Football and betting are widely considered to go hand in hand, unlike almost anything else, other than perhaps football and having one too many pints, adding another reason for spectators to become invested in the action. To help entice punters, many bookmakers offer a range of bonuses and promotions to encourage newbies to join the action and give the world of online betting a whirl. Even if you’re a seasoned bettor, these bonuses can be a great way to maximise winnings and increase the chances of ending the night with a decent payout.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most common forms of online gambling bonuses for football fans wanting to take their game to the next level.
Welcome Bonuses
Welcome bonuses are easily among the top 10 UK casino bonuses for football fans. This type of offer is designed to encourage new players to create an account by providing a bonus in the form of free bets, matched deposits or free hits.
Here is a bit more information about the more common welcome bonuses:
- Free Bets: Very simple and provides players with tokens or coins that typically need to be wagered several times before they can be withdrawn.
- Matched Deposit Bonuses: Helps players get better value for money by matching whatever a player decides to deposit (up to a certain amount).
- A Free Hit: Risk-free wager offered to players – this can help newbies find their feet without the pressure of having to risk their money.
Before deciding on a signup bonus, remember to check the terms and conditions, as players may need to use a specific link or enter a code at some stage during the process, or the bonus may not arrive.
Reload Bonuses
While these welcome bonuses are a great way for casinos to appeal to new players and those with little experience, reload bonuses are better aimed at existing players. It’s far cheaper for businesses to retain customers than attract new ones, which is why these reload bonuses can be extremely lucrative if managed correctly.
The key features of these reload bonuses can include:
- A player’s deposit being matched, anywhere from 10% to 50%.
- Free bets being awarded if a player deposits or stakes a certain amount.
- They are often linked to certain times of the week, such as weekend reload bonuses.
- Free wagers linked to key events, such as cup finals or other big-ticket fixtures.
Players wanting to get the most out of these bonuses should read the terms and conditions and check for the lowest wager required to unlock the best possible bonuses – this can make them much more valuable.
Enhanced Odds
Enhanced odds might not be a bonus in the same sense as the others but they can still be highly lucrative as long as players are smart about their choices and play the bookmakers at their own game. They work by offering players improved odds for a limited time and are often linked to specific matches or tournaments, such as the Champions League Final or the final matchday of the Premier League season.
Although relatively simple, this is how boosted odds typically work in reality:
- A high-profile match, such as the Old Firm, will have the odds of Celtic winning at 2/1.
- Existing customers will be able to place a bet with the odds increased to 5/2.
- The increased odds would increase potential winnings for the bettor.
- Winnings from these boosted odds matches are usually paid as normal but may be credited to bonus funds.
- These bonus funds can’t be withdrawn immediately and would need to be rewagered.
Players can use betting aggregates to check which odds are best and whether any casinos are running any enhanced odds promotions that can increase the potential winnings for the player should their bet win.
Accumulator Bonuses
Accumulators have become incredibly popular in recent years, with ‘accas’ now being the go-to choice for many casual bettors wanting to try and win big. These are designed to include multiple matches (or legs) on a single bet, with each result needing to win to pay out. Some casinos run promotions around these accumulators, making them even more appealing to players wanting to try their luck.
One of the most common ways for casinos to incentivise these bets is to offer boosted odds for accumulators over a certain size, increasing in odds after three, five or 10 matches. This gives players more of a reason to add more games as they could win even more, although, on the flip side, each extra match increases the odds of the bookmaker winning.
Another thing we’ve seen added to this in recent years is insurance on an accumulator. This works by giving players a free hit on one game, so if they have nine bets that win but one that loses, there’ll still be a payout. This can give bettors peace of mind and ease any nerves arising from having so many matches on a single bet.
Final Thoughts
With bettors having so many choices to explore, it’s understandable that it can be overwhelming. By taking your time and carefully checking the terms and conditions of each bonus before committing to any, you can ensure that you get the best possible bonus and have the greatest chance of increasing your winnings.