, BetRivers Iowa, and BetRivers Illinois. All BetRivers iOS apps are poorly rated in the App Store, and some users find a better experience betting via web browser. It is likely that BetRivers will continue to launch its Apple iOS app in other states.
Yes. BetRivers offers an Android app in all states where the online sportsbook is available. Visit the BetRivers website, choose your state using the dropdown, and use the download link at the bottom of the page (if the site doesn’t automatically prompt you to download). The BetRivers online casino games are available on a separate Android app, which you can download from the Casino section. This casino app is only available in states with legal online casinos, such as Michigan.
Yes. The BetRivers Casino app is available exclusively for Android users and can be played in Pennsylvania and Michigan. The same app, reskinned as PlaySugarHouse Casino, is also available in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Bettors in those states can also bet on BetRivers (or PlaySugarHouse) online casino games using the web browser app on their computer or iOS device.
250MATCH. Use BetRivers promo code CODE and the sportsbook will match your first deposit by 100% up to $250. You can receive the promotion with a deposit as low as $10, and you can complete the 1x wagering requirement with any combination of bets as long as the odds are -200 or longer. That means points spread betting is fair game.
Yes. BetRivers is a legitimate online sportsbook that’s legally-licensed in a half dozen different states. In each state, they are licensed and regulated by a government agency. They will not accept bets from anyone located outside of their legal jurisdictions or bettors under the age of 21. The BetRivers app and website utilizes the latest SSL encryption security to ensure the utmost in user safety.
Sportsbooks maintain consistent profits by offering players less than true odds on their wagers. But the “juice” is small enough that a savvy player can find ways to temporarily turn the book’s advantage on its head.
One of the most effective ways to do this, that doesn’t require advanced statistical modeling, arbitrage or chasing stale lines, is by taking advantage of promotional offers.
Unfortunately, brick & mortar books don’t exactly offer tons of promos. Not so online, where players can find a wealth of lucrative promos that run the gamut from free bets to deposit matches and bet protection. With Indiana now offering online sports betting, players from the Hoosier State now have plentiful opportunities to claim these offers, and by extension, rake in some extra cash.
Read on to learn all about how Indiana online sports betting sites are weaving in bonus codes, promos, and welcome packages as part of their offerings, and learn how promos work and which ones provide the best value.
Best Indiana sportsbook bonuses
$2021 Risk-Free Bet
- Use Code: HSBRF
- Competitive Pricing
- Win Big on Player, Game Props
- Most Experienced Bookmaker
$600 Risk-Free Bet
- Use Code: HSB600
- Tons of Promotions
- Fast Withdrawals and Deposits
- Good Media Integrations
Up To $1000 Risk-Free Bet
- Best Odds, Prices in Industry
- Tons of Props on 16+ Sports
- Speedy Withdrawals, Deposits
- Smooth, Sleek Design
$250 Risk-Free Bet
- +$20 No Deposit Free Bets
- Build Your Own Parlay Boost
- PayPal, Visa, ACH Banking
- Play on iOS or Android
$250 Bonus
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT. Playable only in Indiana. Must be 21+
- Easy to Obtain, Generous Bonus
- Simple Withdrawals, Deposits
- Unmatched Loyalty Program
- Excellent Teaser Pricing
What are promo codes are how are they beneficial?
Sometimes, in order to receive an offer, players must opt-in through the use of a special promo code (or bonus code). These typically take the form of a short word or phrase, and usually appear in all caps, “WELCOME50” or “BETNJ” being examples of what they might look like.
Sports betting promo codes are effectively coupons, except that instead of receiving a discount on a good or service, bettors win added monetary value. The most common use of a promo code is upon first registering for an online sportsbook. Most, if not all, books even integrate a promo code field into their registration forms. Here’s an example of one found at BetRivers, a legal online sportsbook in Indiana:
By entering a promo code at signup, players will earn one of the most valuable promotions they’ll ever receive at a sportsbook: the welcome package. This is often worth hundreds of dollars in added value, and should not be missed. Of course, players could just use a promo code provided by the online sportsbooks. However, our sites, and sites like this, are sometimes able to provide exclusive promo codes where the bonus amount exceeds that offered to the public.
One final note: Sometimes players looking for a bonus have an “either/or” option, meaning they can either use a promo code found on this site, or just sign up through one of the links found on this page, negating the need for a promo code. In either case, a first deposit will still generally be necessary for players to receive their full welcome package.
Indiana online sports betting bonuses: Who is eligible?
In any legal U.S. sports betting environment, there are eligibility parameters that must be adhered to, and the Indiana market is no exception. Luckily, they’re not too stringent.
Before receiving any sort of bonus in your account, you must successfully complete the registration process, and in order do so you must:
Sportsbook Bonus Codes
- Be of legal casino gambling age: In the state of Indiana, you must be at least 21 years of age to register an account. We do realize that most forms of gambling in the state, like pari-mutuel wagering, only ask that players be 18 years old, but sports betting is linked to the state’s casinos, and abide by the same age requirements.
- Prove your identity: Every account registration will be subject to a stringent verification check, put in place by the Indiana Gaming Commission. At minimum, this means supplying your full name, address, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If everything is in check, then your application will be approved and verified seconds after hitting “Submit”.
In addition to this, remember that in order to place wagers on a licensed Indiana online sportsbook, you must be physically located in the state of Indiana, and must be able to prove as much by having your location successfully geolocated via 4G or WiFi. That is not to say you have to be located in Indiana to register an account, check lines, or make a deposit — that can be done from anywhere.
Also, there is nothing in the law stating that players that don’t hold residence in Indiana are forbidden from using Indiana sites, meaning tourists to the state are free to place wagers, pending they meet the eligibility requirements.
What’s the catch with bonuses offered by IN online sportsbooks?
Just like any other for-profit operation, online sportsbooks are in the business of making money. So why would they throw hundreds of dollars at new players when it’s unknown if those players will stick around for more than a few bets?
In short, it’s a calculated risk that the books are willing to take. Remember, bonuses aren’t free money, so players can’t just claim the bonus and withdraw immediately. Instead, they’re going to have to give the book some action. How much action is dependent on the offer, with some books taking massive risks by enticing players with extremely easy to clear and lucrative offers, and others mitigating risk via more stringent terms and conditions.
The hope for the books is that you’ll sample the product, enjoy it and stick around long after your bonus funds are unlocked. Worst case scenario, the online sportsbooks now have you in their database and can market to you via email until you specifically tell them not to.
Therefore, promotional offers act as a sort of win-win for the operator and consumer. A real-life example: BetRivers in Indiana offers an extremely generous 100% match up to $250 to all new players with a scant 1x wagering requirement. The advantage for the operator is that it got a new player to sign up, which they can now market to via other, less lucrative (but still decent) offers in the future, and who might roll the dice on games regardless if there is a promo running or not.
On the flip side, players get the opportunity to turn the house edge on its head right out of the gate and will have ample opportunity to do so again throughout their life span on the book.
Indiana online sportsbook welcome bonus offers
We’re already seeing a variety of promotional offers on Indiana online sportsbooks, and based on what we’ve witnessed from similar (or equivalent) books in other markets, we can ascertain the full-breadth of welcome bonuses Indiana players can expect to see going forward.
Here’s what to expect, with an evaluation of how generous each offer type is:
No-deposit
No-deposit bonuses are the easiest bonus types to understand. They also incur the least amount of risk on the player since, as the name implies, bettors won’t have to make an upfront investment to claim this offer. The only requirement in most cases is that players successfully register an account with the online sportsbook. Do so, and the bonus is yours.
This is about as close to a handout as a bettor can expect. However, there are usually terms and conditions attached to no-deposit bonuses. For one, bettors simply cannot cash the funds out. Instead, they’ll have to use them on the site. More generous books will only require that players bet the no-deposit funds one-time before cashing out, others might require a 5x or 10x playthrough, or might insist that the funds not be cashed out until a qualifying deposit is made. As always, read the fine print.
Also, no-deposit bonuses tend to be much smaller than other bonus types, ranging from a few bucks up to about $30 – $50, with the higher sums usually attached to exclusive offers found on sites like this. No-deposit bonuses also expire, and often enough, the window for players to use these funds is smaller compared to other bonus types. Typically, players will have only about a week, but sometimes up to a month or longer to meet the wagering requirements of their bonus.
Regardless of the fine print, no-deposit bonuses should never be glossed over, as it’s impossible to lose money on them. Take advantage.
Free bets
Free bets are certainly one of the most common new player promos utilized by online sportsbooks, in Indiana and elsewhere. The concept is simple: bettors get to make a wager on the house, and any winnings from those wagers are immediately awarded as cash. Notice, we said “any winnings” as the original free bet amount is not cashable.
For instance, if a player is awarded a free bet of $200, and they wager it on Houston to win the World Series at +200, they would receive $400 for a winning wager, not $600 as if they used their own funds.
Free bets are handed out in a couple of different ways:
Best Sportsbook Bonuses
- Matched free bets: This one is common. A player will wager a certain amount, and receive a free bet of an equal or lesser amount. For instance, a promo might award a $500 free bet if the player places a $500 wager first. Look out for this very generous promotional type when a site first launches.
- No-deposit free bets: Instead of awarding players bonus funds for registering, an online sportsbook may offer players free bet wagers. They’re essentially the same thing, except free bets are almost always subject to just a 1x wagering requirement. No deposit bonuses could see 1x, but also 5x or more.
- Deposit matched free-bets: Similar to matched free bets, except the player receives a free bet just for registering. The amount of the free bet is usually low, since this option doesn’t require the bettor to make any upfront wagers.
Free bets usually have some restrictions affixed to them. Primarily, players may be forced to bet only on select markets at odds greater than -200 or -300 (+200 would be OK, -400 would not). Additionally, free bets usually have expiration dates. That being said, this is still one of the better promotion types from the player perspective.
Risk-free wagers
Risk-free wagers sound great, but they’re really just lesser versions of free bets. Unfortunately, as the legal U.S. industry matures, this promotional type is becoming more and more common, especially as part of new player packages.
How it works is players who make a deposit, and lose on their first wager, will receive a refund of the amount of their wager, up to a certain amount. So a $500 risk-free bet offer will award up to $500 if the bet loses. The problem here is apparent: Players who win their first bet don’t receive anything (beyond their winnings of course). This lies in stark contrast to free bets, where the bet is delivered win or loss.
Risk-free wagers are still decent, but they have about half the expectation of a similarly worded free bet.
Deposit matches
Draftkings Sportsbook Bonus
Deposit matches are exceedingly popular among online casinos and are gaining headwind in the online sports betting industry as well. How these work is relatively simple: Players deposit a certain amount of money, and the book matches this amount (either fully or partially) via a bonus.
Match bonuses are easy to recognize because they always follow a similar format of “x% up to $xxx”. For instance, if a book offers a 50% match up to $250, that means for every dollar players deposit, they’ll receive 50% of that as a bonus. So a $100 deposit will yield a $50 bonus, a $500 deposit a $250 bonus, and so forth. Note that because the bonus is capped at $250, $500 dollars is the optimal amount to deposit, as deposits above $500 will yield the same $250 bonus.
How good or bad a deposit match is depends on a variety of factors. Most important is the wagering requirement, which is the number of times a player must wager their bonus before it is converted to cash. For instance, a 1x wagering requirement, like the one offered by BetRivers Indiana, is awesome, because once the bonus is wagered one time ($250 in wagers on a $250 bonus), the money can be immediately withdrawn. By contrast, DraftKings imposes a hefty 25x playthrough requirement on its $1,000 match bonus, offered to new players. That’s rough.
Other factors to look out for are the match percentage, with the higher the percentage the better. The gold standard is usually between a 50 – 100% match, but some books have been known to go as high as 200%, and DraftKings Sportsbook has gone as low as 20%. The monetary cap is also important, with $500 being about average, and $1,000 exceptional. Also, be sure to check if there are expiration dates: deposit matches often expire after a certain period of time has elapsed — sometimes as short as a few days.
Super (duper) boosts
Every now and again, books will offer new players ridiculous odds on an event, like 100-1 on a team winning a game when the true odds are 1-1. Of course, the amount bettors can wager on these super boosts is usually limited to about $5, with winnings paid out in bonus wagers.
In the outlined scenario above, the new bettor will either win a $500 free bet or lose the initial $5. The pro is that players don’t have to make a big bet to claim a big bonus. The downside is that they’ll lose approximately half the time.
Breaking down promotions at IN online sports betting sites
In addition to welcome bonuses, Indiana online sportsbooks often offer recurring and one-off promotions to returning players. All of the promotional types utilized for welcome packages can also show up as returning player promos, as well as the following:
Cashback bonuses
This is a common one, and one loved by operators because it entices players to plunk down bets they might not otherwise make. It’s also a solid benefit for bettors, who have some insurance if they lose.
How this one works is the book will advertise a wager, encouraging players to make a particular bet, like who will win Game 3 of the World Series. If the bet wins, the player gets paid as usual. However, if it loses, they’ll receive a portion of their wager back as cash or a bonus bet. In this respect, cashback bonuses are pretty similar to risk-free bets, except that instead of getting 100% back (risk-free), only a portion of the losing wager is returned, say 20% or 50%.
Obviously, getting cash returned is better, but it’s more common to receive the funds as a bonus, which can be wagered on most events, and where only the winnings are returned to the player.
Discounted juice
No one likes high vigs. Just the difference between a -110 and -115 line where the true odds are 50/50 can have a damaging impact on a player’s bankroll. Luckily, some books offer promos where they actually lower the juice. Sometimes, they won’t charge any juice at all.
Look out for this kind of promo during special events, like the kickoff of the NFL or NBA seasons, or even March Madness. If you see the point spreads and totals listed at -105 or +100, it means the book is actively pushing to get players to bet on these markets, and that’s good news for you.
Loyalty programs and VIP bonuses
The difference between a book that offers a loyalty or VIP program versus one that doesn’t can be monumental, especially for frequent players.
Sportsbook Bonus Canada
Take a site like BetRivers in Indiana for instance. Players earn iRush Rewards points simply for making sports bets, which can be exchanged for bonus money with a scant 1x wagering requirement. Not to mention, players that climb the loyalty tiers (also accomplished for placing wagers), will open up a bevy of goodies, including their own VIP manager, birthday gifts, special promotions, swag, free playing devices, and much more.
Another beautiful aspect of online sports betting loyalty programs is that they are often tied to brick & mortar accounts. So those points you earn for playing online? They can be spent at a partnering casino. Or the online sportsbook may simply offer to set you up with meals, entertainment packages, and rooms at one of its casino resorts, no questions asked.
Now compare this to a book that doesn’t offer a loyalty program, and it’s pretty evident how stark the difference is. That’s not to say all loyalty programs are as good as iRush Rewards, but even mediocre loyalty programs kickback about 10% of a bettor’s theoretical loss in cash, gifts, and other luxuries. Great ones may return as much as 40-50%.
Indiana offers a fair climate for sports betting operators, with very reasonable tax rates — so we expect books to respond by being more aggressive in their promotional offers and loyalty kickbacks.
Referral bonuses
Thanks to referral bonuses, players are incentivized to tell their friends about their favorite sportsbook. But telling them won’t be enough, as first, the referring player must already be signed up with the book. Then, the referred bettor can point back to the referrer’s username (or a uniquely generated code tied to that username) at the time they sign up.
Usually, both the referrer and referred played will receive modest bonuses in the vicinity of $20 – $50 once the process is complete, and any other terms & conditions have been met. As for those terms, the most common one is that the books may require both parties to place $x amount in wagers before receiving their referral bonus.
How to eliminate the house edge through bonuses at Indiana online sportsbooks
- Read the fine print: Reading the terms is the single best way to determine if an offer is favorable or not. With the tips outlined in this guide, you should know exactly what to look for in terms of wagering requirements, restrictions, and other caveats tied to a bonus offer. For wagering requirements, a 20x turnover is OK, 10x is good, and 5x or lower is great. And remember, an offer with tons of fine print isn’t necessarily bad.
- Free bets are better than risk-free bets: A risk-free bet actually does carry some risk, in that the requirement for receiving it is to first lose money. On the contrary, free bets are awarded simply by placing wagers, or sometimes, for doing nothing. Free bets are the better choice. But in either case, remember that only the winnings from free bets, and not the initial bonus amount, will be allocated to your account if your bet hits.
- Don’t dally: All bonus offers come affixed with an expiration date, and these dates vary widely. By letting a bonus expire, you’re essentially burning money. If you don’t think you’ll have the time to fulfill a bonus requirement, you’re better off not opting in at all.
- Stack promos: Whenever possible, combine two or more promos together for maximum value. For instance, if an Indiana online sportsbook is offering -105 lines, and 50% insurance on an event, this is way more lucrative than either promo individually.
- Maximize value through research: Sometimes, a book will offer kickbacks based on a certain event happening. For instance, a promo may offer a $10 bonus for every home run an MLB team hits, in so long as you place a $50 money line wager on that team. In this case, it would benefit you to research stats like a team’s ability to hit home runs, how many home runs the opposing pitcher and bullpen give up, and whether the ballpark is pitcher or batter friendly. A little data mining can go a long way.
- Consult this website often for exclusive offers.
The point is you don’t need to be a math wizard or rely on advanced data modeling to win at sports betting — cleverly harnessing promo codes, bonuses, and promos is enough on its own. Will you make a killing using this method? No, probably not. But it’s enough to at the very least ensure that you hold on to your bankroll for much longer than you would have otherwise.
Let this site do some of the heavy lifting for you, by advising you frequently on promotional offers, but through our exclusive bonus codes and transparent Indiana sports betting site reviews.